There's something to be said for yoga. While I've never been able to stick to it, as a routine, it always seems to replenish me when I do it. After what seems like I long week, I need reminding to focus on my breathe and stay present in the moment. Sometimes that means noticing the pain in my shoulder or exhaling all the tension in my body OR just being at peace with myself in the current state I am in, not wanting to do, rush, perform, etc.
This all reminds me of a song we sang at my multi-faith internship this summer. It was very simple but I find myself singing it or thinking it and humming while I walk. "When I breathe in, I breathe in peace. And when I breathe out, I breathe out love". Singing this brings me back to where I am supposed to be. You can't sing this song and be upset, or worried about the future, or distracted by the internet. You can only sing this with your whole heart.
So, whatever song inspires you or whatever exercise brings you peace of mind and keeps you rooted in the present, savor it.
Blessings on the journey,
G
11 November 2010
06 November 2010
Reel Nonviolence: How to Train Your Dragon
Stayed in with my family tonight, a luxury since my brother is in town visiting to celebrate my engagement. After a whirlwind party out in the 'burbs we settled in with a movie on the couch "How to Train Your Dragon". I was excited for an entertaining cartoon, but had little expectations for a take-home message. Boy, was I wrong.
This popular kids' movie really addressed violence and fear of the unknown in a moving and meaningful way. Instead of killing a never-before-seen, deadly species of dragon, a young scrawny (read: brainy) viking assists the wounded animal back to recovery, discovering friendship along the way. He had opportunity to kill the dragon and would not go through with it because he saw some of himself in what his village determined the most dangerous of beasts. In what most people feared, he recognized his own vulnerability as well as the dragon's. He takes time to get to know his enemy and make him his friend, an important message preached by most prophets and religious traditions. Amen to preaching not only nonviolence but loving your neighbor as yourself.
I am not a film critic, nor will I ever attempt to be, but I do recognize a meaningful movie when I see one. While most films condone the vigilante killing for justice, protecting the innocent, destroying the unknown, this movie reveals the mask of redemptive violence and refuses to take part (as well as entertain with funny viking caricatures). My thanks go to the original writer of the book series that spurred this film, Cressida Cowell and the wonderfully imaginative screenwriter who transformed Ms. Cowell's ideas in this film, William Davies, and writer/directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders.
This popular kids' movie really addressed violence and fear of the unknown in a moving and meaningful way. Instead of killing a never-before-seen, deadly species of dragon, a young scrawny (read: brainy) viking assists the wounded animal back to recovery, discovering friendship along the way. He had opportunity to kill the dragon and would not go through with it because he saw some of himself in what his village determined the most dangerous of beasts. In what most people feared, he recognized his own vulnerability as well as the dragon's. He takes time to get to know his enemy and make him his friend, an important message preached by most prophets and religious traditions. Amen to preaching not only nonviolence but loving your neighbor as yourself.
I am not a film critic, nor will I ever attempt to be, but I do recognize a meaningful movie when I see one. While most films condone the vigilante killing for justice, protecting the innocent, destroying the unknown, this movie reveals the mask of redemptive violence and refuses to take part (as well as entertain with funny viking caricatures). My thanks go to the original writer of the book series that spurred this film, Cressida Cowell and the wonderfully imaginative screenwriter who transformed Ms. Cowell's ideas in this film, William Davies, and writer/directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders.
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