I had a good band rehearsal last night, but I must admit I am a little tired today. A friend visited and we spoke of cabbages and kings and much else too. But today was a being as opposed to human doing sort of day though. Just recently I seem to be vearing between wild eyed optimism and existential dread in equal measure. is it like that for everybody? I guess it is really.
I must admit at present although many things I am involved in are going fairly well I just don’t seem to be feeling the love. Maybe it’s just all this rain that’s got me down. the world seems a bit less hopeful than it did in many ways for me as a casual observer. It’s difficult to find good news anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this century and in any century,
Our deepest hope, our most tender prayer,
Is that we learn to listen.
May we listen to one another in openness and mercy
May we listen to plants and animals in wonder and respect
May We listen to our own hearts in love and forgiveness
May we listen to God in quietness and awe.
And in this listening,
Which is boundless in its beauty,
May we find the wisdom to cooperate
With a healing spirit, a divine spirit
Who beckons us into peace and community and creativity.
We do not ask for a perfect world.
But we do ask for a better world.
We ask for deep listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– <\/a>Jay McDaniel, Professor of Religion, Hendrix College, Arkansas<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n