Storm watch 2008

There is something incredibly homey about the rain(which is ironic since I am a native born californian who expects to hear about "Storm Watch 2008" whenever there is a slightly steady drizzle) . 

For some reason every time I hear rain drops patter on my window I feel the same surge of joy I feel when I lay in bed and listen to my family awake in the same house on Christmas morning. A soothing sound which in a dreamy state of consciousness washes away the busyness of everything until you are left warm and safe with nothing to hide. 

Enjoy the rain, feel warm inside, read a book, and see the light in their eyes.

Goodnight

Musical Voodoo

I am a fairly logical person. I don't always follow what is considered "standard logic" but, in general stray away from the illogical or whimsical approaches to life.     ;) 

Lately though, I have observed a somewhat strange and paranormal occurrence which I can no longer hide. 

My radio/ itunes can read my mind!

I know that this seems crazy, but seriously there can be no other explanation to the fact the music which pours from my radio/computer without fail will capture my mood or thought process without any prompts or encouragement from me. 

For example a few weeks ago when my heart was light, romancical and bright. No matter what station or ipod shuffle I played it seemed that the world was in love and good.  At one point when I realized that my incessant serenades of love might be annoying the car stuck next to me in L.A traffic( once again if you were stuck with me on the 5..... I am sorry) I tried to find something a little less cheerful and seriously I could not find a single depressing non your prince is coming song.......... really really little lady with the scowling eye I did try!

But today when the world felt a little grey and I could have used a good "ITS A LOVE STORY BABY JUST SAY YES"....... yes that is taylor swift..... hey we all have our musical vices! But no today the radio knew my mood and all it could sing was depressing life is ending or people leaving songs. I think I even tried a more hip-hoppy type station and Bleeding Love was on. 

I have tried to be logical about this whole radio mood sensor/ fortune telling, but after much study...... I have to admit. 

My radio can read my mind. 

Religious doubt

Recently I was talking to a new friend about his worldview. For him the end all of life is determined by the fates. He stated throughout our conversation that it was "the fates that took me here" and if it is meant to be "fate with take me there." My new friends approach to life is still a quandary to me. To be honest I am not completely sure who/what the fates are and what gives these entities the right to rule life, but according to his worldview they do. After seriously pondering this worldview for a time and questioning how often statement like " it is all in Gods hands" sounds to others who don't see the world from my viewpoint.  Does my faith ever/often get conveyed as cookie cutter, holiday sprinkles faith? Is there a way to live my faith in a way that I can show the co-worker who showed me the aforementioned card(I just started working there and I am pretty sure she has NO CLUE that I am a Jesus Lover) that my faith is different from the easter bunny, the tooth fairy and santa clause? 

MARY

As many of you know living in L.A you meet a lot of interesting people. Today walking to church I met a beautiful(well not according to L.A standards ) woman whose humanity touched me. Prior to going to church in Hollywood I will admit I unnerved by homelessness and poverty. I liked to GO help people, but as far as being with them... I was uncomfortable. Recently talking to a dear friend of mine about her adventures this summer I was inspired to change my interactions with  people(not just populations). As I thought about my walk with Mary this morning I realized that so often I focus on the problem of homelessness and not the homeless. It left me wondering if we can each be a part of reminding the marginalized of their worth, their humanity by asking questions and asking their names? 

People broken....we walk by..... cocooned by our exteriors so different, yet the same. I walk past you cocooned by my own busyness that I miss you, so within your daily fight to exist that you no longer reach out to exist to me. 

Mumble

I stop... what? What's your name?

Mary

I see your eyes, your pain for a moment pours through.

My heart breaks because I see YOU.

Guard up, you're still cocooned in pain... self no longer integrated. 

People stopped connecting with you years ago and you no longer see YOURSELF in our eyes. We see you as a social issue, a marginalized group, but so long ago we stopped see YOU. 

Now your story, stuck inside a mind who you don't still know, and a self lost inside a world out to get you.