Love Language
My heart was moved when I saw this video. (Watch the video to the end to see why).
I am so proud of the Asian Americans who are coming together to bring social awareness and justice through filmaking. The Jubilee Project seeks to "make videos for a good cause...[and] make entertaining videos that will empower, enable, and inspire others to do good as well." Here is where a noble vision paired with creativity, talent/skills, a little initiative, and heart of compassion, meets the greatest needs of the world. This video was my morning inspiration. I cried.
To learn more, make donations, or attend one of their Spring 2011 national touring concerts visit their website.
"Works of Love" - Soren Kierkegaard
For many years I promised myself that I would one day delve into one of Soren Kierkegaard's greatest works. On a number of different occassions, I've flipped through the pages of his books in stores but would often find, quite admittedly, my eyes glazing over and my mind blurring with inked words. When 2010 rolled around I decided that I would brave the daunting task, but mental burn-out from previous years of intense work made Kierkegaard's dense theological writings a tasteless quest. Today, however, I walked into my favorite seminary bookstore with a spirit of openess saying a quiet prayer for guidance over my next read. Trying to avoid the inner nudge to walk toward the Kierkegaard section, I resistantly thumbed through much
"easier" books by Eugene Peterson, Brian McLaren, and Richard Rhor (an impressively intellegent and thought provoking Catholic contemplative). But alas, because my heart sensed that the time was finally "now," I settled on the Kierkegaard's book, "Works of Love," a timely choice given my ruminations on Love and love over the past months. Focused on the Greatest Commandment (loving God and loving one's neighbor) and 1 Corinthians 13 (the bible's "love chapter") I eagerly expect to be inspired, if not blown away, by the timeless mark of this 19th century Danish theologian, from a piece he wrote at the age of 34.
Addendum 2/21/11: I am finding this to be a very accessible book. Kierkegaard's writing is quite beautiful and my heart feels drawn into a deeper love and appreciation of God through his pen. Kierkegaard is quickly rising to become one of my favorite writers second to Henri Nouwen, and I have a feeling that his body of work will be quite influential in my life. I am finding myself longing for pockets of time to continue this read, a soulful connection with a book and author I have not found in a long time.
January 2, 2011
My Heros
Perhaps it is because I've done two eulogies in the past two months that I pause to think about the people in my life who have touched and inspired me. I was reflecting this morning particularly on those I would call "heros" or mentors, both living and dead. This is my tribute to those who have shaped my heart, thinking, worldview, vocation and life in action:
Martin Luther King, Jr > whose faith, politics, courage and conviction has often inspired me to believe that justice and social change can indeed be realized. I appreciate his extraordinary leadership, vision, oration skills and organizing tactics that flowed from a clear sense of calling and life purpose. He knew to his death that he was called to stand "for such a time as this." Furthermore, his politics of race, religion and social change has not only inspired me personally over the past 16 years, but also has impacted my own vocational work.
Henri Nouwen >Catholic priest, Christian contemplative and author whose life and books opened my heart to more deeply understand God's grace. I am indebted to his reflections in "Life of the Beloved" and am continuely refreshed time and again by his written prose in many short works. He is one of my favorite authors.
And to a lesser extent the following shaped me as a child:
Walt Disney > I did a fourth grade report to learn about the man behind the theme park. I was curious to learn about this visionary, entrepreneur, business man, and creative artist who brought and realized an unimagined dream into a material reality.
Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison > I was in the first grade when I heard about these professors/scientists, and I was struck by the brilliance and potential of the human mind, and possibilities of the unknown.
To some extent, though a to a less degree, there are parts of these heros that I find embodied in myself. And so my musing today leads me to wonder the extent to which we are externally shaped and impacted by those we call our heros (i.e. do we emulate those we esteem?), and the extent to which we are innately and interally drawn to particular persons because of how we are wired and designed from our birth (i.e. does each person become attracted to those with a similar set of talents, gifts, and interests?) I have no answer, it's just a musing. (a-musing, not amusing) :)
There have been a number of women and men who have spent one-on-one time with me in intentional mentoring relationships and to them I offer my appreciation for their encouragement, inspiration, belief and confidence in me, as well as the doors they opened along the way: DY, DN, JK, MF, PK, DP, SUF, CKN, JI, PL, DM, DI, CM, AC, JW, YY, LS. I am blessed to have had a range of beautiful, warm and gifted individuals invest in my life--I thank you. Brenda Salter McNeil's strength as a woman of color, gifted orator, and ministry/non-profit leadership has been inspirational from a distance, while her face-to-face words have provided strength and encouragement in timely moments.
My life has also been greatly touched and impacted by the following individuals:
Three pastors: KD, KF and DG > the first of whom walks the talk, models value-based living, and lives out Grace in rare form, inspiring me to live in bold authenticity; the second whose humor and out-of-the box thinking helped me to think about the church in fresh ways during my formative (spiritual) years; and the third whose sermons drove home the value of christian love week by week. Much could be said of each person here, but I simply consider myself lucky to have been shaped from the pews by those who I consider to be: three of the most powerful, gifted and influential Asian American christian leaders.
SS: I am grateful to be able to redesign, redefine and create a new expression of my life thanks to the heart and soul of this contemporary contemplative and guide who has helped me to see new ways of being in the world. I owe the second half of my life to our inspirational dialogues and wrestlings about a life lived fully, richly, deeply and soulfully.
D: Sometimes life's greatest teachers come in unexpected forms. Through a most painful church/life experience I have found much gratitude for the the opportunity to wrestle deeply about human nature, sin, grace and forgiveness. I am reminded of the importance of integrity and character in leaders and in ourselves, and have found against the backdrop of pain, the gift to rise and unearth new levels of faith, courage, power, and beauty within myself. I have a new perspective and a restored hope for christian leaders and the church. And for all of these I am most grateful.
There are of course the many friends who I have had the privedlge of sharing life's journey with. There are too many to name here, but they are each truly noted in my heart. Thank you for enriching my life and for touching the world in your unique ways.
And last, much heart-felt gratitude goes to my parents who gave me life, and whose lives marked by generosity, humbleness, open-mindedness, service, and unconditional love laid the solid foundation for who I am today. Much of their aloha spirit, eyes that see the marginalized and over-looked, coupled with who they are simply as kind and good people, has informed the most loving, gracious, warm and caring parts of my heart. And for this, I thank them immensely.
