Everything Breaks Down Once in A While

"Everything breaks down once in a while

And you can't believe your eyes

Or trust a strangers smile

Everything you always thought you knew

Doesn't ring the same to you

Even your sky is faded through" - R.Bramblett/J.Slatten

     It seems like everything around me (including me!) is breaking down these days.  From my house & yard, to my cars, to my bike, to my knees.  Right after Christmas I learned that the Water Main running from the street to my house was leaking and had to be replaced. With my bank account $2000 lighter and a 'scar' that runs right up the middle of my yard, it's funny in that it reminds me of the 6 inch 'zipper' scar I have on my left knee from when I had broken cartilage removed some 25 years ago.  

     

     Today's chautauqua will explore some of those things that a hammer, wrench, screw driver, Home Depot, Roto Rooter, or a good orthopedic surgeon can't help us fix.   It's interesting to think that all you have to do is nothing and most things will run down, wear out, break, or just stop working. One thing I learned through my friendship with Mike Schwass, a quadriplegic since his senior year in high school as the result of a neck injury during a hockey game, is that the average lifespan for 'quads' is 5 years.  Incidentally, Mike beat these awful odds living for 35 years as a highly functioning and contributing member of society! There are many reasons for this, but the one that usually kills the physical body is the lack of use.  All machines need to be maintained and supplied with energy to work.  They also need to be 'tuned up' and cared for regularly.  The human body, possibly one of the most complex, intricate, and amazing machines EVER is no different.  The 'nerve center' or brain, which is also part of this organism & system also needs regular maintenance, tune-ups, exercise, stimulus, and above all challenges to remain healthy and working properly.  I'm reminded of my favorite bumper sticker:  

"Minds are like parachutes - they only function when open"   

      Spring is a great time to clear the clutter in our lives both physically and metaphorically.  There is a wonderful book by Brian Luke Seaward called, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart: The Taoist Path Through Stress & Spirituality where he discusses what he calls the Seasons of the Soul.  He discusses how Autumn is the Centering Process; Winter is the Emptying Process; Spring is the Grounding Process; and Summer is the Connecting Process.  Spring for me is a great time to renew many things in my life.  It corresponds conveniently with the season of Lent which adds an additional challenge for me.

     Fixing things around the house is easy, compared to the work that Lent requires.  My Christian friends are well versed with what Lent is - a time to think less about oneself, and more about their relationship with God, and those people around them.  It's about denying yourself in this life, to prepare you for the next life.  This however is not what challenges me; my struggle is more with the human beings that seem to think they can speak for God.  Nothing makes this more clear than when my parish issues the Lenten Regulations.  Hmmmm?   Regulations?  Really?  The latest and possibly biggest challenge I'm struggling with is the recent stance the Catholic church has taken on contraception.  I am finding myself fundamentally at odds with this stance.       The question I keep having to face is, how can I reconcile this hypocrisy and still remain a member of this organization? When I speak with practicing Catholics about this, they give me the standard 'party line' which is oh so unsatisfying.  It's like how they justify taking a 'pro-life' position while still supporting organizations and positions that kill people.  It may seem like I'm picking on the Catholics, but I think you could plug just about any organized religion into this discussion.
     Please don't misunderstand me, my intent is NOT to take a stance (political or religious) but rather to let you know what I'm struggling with; if I can simply get you thinking about these, and other complex issues that are important, then this was worth taking the 10 minutes to read.  My belief in God is in tact.  My belief in my fellow man is what requires some maintenance this spring.

     What are you struggling with this spring?