When I first moved to Atlanta I remember my Grandmother saying that I would be called all the time for Jury Duty. I never was. Even with all of my moves around the city of Atlanta, I was never called.
I’ve been here in NYC for almost 3 years and here I am.
It’s early. I got here early with my computer and a bag of books in hand. I figured I would be doing some reading and hopefully catch up on my on-line Journal. I was happy to find wireless internet here. It’s only be an hour and I must say the internet connection and the Diane Sawyer narrated video about the process of being on a Jury doesn’t take away the monotony.
So, I will put this time to use…
In my last entry I mention that I had two things that I wanted to share. One is a book and the other is an new album. Both have impacted my life in
The first, is a collection of meditations from Alice Walker called, We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For. A couple weeks ago I noticed the book on display and was thrilled to see that Alice Walker had something new for me to absorb. I had no idea of profoundly the book would impact my life.
I returned the book the other day and I plan on buying my own copy so I can start re-reading it and making notes. There are so many things that I would like to share – and who knows, may this stint sitting in Jury Duty will provide me the time – but the one thing that really sticks out to me is the way Ms. Walker speaks about the pause.
The pause. The ideas and moments that change your life and the world - with a decision or choice - can be found in the pause.
She writes so brilliantly about finding and embracing the pause in the world of chaos and the rush to fill our lives with more stuff.
Reading back over what I’ve just written I’m struck by how plain it sounds coming from me. I wish I could write and share with the same power as she does. Her words carry such weight. Just reading her words make me want to be a better human being. More compassionate. A stronger seeker of justice and an embracer of beauty.
So, I will have suffice with my short-comings and just encourage you to check the book out from your local library or pick up a copy at a bookstore. Your life will be enriched. I promise.
The other blessing in my life is the newest CD by Mary Chapin Carpenter called, The Calling. I’m a big fan. She’s one of the few artists whose album I will buy the day it comes out without knowing anything about. I won’t read a review or listen to snippets. Because the work is Mary’s I know I want it.
This album (I still call them that) lived up to and surpassed any expectations. This album was a healing discovery for me. Each song is layered with worth and intricate lyrics of hope, love, heartache, despair, empowerment and promise. It’s songwriting at its best.
I believe that there are some amazing life answers to be found in this recording. I talked to my friend Scott after listening to it from start to finish a couple of times. He is the one who first introduced me to Mary Chapin Carpenter while we were dating. He now lives in Toronto with his partner and I wasn’t sure if he even knew that Ms. Carpenter had a new CD out.
As I was walking to the subway I called Scott and told him about the new album. He and I both agreed that she is the kind of artist that seems to only get better with time. You don’t look back at her earlier albums and see them as her best. Her best is whatever she does next.
He asked me what I thought of the album and I said, “I believe if preachers used this album as a basis for their sermons, they would save the world…and save themselves.”
Scott replied that that was quite a review. I hadn’t planned my response but it did seem to fit the bill.
The album has gentle love songs (Closer and Closer Apart) but beyond that the album is really Mary’s commentary on life and where she is in the journey. There is a beautiful undercurrent of peace on songs like Why Shouldn’t We and the album’s title track.
She also honors “three little stars in the great big sky” (the Dixie Chicks) on the track, On With the Song. She bravely questions President and the country and the way we treat those who are different or take a different stand.
I tend to steer away from religious denominations. All too often different denominations are created…divided…subdivided based on differences. What we believe. How we believe. Why we believe. Our personal spiritual well-being is often dissected for the benefit of global church inspection.
My background, as everyone who knows me knows, is rooted deeply in church and a spiritual life. As I’ve gotten older my spiritual boundaries have broadened to be more inclusive of others with varying spiritual journeys.
I wanted to share a line or two from this song, but every time I listened to it and tried to find the perfect line or phrase – another cried out. So…I decided to share it all. This song…better yet, the spirit of this song, could change the world.
Why Shouldn’t We
Mary Chapin Carpenter
We believe things that we cannot see
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
Hands that heal can set a chained man free
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
We believe in peace within every heart
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
Burning brightly, brightly in the dark
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
Chorus
So come on darling
Feel you spirits rise
Come on children
Open up your eyes
God is all around, Buddha is at the gate
Allah hears your prayers, it’s not too late
We believe in things that will give us hope
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
Let your voice be heard, celebrate your home
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
Chorus
So come on darling
Feel you spirits rise
Come on children
Open up your eyes
God is all around, Buddha is at the gate
Allah hears your prayers, it’s not too late
We believe in things that make us all the same
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
Love belongs to all in deed and name
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
We believe that can’t be done
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
Lift up your heart, put down your gun
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
We believe in things we’re told that we can’t change
Why shouldn’t we?
We had heroes once and we will again
Why shouldn’t we, why shouldn’t we?
Chorus
So come on darling
Feel you spirits rise
Come on children
Open up your eyes
God is all around, Buddha is at the gate
Allah hears your prayers, it’s not too late
Take all of it in…or take the pieces your journey needs. Let it change your world. That’s my deepest desire.
