Coffee Mug Moratorium

I'm short on substance today. Long on platitudes: have a great day, pay it forward, smile, be the change you want to see, etc.

But I do have a random observation. Aren't there already enough coffee mugs in the world? I bet there are at least three in existence for every person in the United States. That would be around a billion, which seems about right. I think we should halt all manufacturing of coffee mugs and merely recycle the ones that are out there. Go to your local thrift store and pay a quarter each for mugs and give them as Christmas gifts to all of your friends and family. Include an assortment of teabags, homemade hot chocolate mix or favorite coffee.

That's it. No further observation or deep thought. Well, except that the billion coffee-mugs-out-there figure is totally made up, like probably half (also a figure I just made up) the stuff I've seen on Facebook this week. So, there is that.

 Please be honest. Make an effort to not spread lies and rumors. That's my other platitude for the day. (But I'm serious about recycling mugs.)

This is how it works

One of the things I love about living in the Ozarks is the sense of community and the abundance of generosity. There were so many festivals going on yesterday it was impossible to make the rounds of all of them. Citizens in places like Gainesville, Koshkonong and Goodhope did the hard work of organizing fun gatherings which brought people from miles around to visit with dear friends and make new acquaintances.

Also on Saturday were at least two fundraising events in West Plains. One was for Ozarks Medical Center and one was for Tanner Lager. Tanner is a 12-year-old West Plains boy who was has been battling Ewing's Sarcoma cancer for five years. You can visit the Facebook page set up for his event to find out more: Tanner's Fight Benefit. If you'd like to help, call the organizers or send a message. The money raised is to help with expenses for the family and for Tanner's wish/bucket list. It's difficult to think of a 12-year-old who has come up with a bucket list. It includes things like eating lobster, going to a Ram's game and seeing the Statue of Liberty. 

His mom told me he's a fighter and they're not giving up. They're always waiting for one more experimental study to come his way. The one he just finished failed to shrink his tumors which are now starting to invade his lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe. In the meantime he's undergoing yet another round of chemotherapy. Scores of people showed up to buy baked goods and t-shirts, bid on silent and live auction items and purchase raffle tickets.

I think of how we see the example being set by our leaders in Washington of division and strife, of accentuating our differences, which make us weak, rather than our common bonds which show our strength. I guarantee you that those gathered yesterday at the events I've mentioned and many others are of all different religious and political persuasions. And none of that mattered. We all come together to do what we can to make a difference.

The second chapter of the Book of Acts is one of my favorite sections of scripture for a variety of reasons. Verses 42-47 (with the sub-heading "The Ingathering" in my Bible) speak of the hope that comes when we live united, when we live with purpose, when we use our strengths to help make the miraculous happen.

I wish every member of Congress could have been at Tanner's benefit yesterday. I would have told them THIS is how it works. THIS is how we get things done. THIS is what makes a nation great. We work together and we don't care who gets the credit. I would have said to them as Peter preached in Acts 2, repent and ask for forgiveness.

Since the current Congress isn't interested in repenting (changing course), we have to rely on each other to do what we can, like we always have. Pray for the members of Congress. They have, almost without exception, lost their way. They are blind, they are poor in spirit and they don't know what they're missing by not working together. I hope they see the light soon.

Inspiration

Inspiration arises from many sources and situations. It produces varying results. The thought of being inspired likely brings to mind being moved to positive action and productive endeavors. Some might think about the cost or quality of food available in grocery stores and become inspired to take up gardening. Those with artistic tendencies might see the sunrise, be inspired to take up a brush and create a painting on canvas. Others might look through home decor magazines to be inspired to finally repaint their kitchen after 25 years of it being the same color with the same wallpaper border. Which describes my kitchen but I'm lacking the inspiration to renovate and I'm not seeking it. So far, I've successfully managed to stay away from the magazines with splashy photos of beautiful kitchens. 

 

Sometimes people experience circumstances which inspire them in a negative way. They are lied to or hurt and are inspired to be distrustful of everyone. They see pain and suffering in the world and are inspired to turn away because some situations are overwhelming and seem insurmountable. They see Christians behaving badly and are inspired to have nothing to do with Jesus or his teachings.

 

Inspiration from a spiritual point of view can also have different meanings for different people, but one description is that of being led by what is described as a still small voice. In a noisy world filled with distractions and fear, it is often a challenge to seek out the quiet promptings to: do and be better, be encouraged and be an encouragement, forgive and seek forgiveness.

 

We often think of inspiration as something which suddenly hits us when we least expect it and we instantly have a brilliant new plan or we're led on some exciting adventure. That does happen on occasion. More often inspiration comes because we seek it. We look for the good (or the bad) and we are inspired to respond in the way we have been accustomed to reacting. Being hurt inspires some people to hurt others. It inspires some to help.

 

I encourage all of us to seek the inspiration which comes from looking for the best in situations and in other people. Then when we see injustice, pain or need, let the best of what we know be our guide. Be inspired by quiet prompting to be kind, compassionate and loving in a loud world which needs all the peace and calm we can muster.