Restless. Sojourning. Soul. Sole.

One year ago today (December 23) the Awake My Sole Iowa journey came to completion.  Crazy to think it has already been a year.

To celebrate, I trekked some miles in the frigid negative North Dakota temps.  Yes, that is frost on my hat, and yes I am wearing 3 pairs of socks interlined with plastic bags.  

This song and lyrics sum up my thoughts and feeling today.

Restless soul, turning leaf 
Tomorrows unknown mysteries 
I'm leaving here, I end up where 
Into the unknown we fly 
We said there's no time to waste 
So hand in hand we run this race 
Let's end it well 
Escape them fires of hell 
Wander all out lives 
Till we're gone 
Pick up sticks and pack your bags let's go 
Where things grow, in the hills in summer time 
Under trees and over streams we walk and we talk 
All our days, into the night 
Into the unknown we fly 

And our hearts are beating 
And our feet they've got a long long way to go 
And our souls want to shine 
Can't you feel it from your head to your toes 

Touching down we're breaking through 
To a land that seems brand new to you and me 
And God makes three 
Lost and now we're found again 
This place playin' it's tricks on me 
Help me down from a strangers tree 
There's beauty here, but I miss it there 
Trace my path in wind and snow 
Thunderstruck I've got a place in mind 
All our time in the world, is gonna pass 
Grab your hand we've got some plans to know 
Open roads, we're together at long last 
Wander all our lives, till we're gone 

And our hearts are beating 
And our feet they've got a long long way to go 
And our souls want to shine 
Can't you feel it from your head to your toes 

And I thank the Lord, for everything He's done 
And I thank my Father, for sending us His son 
And I thank that Spirit, for helping us be one 
Helping us be one, out there on the run

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"Into the unknown we fly"

"Lets end it well"

"Our feet they've got a long long way to go"

"Helping us be one, out there on the run."

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the core pillars of Awake My Sole

Run Passionately
Run Purposefully
Run with Beautiful Feet
Run with Endurance
Run towards the Goal (Jesus)

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"Oh Lord Jesus, Guide our feet into the way of peace"

Where are you being guided?
By whom?
By what?  
By what influence?  
To where?

"Oh Lord Jesus, Guide us today for your glory's sake"

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"A sojourner is a person who resides temporarily in a place."

We runners are those with literal Restless Soles, each run a temporary sojourning endeavor.  Whether it's half a mile in little time to thousands of miles in a lot of time, we sojourn.  

I can't help but think of the Christmas story, and the wise men whose feet were guided by the star.  They were sojourners, guided by God

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Just some of the thoughts in the restless, sojourning, sole, soul of mine.

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I want to Learn Amharic, What language program should I use? Foreign Service Institute (FREE), Instant Immersion ($29.95), EuroTalk (39.99), 2Speak ($35.95), etc.

After traveling to and returning from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this last May (2013), I've been determined to learn "Amharic," the native tongue.

Coffee beans being roasted during the Coffee Roasting Ceremony

I remember participating in a coffee roasting ceremony, longing to communicate with the locals.

Whenever I return I will be fluent with the hopes of being able to speak with the locals.

Every day since May I've been teaching myself the language: the 200+ symbols in their alphabet (abugida), how to pronounce the words, how to write and speak the words, some grammar and more.  

Practicing writing Amharic with a cup of coffee (the best way to learn Amharic)

Dictionary I purchased to help in translating and learning the words

The Amharic symbols, each symbol is a consonant and vowel sound

An app I've been using on my phone to help learn the language

So far, I've invested a lot of time in learning the language.  I want to invest in the next step of using a language program.  I've done some research, and found 4 software programs that will help in helping me learn this beautiful Semitic language.

Cost: $19.99 on Amazon or FREE on FSI Language

Cost: $29.95 (Level 1) or $49.95

 Cost: $39.99

Cost: $35.95 (starter) or $65.95 (complete)

I'm posting in hopes that others who know the Amharic language will comment below with suggestions, reviews or other programs that might work better. 

"a time for every purpose under heaven"

Every year each floor of my college dorm was given a theme by the floor's Resident Assistant.  One year, one of the floor's themes was "Turn, Turn, Turn."

It wasn't as fun as the "Arrested Development" or "Star Wars" themed floors, and I remember thinking "What a bizarre theme for a floor."

Looking back on it, it was a brilliant theme for a floor, however my immaturity kept the meaning at bay.

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In a recent excursion to Denver, on vinyl I acquired The Byrds' single "Turn, Turn, Turn."  The song was originally written by Pete Seger, the words originally adapted from Ecclesiastes (the Bible).

The world is turning.

A fascinatingly simple concept.

24 hours a day.

Sometimes I think we forget this.  Especially during holiday seasons.

We are rushed and busy and our 24 hours quickly goes by, taking very little time for the things that truly matter.  The things people on their death bed wish they would have spent more time on.

Family

The Divine

Not working

Outdoors

Helping others

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A friend of mine who helps direct funerals mentioned about a recent funeral, how in a family they were mourning the loss of a loved one while at the same time they were filled with joy of the birth of another.
Death and Life.  Together.

There is a time for it all.

... for babies to be born

... for people to die

For me and the Awake My Sole journey

... a time for running across Iowa for a year

... a time for resting in North Dakota

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A year ago, the Iowa Awake My Sole journey was coming to an end (the official day was December 23), and over this last year, things have continued to "Turn, Turn, Turn."

What's next for Awake My Sole?

There are some cool things on the radar, things involving mentoring and running.

For now, lets enjoy this moment, because the earth isn't stopping.  Soon our time will come.  My hope is that this life of yours and mine will be lived in a way that glorifies and honors the Creator.

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lyrics to "Turn Turn Turn"

"Turn! Turn! Turn!"
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven 

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep 

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven 

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together 

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven 

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing 

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven 

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

it "feels like" -27 out, time to UNPLUG and RUN

The beautiful state of North Dakota blesses its residents with cold temperatures every winter.  After residing here for almost a year, it seems as if every person forgets how cold it gets in the winter, and then frigid cold fronts blow in and everyone talks about how cold it is.

North Dakota alone hosts 3 of the top 25 coldest cities in America, with Grand Forks at number 2, Bismarck at number 3 and Fargo at number 4.*

running in last winter's cold temps

I enjoy the frigidly cold weather.  Each morning I've become my wife's car starter.  Today, I got to run outside.  I hope to start biking to work again.

Some call me crazy, but nothing is more thrilling than running in frigid temperatures and surviving.  So far, my survival rate is one hundred percent, lets hope that doesn't change.

Running to Orange City in frigid temps  on the Awake My Sole Iowa journey.  Post by Awake My Sole.

Every time I go out and run, it's like this little expedition I conquered.  Starting and finishing at my house, with the journey being wherever my feet take me.  In these frigid temps, I see less and less foot prints in the snow, allowing me to feel that I was one of the few who journeyed out today.

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Here are some thoughts from today's "feels like" -27 degrees run:

I should have worn a warmer hat.  Each gust of North Dakotan wind froze the sweat from my head underneath my hat.

Running is simple.  You don't need much to run.  A pair of shoes, some clothes, two hats.

Running isn't punishment.  Its such a freeing activity.  Too often, people correlate running with punishment, when in reality it should be distanced far from punishment.

Wearing plastic bags was a good idea.  Base layer wool sock, plastic bag over it, cotton sock over that, then place the shoe on.  Perfect way to keep your feet warm by keeping gusts of wind out.

Unplug and run.  I didn't run with my music today or a watch.  I love music, and I love running to music, but today I really tried focusing on my surroundings,  on the outdoors and what I was running by.  Also, with so much ice, I didn't want not pay attention and slip.  Also, when I run with limited distractions I find I have more ideas pop in my head.  Its great for brainstorming.  When I don't have a watch, or an app whispering in my ear how far I've gone, I find that the time goes by quicker.  For serious trainers this might not be a possibility.

Enjoy the moment.  Don't worry about your speed, just run.  Be free and aware of your surroundings.  Be thankful to the Creator who has you in this moment experiencing this path.

Write down any thoughts.  After a run, writing down thoughts or ideas that popped into your brain.  Many ideas for the Awake My Sole journey were formed while running.

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"When your water freezes, you know it's cold" 

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As a runner, North Dakotan and fellow advocate for ideas that better other people, I found myself inspired by this runner from North Dakota.

Anne Mahlum

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How to simplify your life into a bag

Freedom + Structure = Booyah!!!

I love setting goals (Big Hairy Audacious Goals).  I enjoy dreaming big crazy dreams.  I love to plan and prepare.   

I also love freedom and not being tied down by structure and programs.

I think I need a healthy balance of both.

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In running long distances, I have to enjoy both "free runs" and "structured runs."

"Free runs" are the ones where I have no watch on my wrist and no headphones in my ears.  Where I just run.  Through the streets and up mountainsides, often rediscovering the joy of running and being outside exerting my body.

"Structured runs" are the ones where I plan to accomplish a training task,  discipline and setting specific tasks are involved.  When completed, they are the ones that give me the "I'm really happy" feeling, however they too don't excited me beforehand.   Why?  Because they are the ones I need to exert more energy than I'm used to, where I push my body to the limit.  To become a better, stronger, healthier runnier, I need these.

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I try to incorporate both styles into my runs.

A little Freedom + A little Structure = Booyah!!!

It's like life.

For the dreams we dream, and the goals we set, to the joys we wish to experience, to searching what it means to be human, and seeking the depths of our soul.

We need both freedom and structure in our life.

Freedom to experience our surroundings, to enjoy our friends without busyness and time limits...

Structure to help us achieve what we were created to achieve, and to do it well.

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There are a lot of things I want to do, and without both freedom and structure, I won't be able to.

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at one of the stops of my trip.  did some reading and juggled the soccer ball.  

Several years ago I took 10 days on a solo trip to Canada and back.  I took my bicycle, some running shoes, some food, books and good music.

I knew I wanted to go around the great lakes, up into Canada and come back down through Niagara Falls.

I knew what my starting and ending was going to be, but I didn't know the details in between.  It made for a great 10 days.  I enjoyed it, found it to be very relaxing.

this trip provided both the freedom and structure to make a great trip.

Freedom, waking up each day exploring and visiting new places.  Stopping wherever I wanted and going for a quick couple mile jog or bike ride.

Structure, knowing my trip was 10 days long, and I had a certain place I wanted to get to.  

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we need structure.

we need freedom.

we need a healthy balance of both.

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From Rob Bell's book What We Talk About When We Talk About God

I believe God is with us,
around us,
beside us,
present with us in every moment. 

The question, then,
the art,
the task,
the search,
the challenge,
the invitation is for you and me to become more and more the kind of people who are aware of the divine presence... (p.109-110)  

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"The road goes ever on and on"

True Trail Runners: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Lord Of The Rings

Yesterday, someone asked me, "Do you like Lord of the Rings?"

I replied, "No, not really.  When I was in high school I watched the first movie of the trilogy six times in the theater, but that was about the extent of my fandom."

***I did write an earlier blog post called "What Would Bilbo Do?"
****I also collected Lord Of The Rings action figures during my fandom, I still have them somewhere

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I came across this Lord of the Rings quote when I was finishing up the Iowa Awake My Sole trek:

“The road goes ever on and on” 

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

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The last mile of the 1339 mile Iowa Awake My Sole journey.  Taken in December 2012.
Pic courtesy of Sioux City Journal 

After running and speaking across the state of Iowa for the year, I didn't get to the end of the yearlong journey, and say "I'm done with life."

I was done with this particular task, but I wasn't finished with living.  

I was merely at the beginning of something new, unknown, challenging and unexpected.

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I've seen people set a goal, work towards achieving it, and when achieved, they wrestle with "What's next?  How could I possibly set another goal, or achieve something like I just achieved?"

This road of life goes "on and on."

Where and when does it end?

Some believe it's at our last breath.  Others believe our last breath is the ushering into what's next.

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Author Donald Miller often writes about how he goes about seeking out the next adventure for his life.  He envisions the end of his life, standing before Creator God who says, "Well done my good and faithful servant."  From this envisioned encounter with Creator God, he tries to implement things that would evoke such words from Creator God.
 
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Some quotes from Donald Miller's book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life

“It wasn't necessary to win for the story to be great, it was only necessary to sacrifice everything.” 

“If you watched a movie about a guy who wanted a Volvo and worked for years to get it, you wouldn’t cry at the end when he drove off the lot, testing the windshield wipers. You wouldn’t tell your friends you saw a beautiful movie or go home and put a record on to think about the story you’d seen. The truth is, you wouldn't remember that movie a week later, except you’d feel robbed and want your money back. Nobody cries at the end of a movie about a guy who wants a Volvo.  But we spend years actually living those stories, and expect our lives to be meaningful. The truth is, if what we choose to do with our lives won't make a story meaningful, it won’t make a life meaningful either”

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music from the Awake My Sole journey

"This is Not the End" by Gungor

"Every Idea is wacky until it works."

Runners World

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Over 10 months have passed since the completion of the Iowa Awake My Sole journey.

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It was mid October, newly wed and in Webster City Iowa, as I prepared for the day, I wrestled with this question:

"What are the next steps for Awake My Sole?"

Ideas flooded my brain, but one popped in that has continued to root.

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In speaking across Iowa, a frequently asked question, "What state are you going to run and speak across next?"

Often I would respond, "Maybe my home state of Colorado or Rhode Island."  The second answer often produced some chuckles from people who knew their states.

All along I knew I wasn't going to be running across any additional states after completing Iowa, or at least not as highly invested.

You see, the Iowa journey was a yearlong "away from home" commitment.  It was risky and fun.  I met new people and host families.  The speaking and running schedule was exhausting.  It wasn't the most conducive for a newly wed who actually enjoys the ideology of "laying roots" and investing long term into a community.  I was only investing in communities for a week at a time.  It was very rewarding, especially when kids and elderly alike shared how much they enjoyed what I shared about.

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So, since I don't foresee any yearlong running adventures across others states, you might ask yourself, "Then what is in the works?  What idea popped into his brain while in Webster City?"

The answer, "Mentoring."

Making a committed investment into younger people.

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Awake My Sole is evolving... from an inspiring journey across Iowa to a program combining running and mentoring.

I don't have the nuts and bolts down, or the planning and preparation in place, but I do have a wacky and crazy idea.

I never thought I would spend a year running across Iowa, but I did, and so I'm excited to see what lies ahead.

"One step at a time."

the dream of a long distance runner living in north dakota.

the dream of a long distance runner living in north dakota.


840 miles.

*woke up early this morn.  drank some coffee.  brainstormed this outlandish idea.

dreamers gotta dream.  right?



View Larger Map


some inspiration for the morning.  enjoy!!!

News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

run with passion, purpose, beautiful feet and endurance.  run towards Jesus.  gotta run to awake the sole.

Journeyman

"Journeyman"

an album by Eric Clapton's spins on the record player behind me.

I am on a journey.  We all are.  

....

My endorphins are engaged.

Just got done doing some walking accompanied by seven minutes of light jogging.

I've been taking it easy.  My left lower leg has been causing me some pain over the last seven months.  

....

Humbling.  

The word used to explain how I'm feeling.

Last year, could run 16 hours straight; today, 7 minutes.

....

Inspired.

I read an incredible article about Scott Jurek who used his love for running to raise money for schools in Ethiopia, along with helping getting medical attention to Ethiopians. 

Seeing others create, inspires me.

....

I'm a journeyman.  

Yes, finishing is important, but what's even more important is enjoying the journey that gets you to the end. 

Watching others live their journey well inspires me to live my journey well. 

....

Is coffee BAD for runners?

Hungry Legs!!!

For all the distance runners out there.... 

Credit:  www.TheOatmeal.com

Some advice for helping your legs not be so GIGANTIC.... stop running!!!

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What do you think about when you run 40-miles?

QUESTION: Is Coffee BAD for long distance runners?

ANSWER:

"No"

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What i feel like if I don't have coffee before a run...

for some real sources of coffee and long distance running...

Runners World - 8 things you should know about coffee

Is coffee bad for long distance runner?

a runner's guide to coffee

the dangerous cycle

I haven't been able to run "well" since March.  Even going out for short quick runs has been causing strain on my left calf.

Super bummer!

Especially when 2012 was filled with running.  Running was my job, my gift, my passion.  It's what I spoke about at each speaking engagement.  

Being a long distance runner, I thought I knew what was going on with my leg, each time I would access and diagnose the situation, "Maybe it's my tendon, a hair line fracture or perhaps a muscle tear.  You know, all the running you did last year probably was the result of this."

And thus was the cycle I fell into.  I call it "The dangerous cycle of an injured long distance runner." (insert dramatic music here).

• Injury accrued.  
• Attempt to run.  
• Re-injure or strain whatever was previously injured or strained.
• Evaluate, asses and diagnose the pain as if you were a doctor.
• Attempt to run.
• Re-Re-injure or strain.
• Say you are going to "Rest." (Codeword for I'm going to bike, swim, walk, jumping jacks)
• Attempt to run.
• Re-Re-Re-injure or strain.
• ... and so on and so on  

I don't know if it is pride, ego, or unawareness; what I should have done in March was go to the doctor, but I didn't.  I thought I could fix it, and was completely naive, thinking I knew what was wrong with my body.  I mean seriously, if I could spend a year on the road, running up to 55 miles pushing a 150 gear cart, couldn't I figure out what was wrong with my lower leg?  I sustained very few injuries on the Awake My Sole journey, and now I can't even go for a 2 mile run without my leg feeling strained.

After moping and complaining about not being able to run, my incredible wife shared some words of wisdom with me, "Doctors go to school to figure out how to asses and diagnose injuries."

I gave in and finally went in to the doctor.  Six months later.

I entered the doctor's office.  At most, waited for about 5 minutes.  Filled out some forms.  The doctor asked me to walk around the office.  Observed my stride and patterns.  Put me on a bench and moved my leg, asked if it hurt when she moved it a certain way.  I told her when it hurt.  Brought me off the bench and said:

"You have a strained Peroneus Longus muscle.  You need to stop turning your left foot outwards when you run, turn it in straight ahead, and you need to walk from your heal of your foot to the toe of your foot, not to roll on the outside of your foot.  That should help."

That was it!  In less than 15 minutes, my injury was assessed, diagnosed and what the next steps for treatment were.

It's been a humbling process.

So, I've been walking 30 minutes every day with my left foot turned in.  Hope to be back and running soon, and thus blogging too.

this "thank you" goes out to Charity for assessing and diagnosing my leg.  

The Road ahead

The 1st Awake My Sole journey is complete!!!

The 1st Awake My Sole journey is complete!!!

1339 miles run.  317 speaking spots.

Start: Jan. 9th 2012 
End: Dec. 23rd 2012

20 Iowa towns on the journey:  CLICK YOUR TOWN
Ames
Bellevue
Clinton
Davenport
Des Moines
Dubuque
Fort Dodge
Grinnell
Iowa City
Kingsley
Manchester
Orange City
Pella
Sac City
Sanborn
Sioux City
Spencer
Storm Lake
Waterloo
Webster City

Jim's Top 5 Music Albums to RUN to

When it comes to Ultra Running, people often ask if I listen to playlists of music.  The answer is "Yes," however my playlists usually consist of full length albums.  When running 12+ hours, albums help sooth the time and help it go on, rather than individual songs.  Here are 5 of my favorite music albums to listen to while running.

Comment below::: What are your top 5 albums to run to?

"Joshua Tree" by U2

"I want to run - I want to hide 
I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside 
I want to reach out and touch the flame 
Where the streets have no name"

"Suburbs" by Arcade Fire

"Hey
Put the cellphone down for a while
In the night there is something wild
Can you hear it breathing?
And hey
Put the laptop down for a while
In the night there is something wild
I feel it, it's leaving me"

"Lonesome Dreams" by Lord Huron

"It's time to run, they'll string me up for all that I've done
I'm going soon, gonna leave tonight, gotta 
I did it all for you, well I hope you know the lengths I've gone to
What's a man to say? They'll be looking for me, should be on my way"

"Boxer" by The National

"We're half awake in a fake empire
We're half awake in a fake empire"

"Clarity" by Jimmy Eat World

"How long would it take me to walk across the United States all alone.
The West coast has been traumatized.
I think I'm the only one still alive."

for runners who enjoy listening to vinyl records...  OR just stick with the Ipod.   

10 Best Long Distance Running Songs HERE

Comment below::: What are your top 5 albums to run to?

We are the statues...

Allow us to begin with some thought provoking words by C. S. Lewis:

"This world is a great sculptor shop.  We are the statues, and there is a rumour going round the shop that some of us are some day are going to come to life."  Mere Christianity

Looking out over the cold North Dakota landscape, a whopping -10 wind degree temperature, drinking a large cup of hot tea, these words are stuck in my head

"Come to life" 

These words are found in the last paragraph of Lewis' first chapter of his fourth book in Mere Christianity.  They challenge and inspire me, while at the same time developing within me a deep tension as I wrestle with some tough questions:

What is the element, the spiritual force, the religion that brings humanity to life? 

Is the Christian religion a set of moral values instituted by Jesus Christ for people to uphold?  Can humanity uphold these moral views?

What does "come to life" mean?  How does one find the joy that overflows?  Can one even find that joy?  If so, how?  Or are we just waiting to be breathed into?  

Crazy, huh?  How reading one chapter of C.S.Lewis in the early morning can provoke inspiration and challenge. 

I'm often inspired and challenged by the created works of others; in this case C.S.Lewis' writings.  

I ultimately know other people's creations aren't the final work.  C.S.Lewis would be a fool if he wrote a book and claimed, "This is as good as it gets."

I could argue that C.S.Lewis is as good as it gets, but that for an other blog post, plus that would be foolish.   

Art.  

Each person is an Artist.

We've been created with an ability to Create.  How cool is that?

With each piece of art, we inspire people.  Hopefully our art inspires people in a positive way.  

Seeing someone do what they were created to do, inspiring.  

We are all artists, we are, truly.  Some people think of artists as left-brained people, not so.  Yes, left-brained people may be more inclined with drawing or making melodic noises with instruments, but everyone is an Artist.  Nature is God's canvas given to us in which we write and create our story.

Side note: I really dig this sticker:

Each person is an artist in their own respect.

What's your specialty?  

The art you are producing, is it making the earth a better place?

Do you "come to life" when you create it?