This morning I saw several posts from @IntriguingFacts on twitter and it inspired so much thought that I both wanted to record my reflections as well as share them with you as we lay tracks for the road/journey ahead.
1. @IntriguingFacts When Beethoven went deaf,he composed his music by hacking the legs off his piano,sitting on the floor&feeling the vibrations.
My thoughts: Innovation requires adaptation. Sometimes we have to adjust the instrument to suit what appears to be a disadvantage. I recommend you check out Malcolm Gladwell’s Book David & Goliath for even more insight about how what appears to be disadvantage is actually the advantage. I love this idea because not being able to hear well, just means you modify your life so you can FEEL IT…and I imagine when other people HEAR what you have created, they TOO will feel it just like you did.
2. @IntriguingFacts A man in China used 50 years to hand-carve 6000 steps into the mountainside so that his wife could have an easier walk.
My thoughts: I mean what needs to be explained here? Hand-carve 6,000 steps. This just brings my heart to TRUTH. May I live the next 50 years of my life carving steps out of mountains to pave a road for others to take. It’s not that they are frail, it’s just that my love seeks to CREATE and enhance ability–Just for an easier walk.WOW!
3. @IntriguingFacts The farther back you sit on an airplane, the better your odds of survival in the event of a crash.
My thoughts: First, I would say…it is true in this instance, the last shall be first. LOL Being the last has its advantage, especially if you have been in the airport when they begin to call for zones and see how pushy people get trying to board the plane before everyone else and then you get on last with peace of mind, passing them by to your seat in the safety zone! It’s okay to take a back seat, even in a relationship, especially when there’s the possibility of a crash. And sometimes in relationships with people, there are crashes. Take a back seat…
4. @IntriguingFacts An old dump in California has been turned into a beach of polished sea glass by the ocean.
My thoughts: For my #2014 vision for good Livin’. Note to self- situate yourself next to WAVE-MAKERS. At times when you think what you have is a heap of rubbish, just your position and placement next to massive forces of life- People…People who have depth, immeasurable quality and volume of depth…people who leave the shorelines and go out to “NOWHERE” but always return with something from their journey different than what they left the shore with…Those relationships when they roll into shore will take your garbage heap, polish and refine what remains in you, and help you GET AS CLEAR as glass. Ocean Waves are dangerous, deadly and treacherous…but oh the force!
5.@IntriguingFacts If every muscle in ur body could pull in 1 direction,you could lift nearly 25 tons.”
My thoughts: Just go ahead and admit it…I know it’s not popular to say it: I AM STRONG!
6. @IntriguingFacts A sheep’s wool never stops growing & it can actually roll over on its back from the weight & die of starvation.”
My thoughts: GROWTH is intended to benefit others! And sometimes what appears as someone coming to CUT YOU BACK or CUT YOU DOWN is ultimately for the benefit of more growth and ensuring that YOU CONTINUE TO THRIVE and LIVE! You try to cut me, its because you need what I’ve grown so you can have the benefit of my living.
I immediately visually envisioned the church, the Body of Christ when I read this. Among countless references in the scripture to the people of God as sheep and even the reference to Christ as the lamb of God Acts 8:32 says …like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. I suppose one of the reasons Jesus opened not his mouth is because he understood that the shearing IS NECESSARY! In fact, I believe that our growth is supposed to BENEFIT others! When our growth stays on our backs, in our church, in our circles of comfort, we are prone to being so weighty that we fall over on our back and STARVE-becoming malnourished. That’s what happened to Eli in Samuel 1. The priest fell over from his excess and broke his own neck. Growth is not a sign that God is on my side and nobody else. Growth is the outcome of God’s love for others. No more than a tree that is content and satisfied with fruit on its bough which no person ever consumes, can the church and CHURCH FOLK grow fruit that can’t sustain our communities.
I hope these have been as refreshing for you to ponder as they have been for my soul to ponder!