World on fire

There is so much controversy in the world today over issues that seem to big or too politically heated to find a solution.

Many are afraid that they will somehow personally loose out over one or several of these hot buttons: Health care reform, yet another deployment of soldiers, bank bailouts, marriage rights for all peoples, and the list goes on and on.While all of these issues originate in the needs and concerns of humanity, they unfortunately become captive to the almighty dollar bill - and those who are holding the wallet.

I find my heart heavy at the reality of the worlds suffering, sometimes it seems all too much. Sadly, I think the human needs become overshadowed by the press concerning the financial flux of our worlds economy.

Sarah Mclachlan released this song and video about two years ago and I remember how moved I was by it. She admits her feeling of being overwhelmed in the lyric of the song...

" The world's on fire and
It's more than I can handle
I'll tap into the water (I try to pull my ship)
I try to bring more
More than I can handle (Bring it to the table)
Bring what I am able."

All these issues may seem overwhelming to me at times, but Sarah's song reminds me that I can bring my bucket of water to help where I can. One bucket at a time, some fires of destruction can be held back, extinguished and even restored to wellness and health.

Sarah McLachlan - World On Fire (Official Music Video) - Click here for funny video clips

Get your bucket - let's work together to put out some of these fiery issues.

Something you should know about World On Fire Lyrics

Title: Sarah McLachlan - World On Fire lyrics
"World On Fire"

Hearts are worn in these dark ages
You're not alone in this story's pages
Night has fallen amongst the living and the dying
And I try to hold it in, yeah I try to hold it in

[Chorus]
The world's on fire and
It's more than I can handle
I'll tap into the water
(I try to pull my ship)
I try to bring more
More than I can handle
(Bring it to the table)
Bring what I am able

I watch the heavens and I find a calling
Something I can do to change this moment
Stay close to me while the sky is falling
Don't wanna be left alone, don't wanna be alone

[Chorus]

Hearts break, hearts mend
Love still hurts
Visions clash, planes crash
Still there's talk of
Saving souls, still the cold
Is closing in on us

We part the veil on our killer sun
Stray from the straight line on this short run
The more we take, the less we become
A fortune of one that means less for some

Precita eyes are looking this way

Utility boxes painted with the Precita Eyes project.

Precita Eyes is an effort to beautify the mission district area of San Francisco. About two years ago I had the opportunity to see some of the murals for myself when I visited the area. Ever since then, I've hoped for an opportunity to help beautify my own small city with a similar kind of mural project.

This morning I spoke to a friend of mine who just completed a clean-up/mural grant for our town. He called to ask me if I would like to be interested in helping with the painting of this mural. Am I interested? Yes!

Let's see how things develop in the next month or so - the eyes of precita seem to be winking and looking this way!

SWB: What am I looking for?

Image found at Flicker.


Sometimes I get weary from searching for an idea or shimmer of an idea. Its as if I've almost got my finger on a fraction of brilliance, look directly where I perceive it's coming from and POOF - it vanishes before it can be captured.

Much of this week, I've been thinking on life; the things I treasure and the things I don't care to think about. Looking as I am, it's a place where balance is needed in order to be fair and sure footed in the paths I travel each day.

Balance.

I like new projects and making plans. I love the excitement of seeing it all come together, but as things begin to come together - I begin to loose a little stream and wish for the beginning stages of things again.

There is a BIG project in the home run for me this week. Last weeks planning seems to be helping things come together well - but I'm worrying a bit. I want this to come out well - to be good, to be enriching, to be worthwhile to all that participate.
Some things can be controlled, and others...you know the drill.

Balance.

Life is always shifting and changing - and somehow staying constant too. One thing may stay constant for me, while your life may be a whirlwind of excitement... or vice-verse. Its all in your perspective.

Balance.

I was thinking of the statement from Ecclesiastes earlier today - "There is nothing new under the sun." The sun has the benefit (if it could literally see), of looking over the whole earth and seeing everything and everyone. Therefore, there is nothing new under or before the sun's perspective.

People however, do not have this point of view. People are limited to their own geographic space and time and can only see what the sun illuminates directly around them.

What have I seen around me this week?
Challenge,
hope,
balance,
perseverance,
persistence,
balance,
sadness,
surprise,
balance,
focus,
encouragement,
balance.

For my perspective last week and the week to come. I will breathe. I will persevere, I will work to maintain my balance.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-14 (New International Version)

9 What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

10 Is there anything of which one can say,
"Look! This is something new"?
It was here already, long ago;
it was here before our time.

11 There is no remembrance of men of old,
and even those who are yet to come
will not be remembered
by those who follow.
Wisdom Is Meaningless
12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Why so serious

Just when you get to feeling to serious about things in life, you see things that make you chuckle.

Like a warped muddy snowman, complete with scarf and mittens on sticks, in the neighbors yard - in OCTOBER!

or -

Your dog goes completely nuts with the new ball she got and runs all over the place, wiping out and grappling to catch it. Over and over and over again.

or -

you family does something nice and silly that makes you crack up.



So much for being serious.