Uphill idealist

I can't tell you how many times I've thought about the following quote by Dr. M.L. King... "I have a dream that my four little children will oneday live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skinbut by the content of their character." When I was in sixth grade I was chosen to recite this well-known quote in for a musical that we were performing at my school called, "Kids for America". While I was excited about the singing and dancing and having a chance to have a speaking part in the play, this quote rattle around my young mind in a way that no other words had before. I grew up in a tiny town in western Pennsylvania and the community was lily white. There was no racial diversity to see or speak of. The only significant differences I recognized were religious ones, and this only happened because the kids who were Catholic were dismissed early on Fridays so they could attend  Catechism Class. From my perspective I could not un...

Unforeseen circumstances cause people to be literally stuck. Unexpected travel snafus, debit card ooopsies and distances too far to fix face-to-face or in the nick of time. In those moments, there are many unseen disasters that can happen. Nothing, it seems, can budge the stuck. For reasons I can't explain these hiccups that can turn into terrible things happen. Some circumstances leave stuck chaos... but others open a window for grace to enter. Tonight for my son stuck in Midtown , grace came walking by. She saw a need and softened a heart to help - and planted a seed for hope to grow. Where self and darkness could have won; light and kindness made it's way. Thank you Jessica from the Midtown Hilton. Your random act of service and kindness was a blessing deeper and wider than the miles that my college freshman son and I are apart. Your were the bridge we so needed tonight. Thank you Jessica, for your amazing grace.

"I am not good at everything I attempt to do." "I'm not an expert." "This feels clumsy." Statements like this, I think, that keep people - me specifically - from trying new things Better yet sticking with something that does not come naturally is actually harder. It may seem too extrovert for me to say this, but I actually love trying new things and going new places. But when it comes to working through things I'm not naturally good at - I struggle. My internal voice may say things like,   "Why aren't you getting this?" "Look over there - they are not having any problem with it." Sometimes the internal voice slips through my lips and becomes audible sound. In fact, this nasty voice spoke from my own lips when trying to coordinate my breathing, kicking and arm position while swimming the breast stroke. Before I could stop it these words popped out: "Why are you SO clumsy!!"   I was so shocked I st...

Sometimes the earth is hard. The soil is dry and covered in clay.  Water is in short supply and seeds fail to grow. But in the face of such harsh reality, there remains something unspoken in the human heart. It's not as if we believe that things are perfect. We know by the ache in our back and the silver at our temples that life is imperfect. Yes life is imperfect, unfinished and impossible. But this is not the only thing life is. Each day the sun rises, even if rain continues to fall. Each day someone smiles and loud laughter bounces around the room. Each day there are those that pass into eternity - and those that take their first breath. Life and the earth are hard, but tender hands continue to till the hard ground... in hope of the harvest yet to come. T.L. Eastman Copyright 2015

Tenderness is something much needed in the world today. We think we need to be tougher, stronger, and more independent. But the truth is... we need each other. Yes we might make each other crazy at times, we won't often agree, and we all need moments alone to recharge. But, as a norm - people need to be with other people. I'd like to even suggest, that people need to be with other people to practice the art of relationship building and relationship I think relationship building requires tenderness. My grandson Owen asked to hold his brand new baby cousin Atticus at our Labor Day Picnic today. His mamma (my daughter) helped him hold him carefully and as he stared at this tiny one month old infant, he was overcome with tenderness for him and kissed him. We all gasped.We teared up. This loving display, "got us in the feels".  We were proud of this busy two-year old Owen showing such gentle intention and care for little Atticus. We all saw how...

This image found at ETSY and is created by: Blackraptor Art There are two eyes, a mouth and a nose. Is there more than that, do you suppose? Does this face only fill a frame, or give some clues to it's heart? Does a face make only a refection or more than what images mark? This is a face that shown joy and been the path for tears of regret.                                                  This face is holding on to hope for the things its not seen - yet. Are there freckles on forehead from days in the sun? Are there crows feet and laugh lines from smiling for fun? Are there dimples, or blemish, and tiny white scars. This is a face has seen life and death and the spaces between.                                         ...

For the warmth, for the pause, for the need beyond words, for the joy bubbling to the surface... light a candle. Because of the news we read, because there is news we can't bear to read, because there is news we can't wait to share... light a candle. In loss, in abundance, in the in-between, in the hopes, in the pits of despair, and in the embrace of love... light a candle. For its flickering, because it's light carries on even in the darkest of times, in the way it reminds us that we are loved by a God that uses tiny things like water,  word,  bread, wine, wax and wick  to connect with us... light a candle. Image and poem by T.L. Eastman copyright 2015

Words sometimes seem difficult to put together in a way to express all one needs to say. Sometimes words are partially effective in getting a point across, but pictures sometimes "are worth a thousand words". Optimism is the higher functioning sibling of idealism. Optimism is more likely to experiment, to try, to be open. Idealism sometimes is so married to meeting a goal, to attaining perfection, that an effort goes undone. So in word and picture, Uphill Idealist returns, with a a try - a test - imperfect, but present; because optimism is like having the courage to try the cha cha.... Image found at Facebook page for Inspire

For the first time in forever I was home from worship because I was under the weather. I'm resting and doing some fun internet wandering finding some lovely music that met me where I was today - in my jammies, drinking lots of fluids and cuddling with my dog, Aggie. I came across two bands I'd not heard of before: The Rend Collective (Experiment)   and Gungor . If you follow the link to Rend you'll find the song "O my soul" (it's time to look up) that got this thinking all going to result in a long-needed post here. I had intended on talking with the children this morning about playing the game "I spy" during the children's message. This week's lesson was about a blind man who was healed and able to see the world for the first time. The questions I was going to ask them was, "What do you think was the first thing the previously blind man saw when he regained his sight? How do you think he felt suddenly seeing the world? The truth...

For a long time I've considered developing a collection of writings from the last 12 years (really? YES!) of into a cohesive book (also in a Kindle format for easy download). So, with some trepidation and excitement I'm beginning on the sorting and organizing stage of this project. There is much to consider,but I'll be filling you all in bit by bit as things develop. I may even use Kickstarter as a means to expedite finding resources to help with printing costs. Upon first steps, I'm already amazed at the sheer quantity of writing that has taken place over this period of time. (2004 had 200 pages alone!) At this point, it looks like there will be at least three volumes in this project - but I hope to have the first one available by summer of 2014. Thanks to all the 18,679 readers that visited Uphill Idealist in 2014 and to all the readers before. This would never have been possible to even consider without you. If you are interested in ordering a copy or have favo...

Earlier today I stumbled across a quote concerning the coming new year that filled me with hope instead of a desire to reach for a mountain of impossible resolutions - "Tomorrow is the first blank page in a 365 page book. Write a good one." Brad Paisley. We all have an ideal that we strive for - even this uphill idealist. But what if we looked at each day as writing ONE page instead trying to write ALL PAGES in one day? One day = one page.  Each day we have one page to celebrate, struggle, hope, strive, aspire, dream and wrestle with our ideals - and then in joy write them down. Write your own story, you are the only one with that unique perspective. Each day, each page - write a good one. Even in what seems impossible and unchangeable. In hope and joy this is the kind of story that I resolve to write and live in 2014. Happy New Year to all! What story do you want to write in the new year? One day = one page - with hope and joy. Shalom - Tara 

A few months ago, I asked friends for pictures of hope for a mini "Ted" version talk on the importance of Art and Faith. Today I put together a few pieces to be submitted for Women Create's upcoming show for 2014. It is a juried show, so I have no guarantee that these pieces will be selected, however I'm happy to have the opportunity to show these pieces for consideration as well a hopeful that for someone they will shine some light, whimsy and joy into their day. Raven's Dawn A Woman's Vision Mother and Child

There are days that feel out of sync. They jumble, rustle, and rattle your center until all gravity is gone. The ravens of change caw and cause you to shudder as you walk along the path ahead. Are you really blazing a trail or just settling for a scenic route to avoid the potholes. But each day, I'm told, is brand new. And the restlessness can be a sign that something exciting and purposeful is growing here. That flock of black birds could be calling me to pay some mind to the dew on the grass and the harvest in the fields that surround me. Each step could be backwards, but there is movement. There is progress. Obstacles are being faced and filled in. Rome wasn't built in a day, and roots don't grow deep overnight. Renewal sometimes needs to be wrestled with, wandered around and waited for - until one day something just fits. There are days that feel out of sync - but this day something settled in with hope and will dig deep. The ravens told me so. M...

Image found at Oregon Idaho UM Conference There is a great deal of power in a name. At birth we are given a name by our parents and that becomes an identifier of who we are. It’s the means of getting our attention, engaging us to participate and giving us a place to interact with others in community. When we have a name, we have a place in a family, at school or work. Our names become a vehicle of interacting with people. Even after death, our names remain to be a point of connection and blessing that carries on well beyond our lifetime. On this day of the Saints, we honor and remember those that have died and can take encouragement from their lives of faith in God. Their lives and our lives are a tapestry woven together by God’s grace and love; in the joys and the sorrows of life. Our names give us a place in this world, but not all of the places and experiences of life initially feel like blessing. Martin Luther speaks of the tension of living with the effect of sin, as Chris...

Today marked Jamestown's second annual "Out of the Darkness Walk" for the prevention of suicide. This walk is a fundraising effort of the American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide or the AFSP . While it can be difficult to discuss loss as a result of a suicide, this agency and the people walking today bravely walked to lift up the need for greater support for and connection with mental health resources. It was a great honor to participate in this walk today with some members of True Sisterhood Jamestown , a women's fellowship group from First Lutheran Church of Jamestown, as well as many local agencies and individuals willing to speak up for those who have died as a result of suicide. This walk was filled with an atmosphere of hope, support and was a coming together of people from all walks of life - to honor those we miss and to work to help others who struggle to walk in the light. At the conclusion of the walk, balloons that ...

I have a toddler friend named Sailor who spends a good amount of time at my home on a regular basis. She has gotten the hang of navigating our wandering back steps with a little hand-holding help, she has no problem cuddling up on the sofa for nap time, and enjoys pointing at our 40-pound-beagle-cattle-dog and shouting with glee, "Aggie-Dog!". Sometimes we set up a gate to keep her in a play space of the living room and that usually works out just fine; but yesterday "Aggie-dog" decided to mix up the afternoon activity just for kicks. Sailor was happily playing with her baby, "Beba" when I came home and let Aggie-dog out for a bathroom break and dinner. Aggie was so happy that she began running and jumping throughout the downstairs. She was even so clever to effortlessly leap over the living room gate like a hurdle in a race. As the dog was leaping from side to side, Sailor would laugh uncontrollably and shout "Aggie-Dog", louder and loud...

Hebrews 11 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”   Image: Hope at my door by Katie Finch \ When I was a child, my mom had a collection of odd socks tossed into a basket in the laundry room. The mates to these socks were long gone, but she would hold on to them for dusting and various household chores. Sometimes, I’d ask my mom if I could have a few of the odd socks and I’d dig out scraps of fabric, buttons and yarn to create puppets out of those odds and ends. What one person might discard, another person with a little imagination can create opportunities for renewal and hope. This creative rethinking is something that applies not only to odd socks, but to the mission and ministry of the church. According to recent research, the top spir...