Uphill idealist

Creator… When we claim that “others” are worth knowing, what movement does the idea take? In all the swirling possibility, what about “others” helps us wake. When the “others” are seen, we discover unexpected and essential unity.   Help each “other” become aware of our beauty and shadow sides. The shadow may carry struggle, but it's strength helps beauty gleam.  This mixing of joy and struggle is the wonder all “others” hope for and dream. Help “others” remember that each “other” is worth knowing. Help “others” to see, beauty in the midst of divisions  and the miracle of new life… as the beloved “others” community.  AMEN     Copyright November 4th, 2018 /  Tara Lamont Eastman

Through the last several months, I've been on a personal wellness project to develop healthier foundations in living: reducing stress, eating wholesome tasty foods and sharing some of what I've learned with others. This week I had the opportunity to share one of my favorite meal hacks, Jar Salads , with the customers at the Jamestown Mobile Market, a project of the Jamestown Renaissance Corp . With the help of  the JRC staff and a large group of volunteers, the Mobile Market reaches a minimum of 100 people weekly. The Mobile Food Truck customers receive fresh, local produce with the use of free $5.00 coupons or can be purchased at a rate of $1.00 per item. Last summer, the Mobile Market was only and idea on paper and this summer it's been a distinct joy seeing this dream become a reality. The idea of the mobile market is quite simple: bring local produce to people living in "food-desert" neighborhoods. The USDA defines a "food desert" as: ...

From the book Heart Talk author Cleo Wade says this about the heart of welcome… “We are here to connect, not compare. There is a reason we are not in this world alone. It is because we are all connected and need each other to function peacefully, purposefully and powerfully. We cannot know happiness or our true power if we are constantly in a state of comparison and competition. ..Connection rejects the idea of competing for any one thing and runs, instead, on gratitude and abundance, which weave us more deeply into each other’s lives so that we may better support one another in the world. Connection knows that everything we accomplish in life is much more fulfilling when we help others along the way.” Her words make me wonder, can actions of welcome be the glue of building connection between people? What would be possible if we truly welcome one another - from the heart? One of the most extreme experiences of heart welcome I've been in the receiving end happened in an u...

Like a foot that has fallen asleep, the process of "waking up" those toes isn't comfortable. Like the eyes that have grow accustomed to the cool darkness of a movie theater; there is much squinting and stumbling when reentering the light of day. Feeling and seeing are necessary to life. These senses help to keep us safe. But when we tamp them down... to save time....         to save energy.......                 to save face in relationships..... We aren't saving anything at all. In fact, we lose ourselves and walk in a stupor of presence minus engagement.......                       a warm body but a mind that meanders over old tapes and trappings..........                                             a life lived in relation to people, inste...

Image found at Doctors of the Church When I learned today was your day of remembrance, I took some time to learn more about your life. You were a teacher, preacher, and healer of divisions.You honored Mary, calling her the treasure and heart of God. While you longed for a quiet life of prayer and service in the Abby, God called you to use your gifts of communication to bridge the gaps for the church and communities that beckoned. You took your call to share good news seriously - but felt the pain of your words being twisted. That pain is said to be what ended your life too soon. If we were to sit down for a chat, I'd ask how you maintained balance; one foot in the church and the other in the world. While I might not be preaching to the masses like you; I understand what it's like to stand with each foot on different plots.  As a pastor today, you would probably be defined a community developer-redeveloper. You would be working with new and old systems. You would be...

For Alden and Gertrude on Memorial Day weekend 2018 Living in the “NOWS” was the only way they knew how: with gardens, chocolate chip cookies, flowers, baseball, dancing and accompanying dogs. Holding hands, encouraging hearts, living in the “NOWS” even when bending a brow. In sorrow, in joy, living “do not worry” was the tempo to each step,  and carries them to the dance we can’t see yet. Living the “NOWS” is the legacy they leave, beckoning us with sunshine, flying birds and warm breeze. Calling us to live our “NOWS” bound in the promise of God’s love - Now is our dance of love to lead.  NOW. Copyright 2018 T.L. Eastman

A little guy told me about a collision in gym class. "I crashed into -----, it was an accident. My lip was bleeding. I cried. But I got an ice pack - I'm fine now." Sometimes we bump heads. With foes as well as friends. Perhaps if we remember each noggin' is precious - we would't have so may hurts that are delayed in healing. All noggins bump. All noggins are precious. All noggins can heal. If only we give ice packs for each other, like preschoolers. Amen, Preschoolers, ice packs. Amen.