Trumpet blessings

A couple of weeks ago I heard the human interest story of Shamarr Allen. Mr. Allen is a New Orleans musician who started a program for children- turn in your guns for trumpets. No questions asked. As a product of the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans, he knows first hand the tough time these kids have growing up. When he heard of children being murdered by guns, he thought how music, namely the trumpet saved him from going down a road of poor choices.

I love his idea. Not only that it gets one more gun off the streets, but that he is giving something useful and tangible to these kids. He is giving them a future. He is giving them Hope.

His idea is in good company- On December 31, 1912, Louis Armstrong was arrested for firing a gun while celebrating New Year’s. Eleven-year-old Louis was sent to the Colored Waif’s Home, where he received formal music lessons and became a member of the Home’s brass band. If Peter Davis (an instructor at the Home) hadn’t given him proper lessons to really learn the coronet, we would never have had Ambassador Satchmo.

These stories remind me of using one’s gifts, talents or resources to bless others around us. When I read of ideas such as these, I realize that sometimes the blessing of others doesn’t necessarily have to be a huge sacrifice. It may be as easy as using and sharing what we already have in a creative way.

I think of “spheres of influence”. Originally meaning “a country or area in which another country has power to affect developments although it has no formal influence”. In the business model it is to think of those people you know and have some type of relationship or want to have relationship in order to cultivate some positive affect for yourself. (Referrals, leads, increased business).

Instead, what about thinking of spheres of influence as a way of affecting positive change, not for yourself, but rather for benefiting others? What about being a blessing? Leaving a wake of positivity behind you? For someone to think, “I have a better outlook today because I encountered … (your name here).”

Makes me wonder- what talent, gift, resource do I have that I can use to help others? In Mr. Allen’s case, it wasn’t any big offering. He had four old trumpets he could give away. He was seeing a problem and thought of a small solution.

It doesn’t have to be a monetary amount. Sure, in this economy and times of uncertainty, there are a lot of people who need financial help. But the more I am thinking about people, I think the real poverty lately is in relationships and in investing in their future. About investing in hope. I think of Jesus’ statement, “and lo, the poor will always be with you.” By His saying that, doesn’t negate our need to financially help one another, but I wonder if He is speaking about something deeper that we can address?

Financial situations will be here and will always be here in this broken world. Short of the new heaven and earth, there is a call for striving for reconciliation with others. I think that our responsibility in that call is the provision of hope and future. When you think of it, without hope it doesn’t matter what one’s financial situation may be- it is easy to give up. The spirit of hope has given tenacity to those in hopeless, impoverished situations.

In the case of Louis Armstrong, using music to keep wayward kids from going astray makes me think of the story lines from The Music Man- the idea that children would get into “Trouble. With a capital “T” that rhymes with “P” which stands for Pool”- (pool hall). The way around that trouble is to form a band complete with purchased instruments and uniforms. (Of course, “Professor” Henry Hill is really a salesman for said instruments and uniforms. He is a conman not a reformer and certainly not a musician.) I do not know anything else about Louis Armstrong’s instructor, Peter Davis but I imagine he was a reformer. Was he a good musician? Or did he just have a creative idea and offered to the children what he could?

What are other ways to provide hope and a future for someone? Even if it is hope and a future afternoon of learning and doing something new? Share a skill or hobby with a neighbor. Extra tutoring or extra curriculum learning for neighborhood children. (Give a neighbor parent a little break in this new world of virtual learning). Go for an outside walk with a friend and listen to what is going on in his/her life. Drop off a meal to a stressed neighbor. Make masks for neighbors or friends. A friend of mine is knitting mask “extensions” for health care workers- an extra piece attached around the back of the head that gives relief to the pull of the elastic on one’s ears.

What about you? What ways can you make a difference in someone’s life today? It doesn’t have to be monumental. It doesn’t even have to cost you anything. It might even be as simple as a hello, wave or nod to a stranger on the street.

Click here for more info about Shamarr Allen’s Trumpets for Guns program.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving. For this blog post I am going to do two shameless things:

1) Brag on one of my talented, intelligent nephews. I am always hesitant to single one of them out (or any of my equally talented, intelligent nieces) for fear that I will appear showing favoritism. Perhaps I am because I am biased with all the offspring.

2) Postponing today’s blog until another week in order to share the aforementioned nephew’s blog post. If you read some of his past posts, he has some interesting and thought-provoking reflections. (You can also check out his sermons online. Click here to view.)

Click here to read

In essence Andrew provides 3 questions to ask those gathered around your Thanksgiving table tomorrow:

1. Where have you seen God at work this past year?

2. What unexpected blessing have you received this year?

3. What are you praying for this year?

Question #1 reminds me that God is alive and involved in our lives. He isn’t the distant God, just waiting to ding us for the slightest infraction. He is at work, drawing His children (all of us) back to Himself for relationship. If we are open to Him, we can see His presence in all things around us.

Question #2 reminds me that even when life doesn’t go as planned, perhaps especially when life doesn’t go as planned, we still receive blessings. I have reflected over the last couple of years and think of the unexpected changes: deaths, illnesses, disappointments, joys, deepening friendships, undeserved assistance, personal and family successes. All unexpected and all blessings in their own right. Even this broken wing of mine has had its blessing. I have had to slow down, prioritize and rethink.

I love question #3 because it sets the tone for the future. Sure we pray for God’s will to be done, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t want to hear our thoughts, our longings and our heart’s desires. It reminds me that I need to include God in my thoughts and plans for the future. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“ (Jeremiah 29:11).

May you and whomever gathers around your table have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Top 3? Bottom 3?

Top 3?  Bottom 3?  A question I heard from the actor Jamie Lee Curtis.   The rationale is that everyone has three best things- whether they are physical features, personality traits, resources, etc. and everyone has three worst things- things about which they are not too happy.  The idea is to name them, embrace them and then move on. 

Interesting concept.  I think in Ms. Curtis' case as she described it on a talk show, this appears to be more about physical features than not.  I like to think that there is so much more to a person than that.  In addition, I don't think we should just settle in naming the bottom three.

Of course, certain things cannot be changed and we just have to learn to live with it or without it. However, there are things that if we name as a bottom, we can work on improving. 

I like to think that the naming of either top or bottom is the beginning of a life of improvement.

The top items are to remind us that we are not so bad. We all have some gift or positive item.  We all are blessed in some way. Some days we might not feel that blessing, but if we look with open eyes we will find it.  In noting our blessings, it should give us confidence and the assurance that our life has purpose and meaning. There is a reason for our blessing.  Many times it is to share with others our good fortune. In the area of good physical features it should manifest itself as a confidence and self-assurance so that we can can "disappear", not think about ourselves and whether we look good enough, and concentrate on the people around us. 

The bottom items are to remind us to remain humble.  Everyone has something of which he/she is not particularly proud.  And that is okay. We all have positive and negative traits. If we keep it in perspective and not dwell on it, that item, personality trait or physical feature is what keeps us balanced.  It also keeps us compassionate when we see others in the same boat. We then have the opportunity to provide hope for a change or acceptance of things as they are.  

I am still thinking of my Top 3 and Bottom 3. What I do find is that once I get going I can fill up a page of the Bottom 3.  I think sticking to just three items is better than letting it all get on the page.  Who needs that kind of self-flagellation?  Three items seem to be a better balance.   I also find  that when I am having "one of those days", the top three help me shake off the bottom blues (or the mean reds per Holly Golightly).

What about you?  Have you ever thought of your Top 3, Bottom 3?  Are there things on that list you would want to change?  Can you change them?  Do you need to learn acceptance?  Do you need to balance the top and bottom?  Is there someone in your life you can help with his/her Top 3, Bottom 3?  Someone who might need a little encouragement or acceptance? 

Blessed

"Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted."  

These are words spoken by Jesus in a section called the Beatitudes. I always thought that it seemed a strange thing for Jesus to say. Most people that I know who mourn or are in mourning don't feel too blessed.

Yet  beatitude means supreme blessedness.  As I am still in the process of mourning the loss of my mother I cannot say that I feel supremely blessed but I do see glimmers of blessed-ness every day.

I see the blessedness of re-connection with family with whom I haven't spoken in a long time.  It might be because of the heightened emotion of grief yet I feel the familial ties and the instant connection when we speak.  There is no pretense nor apologies needed for not connecting sooner.  It is just a comfortable connection of love.

I see the blessedness in the strengthening bonds of friendship.  So many people have offered to help and have cared for our family's immediate needs. It is through the intensity of life and death that binds us closer to one another. We see those who are there for our family through the difficult times. 

I see the blessedness in the ability to view life with an eternal perspective.  Nothing like a death to pull me up short to realize what is truly important in life overall and in my own life specifically.  I think that is one of the reasons that funerals make me cry.  Of course, I am thinking of the person who is gone but there is also the thinking of my own life- what have I done in it, who have I influenced, if any and will God be pleased?   I think for many a funeral is a time of personal reassessment. 

I see the blessedness in the way I view other people. Death's perspective causes me to feel a generosity and grace towards others.   We never know when it will be our last moment.  I want to live so that when I am gone, there are no regrets. Things might be left undone but nothing is left in anger, rudeness or any other negative behavior.   

What about you?  Have you ever had to grieve?  Are you still grieving?  What did you learn about yourself through that process?  What comforted you?  Do you (did you) ever feel blessed by it?  

Building Monuments

This past week our home-from-college son and I spent the day in Washington, DC.  When the boys were little, he, his brother and I went on many adventures to DC.  I sometimes wonder how I managed- a double stroller on the metro, two small boys, and a knapsack packed with lunches, snacks and any possible emergency items? 

 When I ask them now, "do you remember going to ...?" they will say no.  So much for supplementing their educational experience with "field trips". Although I have noticed that as adults, they will go to museums on their own or arrange a group trip with their friends. Even though they might not remember visiting every Smithsonian museum, something stuck and somehow we were able instill a curiosity and sense of patronizing museums and other organizations of learning to the boys. 

For all our many visits, we never went up the Washington Monument. So, last week we did. Afterwards, my son and I had a long discussion about monuments, memorializing events or people through monuments and its significance to those who visit.  One question came up, "why don't people just visit the individual's grave?"  In some ways a monument seems to celebrate the life of the person more than a gravesite.  A monument recognizes the individual (s) achievements and service or is used to commemorate an important historical or cultural event. 

According to Wikipedia, "The origin of the word "monument" comes from the Latin moneo, monere, which means 'to remind', 'to advise' or 'to warn',[2] suggesting a monument allows us to see the past thus helping us visualize what is to come in the future.[3] "

I am reminded of Biblical stories when the Israelites wanted to remember a place where they had witnessed a miracle, they built a pile of stones type monument. It was to be a visual remembrance of God's provision.  Other times, monuments were built as a warning for the consequence of lack of faith (e.g. Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt). 

Sometimes I think I need those visual reminders in my life.  I can get so caught up in the day to day minutiae that I forget the blessings that I have received.  I forget how God has provided for me and for my family, time and time again.  I forget to notice the daily miracles of life, breath and well-being.  

Monuments can be a testament to heed some type of warning.   Many times when something unpleasant or difficult occurs I think, "In the future, I will remember not to do such and such.."  Yet, how many times do I forget and repeat the same offence? 

Just as it is important for a society to pause and reflect on an event or person through monuments, I think as individuals we need too as well.  We need to build monuments in our life so that we can reflect on our past in order to improve our future.  They may not be physical monuments but they can be verbal stories that we pass along to our children and grandchildren. Or they can be little symbols that remind us of our blessings and warn us of our past indiscretions.  Whatever our monument might be it is designed with the thought that we want to learn and move forward in our lives.

What about you?  Have you ever visited any monuments?  What was your take-away?  Have you ever built any monuments in your life?  What would they look like?  

The Blizzard Blessings of 2016

Where were you during the blizzard of 2016?  Did your neck of the woods get any snow?  Even though our area got a significant covering, we were fortunate to be high and dry at home.  I have no idea how much snow we received. It was difficult to tell due to the snow drifts. Our Mini was almost completely covered except for the little "mini" ball on top of the antennae. 

Taken during the snowstorm.  Our Mini had only the "Mini" ball sticking out from its antennae.

Having to walk the dogs notwithstanding, the snow storm was a nice reprieve.  All the obligations and commitments I had this week have been cancelled or postponed due to the poor driving conditions, poor visibility at the intersections and the state of unplowed parking lots.  I feel like I have been given a secret stash of time. Without having those obligations, I can do what I need to do when what I want to do it. 

It made me realize that I definitely need to put more unscripted time into my schedule. These last couple of days have been an oasis.  I have had time to be productive:  finished redoing my office (I'll give a tour next blog), made two batches of soup, did some writing and took care of some of those items on the bottom of the to-do list.  

I also had time to "goof off": did some binge watching on Netflix (Noticed that Daphne's fashion in the beginning of the Frasier series- leggings, ballet slippers and long shirts- has come around again), went down many an internet rabbit hole of clicking onto pointless articles (Did I really need to know what Tom Cruise's kids look like?) and finished a great book- Julianna Baggott's Harriet Wolf's Seventh Book of Wonders. 

It made me realize that I definitely need to make time for a mini-blizzard; the feeling of sans obligations but without the white stuff.  Try as I might to keep a calendar relatively clear or at least not back to back with appointments, obligations have a way of wiggling back onto my schedule. 

Why is it that it takes a natural disaster to get my attention to slow down?  Once again during my Bible reading did this idea resonate.  I was reading in Exodus the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.  The section of honoring a sabbath struck me; the idea of planning a routine of resting. Granted a blizzard and the stoppage of daily commitments is not a religious practice. Yet, this blizzard was a mini-sabbath from obligations for me.  

It was a blessing.

What about you?  If you were impacted by the storm, what did you do?  Were you relieved of obligations or did new ones evolve e.g. caring for school aged children, staying over at work, doing storm-related work? If you couldn't experience the freedom of responsibilities during the storm, could you plan a mini-blizzard? What would that look like for you?  

Everyone needs the blessing of a blizzard every once in a while.