¡Hasta luego, México!

I didn't expect to be writing this morning, but I'm up early on our last full day in Mexico. We still have a party to go to tonight and then tomorrow is a travel day as we head back to the states.

I've said it before --
There is something peaceful about life in Mexico. There is a much greater sense of community and so much less competitiveness in daily life. There is capitalism, to be sure, but on a different scale than in the US and taking care of one another is more of a priority.
At least, that's the way it appears from my perspective.

I'm certain that I could adapt to this more simple (but perhaps, more difficult) way of life here. I would miss many of the creature comforts that I've gotten used to. There are always trade-offs.

As it is...
I'll return to my comfortable, privileged life in Southwest MO. 
I'll mow my large yard on a street with similar homes and acreage. Afterwards I'll sip a cold iced tea made from tap water drawn from a deep, clean well.
I'll go to occasional baseball games, stream TV with pretty reliable and affordable internet access, drive one of multiple vehicles when I need to go someplace, and occasionally meet someone for lunch, drinks, music, conversation, or something else.
I have a good life.

The trip has been a good one.
We met some new people.
We saw the total eclipse in Mazatlan and enjoyed our time there.
We have had a great time with the kids here in Puerto Vallarta.
We have enjoyed having my mom with us for this trip so that she could see the kids' new place.
We have eaten a ton of good food and managed a good bit of walking and activity while doing it.

But...
I have a yard, flower beds, and a garden to take care of.
And we have our own community of sorts. That also needs to be taken care of.
One of the nicer things about Mexico -- it's here, and I'll be back.

John

Thursday Theology

¡Buenos días amigos!

Mornings in Mazatlan have been cool so I am writing from inside the condo we are staying in this morning. The days are warm. The nights have been cool -- kind of like it is back home. We will be back in Puerto Vallarta this weekend and will meet up with our daughter Hannah and her guy, Jason.
I am truly looking forward to having our little family together for a few days.

There are several things that I really like about this week's lectionary reading -- none of which really deal with the theology of Jesus, but rather give us some simple insights into living.
Here's the gospel reading.

And here is my take on the interaction between (the risen) Jesus and his friends:
Jesus's friends were confused and hurting by both his death and resurrection which they didn't understand, so he just decided to show up for them. That's an example of how we should be for our friends that are hurting from a loss, are suffering some kind of trauma, or just need a friend -- just show up.
In the verses preceding this, the disciples are talking about him and then -- there he is, a perfectly timed appearance!

Another thing I love -- have a meal with your friends!
And here's the thing -- you don't have to wait for your friends to invite you. You can be the one to initiate it.
Jesus: So..., you guys got anything to eat?

I think that sharing a meal with people you like is a precious way to spend time.
Even as I write that, I know that I am rarely to one to take such an initiative. Truthfully, there isn't a time that I am sitting on the deck, smoking a cigar, sipping a tequila, bourbon, or iced tea -- and I think to myself, "I should call ______ and see if they want to go to breakfast or lunch."
I enjoy meeting over a meal.
I kind of suck at planning for it.
I should work on that.
Maybe you should, too.

Is there somebody that would benefit from your presence today?
Why not just show up for them?
While physical presence might be the best way, there isn't anything wrong with a text or brief call to let somebody know that you are thinking of them and are available if they need you.

If there is somebody that you need to spend a little more time with -- invite them over or out to coffee, a beer, or a meal. You will both be better for it.
And you might as well share a hug while you're at it!

Eat
Drink
Hug

That might be my new life motto!

John

Hugs

I have come to believe that each of us has an energy field that surrounds us and is ours. Each person's energy has its own type of frequency or identifying characteristic. Sometimes those frequencies blend well with others -- these people are our closest friends. Sometimes they do not and we just don't feel as comfortable around those people. Some even set off a kind of energy alarm and we know that field is toxic to us.

I also believe that we transfer or share energy when we interact with one another. Sometimes we give our energy, sometimes we are in need of energy -- either from others or from regenerating our own.
Some people always have energy to give.
Some people are energy thieves -- taking energy without permission. You know, the people that seem to zap the life out of you just by their presence.

I think that touch is the best way to transfer that life force -- a pat on the back, an arm across the shoulders, a hug.
One person with an abundance of life force.
One person with a need.
Both are comforted and better for the sharing.

The best is when neither has a real need and we can just share with each other. That is a kind of intimate energy gift that we give to one another.

My Wednesday Wisdom gift -- Hug someone today.

John

The Day After

I really enjoyed yesterday's total eclipse. This was my second time experiencing a total eclipse and I really enjoyed the excitement and emotions of the people around me that had never had that experience before.
It was all pretty cool.

So...
I missed a coming total eclipse in 2026 that will run from the North Pole and down into Northern Spain. That sounds like a good trip. It only touches the tip of Iceland and it might be that Northern Spain will be a better place to find a viewing spot.

Then there is the 2027 total eclipse through Northern Africa, followed by July 2028 in Australia. Australia gets another one in November 2030.
I wonder if I could find a place to stay in Australia.
Hmmm...
Maybe we'll become eclipse chasers.
Maybe not.

Today -- life goes on. 
The moon keeps spinning around the earth.
The earth keeps orbiting around the sun.
The sun keeps moving within our galaxy.
And all of it hurtles through space in a cosmic dance that has been choreographed billions of years ago.
It is pretty mind boggling from my perspective.

Be the light
Not the eclipse

John

Out of My Routine

A condo balcony in a resort town on eclipse day is pretty far from my normal Monday morning meditative routine, but here I am. Although it is still relatively quiet, there is far more noise than I am used to for quiet centering, contemplation and meditation.
In truth, with just a little practice, it is very possible -- even necessary -- to be able to learn to focus in the midst of the distractions and still be able to meditate. As with most things, it just takes practice.

This morning I am not going to worry about it. In a few moments I will be going downstairs to the kids' condo to help with breakfast prep for our small group. I need to make a quick run to the store first. I'll make time for a little reflection later in the day. 
The next two weeks won't have much in the way of my normal routine, but all is well.

I do hope that you will make time to rest, reflect and enjoy moments of peaceful meditation.
Namaste

John

Sunday Morning -- Mazatlan

After a couple of days of travel, we have arrived in Mazatlan!
Although the weather is warm, it looks like the rain forecast for the US Midwest later in the week will begin with cloud cover and rain here this weekend. That's not boding well for eclipse viewing tomorrow as the forecast is for partly cloudy to cloudy skies. Perhaps we'll catch a well timed break in the clouds to be able to get a visual of the rare event.
Or perhaps we won't and we will enjoy spending the week with friends and family.

Either way -- this trip, this time together would not have happened without the planning centered around the celestial event. We've already met some new friends of the kids and are looking forward to the days ahead.
All is well (todo está bien).

In a little bit I will accompany Mom to mass at Catedral Mazatlan Basilica de la Immaculata Concepcion. Then we will reconnect with our small group and figure out the day. I am expecting to relax by the pool today and recover from the days of travel.
I have managed a couple of days of good activity step-wise, but today may be a less active kind of day.

Be well, my friends.
Hasta mañana.

John

Another Doubter

This week's lectionary story has us looking at the familiar story of Doubting Thomas. You can read it here.

Sticking with my usual looking at the weekly story from a different angle, I am not going to focus on Thomas's doubts, but will look at some of my own. This passage is a part of why I question some of what I have been led to believe about Christianity in general and the bible in particular.

I should probably just admit that I'd have likely been in Thomas's camp on this one. I mean bodies don't just disappear, nor do they resurrect. That has never happened before. You're going to have to prove it to me. 
I'd have been a heretic even 2000 years ago -- well, at least a skeptic.
Truthfully, if any of the other disciples had been absent that day, they might have felt the same. I think Thomas gets an undeserved moniker over this.

But the part of the text that confuses me is found in verse 22 where Jesus breathes on them and says,  "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Wait! What?!
Isn't that what happens at Pentecost?
Isn't that still seven weeks away?

John writes this and then moves on to Jesus admonishing Thomas's doubts like the gift of the Holy Spirit is no big thing. 
And what about Luke's account found in Acts 2?
And what about that teaching that the bible never contradicts itself?
Excuse me, but apparently the Holy Spirit inspired text was misinterpreted by one or both of these authors because I think this is a contradiction. It isn't just a different perspective. It's a different time and a separate  event. 

I'm really not sure what this story means for Doubting Thomas, or for doubting John.
Apparently Thomas's beliefs (slow, though they may have been) were enough to keep him in God's good grace. Hopefully, the same can be said for me.

After writing and reading this I am wondering -- What about the bible in particular or religion in general gives you reason to doubt?
You may not be alone.
It might make for a good conversation or a decent post.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

Enough with the foolishness

It's early on April Fools' Day and I am thinking this would be an excellent day to stay off of social media. There is enough foolishness in our world without adding to it. I normally enjoy humor and pranks as much as the next person, but I'm feeling a little "Bah-Humbug"-ish this morning.

Maybe it's the grey, overcast sky and the impending April shower that has me feeling this way, but I don't really think so. I am actually hopeful for some good seasonal rains to water the flowers for me. 
Sitting on the deck for my morning coffee and quiet time is quite relaxing this morning. The birds seem to be a little extra loud as they feed and fly this morning. Perhaps they are working extra hard in preparation for April's first thunderstorm which is expected later today.

I think the low clouds tend to make the noise from the nearby highway a little louder and audible from farther away than usual. It's surprising how much you can hear when you take the time to listen. 

Perhaps that's the real problem in our world today -- nobody is really listening.
Or maybe we just hear too much foolishness that we are no longer paying attention to anything that anyone has to say rather than sorting through the noise to find the important voices. 
I've found that I can usually sift through the noise by eliminating the voices that have proven track records of spewing bullshit or constantly adding negative, complaining voices into the cacophony. 

Hmmm...
Maybe every day is an excellent day to stay off of social media.

What voices are you allowing into your life?
How's that working out for you?

It's something to think about.

John

I did a thing...

I finally did something that I've been wanting to do for some time.
I bought this combo gas/charcoal grill and smoker.

It's an old school offset smoke box instead of the more advanced pellet auger, temperature controlled smokers that are available, but I'm pretty old school so it fits. Lowes has free assembly and delivery for grills over $350 so it will be delivered (assembled) on Monday.

I've never used a smoker before. I just love smoked meats. I haven't even used a charcoal grill in many years!
I am looking forward to experimenting and learning to regulate the temperature and smokiness and flavor of the smoker while still enjoying the convenience of the gas grill from time to time. I imagine I'll be spending some YouTube time as a part of my smoker education.

I hope that I enjoy it as much as I anticipate I will. Learning to successfully operate my smoker will be my summer retirement project!

John