Tag Archives: community

The Coldest Nights of the Year

winter hats scarves on chairOne of my dearest friends is organizing the GR Below Zero Project, which works to collect and distribute scarves, hats, mittens and more to those that need them most.

If you are in the Grand Rapids area, this is a great cause that makes an immediate, tangible difference for the people in our community. Please consider getting involved. I can promise you that this is a credible group with nothing but the best of motivation and intentions.

For too many, what is supposed to be the happiest and most festive time of the year is actually the coldest – physically and emotionally. We can’t change that for everyone, but we can try.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Local, Seasonal

Am I Running Yet?

girl running black on whiteI am not a runner. I just happen to like moving forward quickly sometimes.

Scoff if you must. But I’ve heard others use the phrase “I’m not a vegetarian, I just don’t eat meat,” and it makes sense to me.

These terms – runner and vegetarian – invoke not just an action or choice, but a culture. I’ve gone for a few runs, but I do not see myself joining the larger running culture anytime soon.

Of course, I also used to say I could never live without steak. Huh.

Anyway, here’s the thing: I’ve tried running. Last night saw me go out into my childhood neighborhood for my third official run. I do not make route plans, I do not own a foam roller. I do try to run a couple of times a week. I have no goals, other than to maintain and prevent. I do intend to work toward longer, more consistent runs (meaning with fewer walk breaks).

Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Health

Inclusive, Progressive Humanity

circles within circles rainbow with lines“He drew a circle that shut me out —
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in.”

-From the poem “Outwitted” by Edwin Markham, American poet, 1852-1940

This passage was referenced in a talk I heard recently, and it struck me that this should be a tactic adopted by anyone looking to progress humanity.

Duh, I know. Seems really obvious. Still, the context in which I heard the quote was interesting. I think there are two ways we can look at this:

Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Searching

New Eats and Old Friends

Bartertown restaraunt logoYesterday I met up with some old friends for an afternoon of lunching and sipping.

First of all, it’s always nice to reconnect with the folks who knew you when you were 20 and stupid during the holiday season. Lately I’ve been feeling a little too grown up, and although incubation circumstances keep me from getting crazy, just being around the people who knew me back when can reinvigorate some of that youthful sensibility.

Also lovely was the fact that it was sunny, snowless and over 40 degrees.

Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Local, Seasonal