Living This Life--The Adventure Begins

Adventure 1—Laumeier Sculpture Park
An amazing park filled with interesting sculptures and a nature walk. There are classes, art fairs and all types of events to be enjoyed throughout the year. Check them out! As I walked this park I have to admit I did not get the “messages” in the artwork. I do, however, get how amazingly talented and disciplined people are to master a craft. I hope to be so disciplined one day. The piece that intrigued me most was the gigantic eye-ball. This big ol’ eye brought to my heart the scripture in 2 Chronicles 16:9 which says, “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” Oh, how I need God’s strength to be fully committed! Strengthen me, oh, Lord!

Adventure 2—Cathedral Basilica
This Catholic Church holds the world’s largest collection of mosaics. Those who know me know how lofty temples are detestable to me—but go to enjoy the beauty, for sure. Take the tour—it is interesting to learn how the mosaics were commissioned, completed and installed. The docent also gives information on the meaning of the murals—it is fascinating! A group was gathering as I entered the narthex—they were a family preparing to go on a tour with the guide. I asked if I could join the group. While the docent was glad to have me some in the group looked strangely at me. I just smiled. I decided to really be part of the group and just chat it up with them. Some loosened up while a couple of the ladies were clearly uncomfortable. It took a bit of an “umph” for me to make the request. I wonder how many wonderful experiences we miss out on because we either stand off from others or reject the presence of “outsiders.” I sure hope that I am open to receiving others in my circle and I am determined to (appropriately) insert myself in a group when I want to be part of a group. #humans

Adventure 3—Fast Lanes Classic Cars, Inc
I googled “things to do in St. Charles” and this place popped up—so I went! I saw some amazing old cars. One, in particular, would be a wonderful birthday gift for me—just in case you were wondering what to get me (September 27). It is a shiny black 1970 Ford Mustang in mint condition. Since I was born in 1970 this is the PERFECT gift idea! (heeheehee) I met Laura, the owner. I love meeting women in non-traditional fields. We spent a few minutes chatting about careers, family and women’s issues. She was personable and funny—someone I’d like to spend more time around. I almost left without talking to her—she asked if she could help me and we went on chatting from there. I was instantly relaxed in conversation—I found myself pleasantly surprised. I remember the day when I would have shied away feeling too ‘unequal’ to engage conversation. I have come to appreciate the different graces each brings to the whole. While different in operation we are the same in value. Wow! I finally recognize what I bring has value. This is a day of marked success. I do not know the moment when I finally “got it” but I will forever remember this moment when my old self wanted to cower down but my new self stood tall and be’d.

Adventure 4—Hiking at Castlewood State Park
This is an amazing and large park where you can go and hike a different trail each time. My favorite is to hike up the bluff overlooking the Meramec River. Take with you a poncho, walking stick (if you have one), a snack, charged phone, water, bug spray and wear a hat. For me this is an amazing place to retreat and reflect. I usually cry at some point. I really could spend the day out there—however, I don’t usually have a whole day. So, I hike half of my time and then turn around and go back. Usually, about two hours is enough. I hiked this day with a girlfriend—a woman I met through protesting. As we chatted with our hearts open we shed tears, laughed, talked family, hopes, expectations, personal challenges and the wonders of an Almighty God. We happened up on an old tree that looked as if it had really been through something. The branches were broken and there were few leaves on its crown. Yet, it was very much alive. As we got closer we examined the vine growing around the tree which is now feeding off the tree while giving the tree new purpose and new life. There are so many analogies one can draw from this picture. As I struggle with the effectiveness of traditional church it was clear a new vine can wrap around an old tree and be both sustained by it while at the same time giving it new purpose. They that have an ear, let them hear.

Adventure 5—Filming in a live television studio
Sundays at 6:30pm I am a co-host of a radio show called Kingdom Conversations. We hosted a luncheon to raise sponsorship for the program. From working the room, chit-chatting, to “performing” live this was a life experience. After the show I was so exhausted I could not move the rest of the day. What happened? As I reflected I remembered that one’s personality and the expression thereof is one’s spirit expressing—emptying. I was empty, for sure. Being “on” for several hours drained the life out of me. There must be a way to be “on” without being so completely emptied out—shouldn’t there?

Adventure 6—Lincoln Memorial Site (Springfield, Illinois)
After taking the wrong highway for the planned adventure I forged ahead to Springfield, Illinois—less than two hours from St. Louis. I arrived early enough to tour the Lincoln Museum and historic neighbor where he lived. It was moving to learn about some of his neighbors, every-day women, who by choice or force found themselves unmarried—yet, they were homeowners and business owners. This was very empowering. My biggest take-away, however, had to do with Lincoln himself. Lincoln had the opportunity to take the Emancipation Proclamation to a deeper level. Instead, he played it safe. He died anyway. I could hear the Great Spirit whispering in the wind, “Don’t worry about the risk—be who you were designed to be, do what you were born to do.” Yes, Creator, I hear you and I feel you—I just don’t understand you. In due time, I suppose. In due time.

Adventure 7—St. Louis African Arts Festival
This free event is in Forest Park each year. There are beautiful and powerful musicians, singers, dancers, poets, griots, and more! Of , there are also a lot of vendors selling art, objects, products and food! The biggest impact for me was hearing a poet—name unknown to me. I walked up on her performance late, so I don’t know exactly what she was talking about. However, she was pointing at people and saying, “You’ve got to do it.” When she pointed at me my spirit leapt. “When the spirit tells you, you’ve got to do it.” Well, I am not sure what the “it” is but when “it” is presented I will do “it,” for sure!

The world around you is filled with adventure opportunities--seize the opportunity!

Living this Life is more than seeing sights and doing things--living is fully engaging in the world around you--the people and the elements.

We many not be brave enough or confident enough or ???? enough to fully engage--that’s okay. Courage and confidence are built as we take the risk to step out and dare explore the world and allow ourselves to be explored. There will be epic fails from time to time. The fails will not outnumber the successes, so keep living! Be fully alive and see that the best is yet to come!

Read my summary reflection “Discovering Me”...feel free to leave comments and share!