I too know why the caged bird sings...

I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns rays and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

by Dr. Maya Angelou

Some musings.

So, I am going to try to post more often. Correnta has encouraged me to continue sharing my thoughts with the world. Well, not the world so much, but my corner of it anyway. I don't have much to say today, but I would like to share my life motto. I don't know if motto is a good word, but it is a way I want to live.

I want to live in the present. I long to be a person who lives fully, authenitically, and courageously. Life full throttle, whatever that looks like.

It is a journey and I am just beginning, but it is exciting. Im always ready for a challenge. This is the biggest one yet.

The Wedding!

It was great to see old friends!!
Monica and Nat! (Nat flew in from Colorado for the wedding).
Rhonda and I
Ryan and Sheri




Ryan's wedding was amazing. It was wonderful to see my friend so happy and excited! The ceremony itself was moving and very classy. As Sheri walked down the aisle I really thought about Jesus. I thought that one day I (we) will be able to meet him in the way a bride meets her husband. It was a moving moment for me. I have never had a moment like that at a wedding before. Priceless!
Also it was just fun. I had an opportunity to see so many friends from back in the day. I love to dance and we had some good moments gettin our grove on at the reception :)
Anyway for all of you who are interested here are some pics.

Longing

So, I've been thinking recently about life. What does it really mean to live? When I think of that word it carries weighty connotations. Living to me now means fully experiencing life. It means being present and completely immersing myself into whatever is going on right now. So, whether I am in turmoil or terror or passion I am present. In this presence it is not only about me, but being present with God and others as well.
From reading this you may think that being present = being emotional, but that is only a component. I want to be intellectually present as well. Consider it. Do you pay attention to your thoughts or do you allow your mind to run while you are occupied with other things (this frequently happens to me while I am reading)? Or, even when you're praying, how often are you completely present in what your asking God for? I often pay no attention as my mind runs, I call it resting from the day.
I am beginning to call it escaping. It's so easy to escape and not think. It's a survival technique. Actually, I believe much of my life has been merely surviving. Somehow I've learned to long for less, to desire less so that I am not disappointed. Then just make it through each day not expecting much to happen. Today however, I am happy to report that I am beginning to long for life.
I used to define life as sacred and secular. When I wasn't doing something sacred it was hard for me to see the purpose in it. This related to all areas in my life even conversations. Now, I know there is no distinction. Everything is sacred. This concept brought fear at first, but not anymore. Freedom is around the corner. And now....I am longing for it.