Pomplamoose: All the Single Ladies

If you haven’t heard of this clever indie music duo yet, here’s just a quick sample of what they bring to the table.  Everything I’ve seen from them is fun, and has an organic feel.

Enjoy!

I’m with Coco

I got a chance to watch Conan’s last taping of The Tonight Show over the weekend.  And, while it was funny, the best part were his words at the end.  He challenged people to avoid cynicism, as it is ineffective and pointless.  He capped it off with this:

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.

The hardest obstacle to overcoming cynicism lies in tackling your own heart.  That dark place where you hide your fears, your warts, your anger.  To excise those negative, life-sucking areas is humbling, hard work.  But the rewards are amazing.  It’s not about changing people, but about changing how you see people.

Or situations.

Right now it is 5 degrees here in MI with the windchill factor.  And I lost my job of 11 years last Friday afternoon.  The only job I’ve ever had.  The urge to give in to cynicism and anger is almost irresistible.

But..

But the sun is shining, and it’s so cheerful.  And I have amazing friends who have reached out to me with a word of kindness or encouragement.  And I know that God is with me through this as well.

And, I’m Happy.

Really Happy.   In spite of it all.  I know there’s a tough road ahead of me in the MI economy.  But I’m okay.  I’m healthy.  I’m loved, and I get to love people back.  And there is coffee and chocolate in the world, so life is good.

I feel a new bond with Conan as we both lost our jobs on the same day.  I mean, really, we’re practically kindred spirits now.  Blood-siblings (except with out the gross blood part – unless you count the blood-sucking “Man” that did us both in!)  So, call me Coco!  We’ll chat and compare networking strategies and next steps. 🙂

Wednesday night haiku

Dinner with girlfriends
Wasabi, sushi, ginger.
Laughter, talking. Yum.

Hallelujah

This the ear candy that has been playing in my head since Friday night.  I’ve been a fan of Leonard Cohen since a college boyfriend introduced me to him over a decade ago.  He is a poet; both his songwriting and chords resonate in me in a unique way.

He performed in Detroit last year, and I wish I could have seen him live.  But, for all my respect for him, I prefer Jeff Buckley’s cover of “Hallelujah” to Cohen’s.  Rufus Wainwright’s is excellent as well.  Buckley’s version is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it.

Love is not a victory march.  It’s a cold and it’s a broken “hallelujah”.  ~Leonard Cohen

Heartbreak

I know I’m behind the curve on this one.  By now, so many people have written about the disaster that is Haiti right now.   I’m reminded of the Asian tsunami in 2004 and, to some extent, Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  There are many wonderful agencies who are working to serve the people of Haiti.  I haven’t decided which route I’m going to take in supporting relief efforts, but it’s nice to have a choice.

This was a terrible disaster, and my heart breaks for all those involved – both the residents of Haiti and their worried loved ones around the globe.  One bright light in this dark valley is the outpouring of compassion from people all over.  Not only in my small church praying for all involved – and looking for the best way to support efforts – but also around the interwebs.  Everywhere you look people are offering information on how to get involved, and are sharing their shock, hurt, worries with one another.

Sometimes the internet can feel so impersonal, and then something like this happens and you realize that it’s possible for it to become a community; a family that looks out for each other and cares about one another.
If you are so inclined – would you please join me in praying for both the people of Haiti as well as their worried loved ones around the globe?  My prayer is for safety and for healing of their bodies and their hearts.  That this would be an opportunity for people to join together in a spirit of unity and compassion.  That God would surround them with a sense of His peace and the presence of His love.  The enemy would like nothing more than to bring division, fear, hatred and jealousy to that nation.  My fervent prayer is that his plans to do harm would come to nought.

And please, if you have the means, get involved in the healing process.

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.   James 2:15-17

How to start the new year

Step One:  Don’t panic!

Step Two:  Don’t kick yourself if you don’t have any “grand” resolutions.   Be positive, be kind to yourself.  Every day is a chance to grow, to improve.  But also to enjoy exactly where you’re at.

Step Three:  Don’t drag last year’s grudges into this year.  Take the opportunity to forgive and move on.  Anger and resentment come with heavy baggage.  Maybe it’s time to lighten your load!

Finally:  Yay! Welcome to a new year full of prospects!  Each day comes with the promise of hope and happiness.  You just have to choose to see the good in the world.  May you embrace the changes and chances that present themselves to you.  And may 2010 be a year of wonderful new beginnings.