On Sunday, Rev. Lola Wright kicked off our new September series, “Shining Brightly,” with her message, “Courage, Curiosity, Creativity … YOU’RE CONTAGIOUS.”
Talk Notes
Opening:
My strength flows ever on
My son noah built new/ark and
I stood proudly at the helm
as we sailed on a soft summer day
I turned myself into myself and was
Jesus
men intone my loving name
All praises All praises
I am the one who would save
I sowed diamonds in my backyard
My bowels deliver uranium
the filings from my fingernails are
semi-precious jewels
On a trip north
I caught a cold and blew
My nose giving oil to the arab world
I am so hip even my errors are correct
I sailed west to reach east and had to round off
the earth as I went
The hair from my head thinned and gold was laid
across three continents
I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal
I cannot be comprehended
except by my permission
I mean . . . I . . . can fly
like a bird in the sky . . .
SLIDE: An Excerpt from “Ego-Tripping (there may be a reason)” by Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni’s first trip to Africa was in 1972, the year of the publication of this poem. Many of the great ancient African civilizations–the Egyptians, the Carthaginians, the Ethiopians–contributed to the later glories of Greek, Roman, and Norman life, and in these civilizations much of modern life finds its origins. Giovanni aligns herself with these beginnings and the possibilities they offer in “Ego-Tripping,” as she celebrates being black and female.
Objectives:
The Icarus Deception – we are at greater risk of flying too low than of ever flying too high
Inoculate yourself from FEAR – you are susceptible
It is not that fear will go away rather you will be able to witness the fear and choose curiosity
SLIDE: Everything is contagious. Our fear is contagious and our courage is contagious. – Elizabeth Gilbert
You are an artist – you have come here to create.
HOW HIGH WILL YOU FLY?
Keywords/Stories:
Colin Kaepernick 49ers player not standing during national anthem (Jesus was not the founder of a religion but rather a practical anarchist)
SLIDE: Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them underfoot and turn around and maul you. – Matthew 7.6 NRSV
Work with the willing
ON BEING Choosing Curiosity Over Fear with Elizabeth Gilbert & Krista Tippet
SLIDE: Courage is the willingness to speak the truth about what you see and to own what you say. – Seth Godin
Curiosity is an eagerness to know or to learn; inquisitive. – Dictionary.com
Creativity is our shared human inheritance that chooses the path of curiosity over the path of fear. – Elizabeth Gilbert
Curiosity – How do I smaller myself?
Andy to the Veterinary Behaviorist – I can’t believe I have become one of those people
Trip to New York – play poor on social media
Allison tour of house
Courage to Die
SLIDE: Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die. – Tom Delaney (blues/jazz composer)
Die to old relationships that don’t raise you up.
Die to old ways of being that no longer serve you.
Die to the negative thought patterns and self criticism that hold you back.
Creativity – the Universe is looking for human collaborators
… will you be receptive or will it pass you by and will the next person pick it up – everyone has had a great idea
SLIDE: Ideas are conscious and living and have great desire to be made and they spin through the cosmos looking for human collaborators. – Elizabeth Gilbert
HOW HIGH WILL YOU FLY?
Summary:
Honor You – Not everyone will appreciate you #ShiningBrightly – THAT’S OK
Be selective, curate your company and be with people that raise up…you don’t need those that throw shade
SLIDE: Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them underfoot and turn around and maul you. – Matthew 7.6 NRSV
Closing:
SLIDE: A gift creates imbalance; it strengthens the tribe; it moves the game forward. – Seth Godin
Practice of Forgiveness (Prayer & Meditation) for the voices, the people that have held us back, smallered us, kept us low
