inspiration

Inspiration means to breathe spirit into, and I am totally immersed in inspiration this morning. I have been moved to tears so many times in these past few days it is not even funny (not that I'd think that WOULD be funny). What has inspired me? The first thing that has inspired me is a guitarist that goes under the name of the John Butler Trio. Here's the link to the song that has inspired me - it's called "Ocean." What moves me so much about John's playing is that I can feel pure Spirit coming from him, and it's the most beautiful thing when that happens - see if you can feel it, too. It's like being Home. And his face - oh, that beautiful face... My sweet son Erik found this for me - thanks, honey, for this - I love you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VAkOhXIsI0

Barack Obama has inspired me, several times over. For goodness sakes, it's not even about politics anymore for me - it's about saving this country, saving the planet, saving everyone. How can we save anything if we're divided and angry and violent? Thanks to Karsmy for sending the link to this next video that moves me to tears every single time I've watched it (and I've watched it SEVERAL times, along with making all of my children and husband watch it, as well). Again, it's the passion and love that emanates from Barack - he's honorable, he cares, he wants so desperately to make a difference, and he wants to unite us all. Again, I don't give a darn if you're Republican or Democrat - I'm not going to vote for the lesser of two evils if there's an amazing candidate out there. I'm going to vote with my heart. "We are one people. We are one nation." Here are the lyrics, followed by the link:

Lyrics:
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...they will only grow louder and more dissonant ........... We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea --

Yes. We. Can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHEO_fG3mm4

Another thing that has inspired me lately is the energy behind the elections. People are becoming interested again - there's PASSION and FIRE. It MATTERS. Even Erik is talking about. He used to think it was a big joke, I think, but I don't think he thinks that anymore. Kari got to stand 20 feet from Hillary when she came to Augsburg to speak - she was so moved. Hillary is a brilliant woman, I agree. And I'm inspired by John McCain having the passion to go for it, at age 71 - heck, WE get tired by 9:30PM, and we're WAY younger than 71. Mitt Romney inspires me with his diligence and persistence.

My sweet husband inspires me. He is running for Public Service Commissioner, and is traveling the state, making phone calls, sending e-mails, having me do work (hah). He is passionate about the office, and is passionate about wind energy, especially (me, too - you'll get two for the price of one on that one when he gets elected, you can bet on it). He's passionate about being a servant of the people. He has integrity. That is my word of the hour - integrity. It comes from the root word which means "whole," and that's what it means, I think. Being a whole person, and operating out of that wholeness, so that our words match our deeds and our thoughts. Our Spirit works WITH our Mind to create an integrated life and vision. My husband has integrity. That inspires me.

So that's it for today - I'm off to help the kids put on their ice skates for gym class, then off to walk at Concordia, then off to run errands. I've been using my early morning minutes to pray, and I love it. I pray for my whole family, one by one, holding them gently in my hands, wishing them the best for their lives. Then I pray for all of my friends, then neighbors, teachers, public officials. I keep expanding my list until I am holding the whole world gently in the palms of my hands. It is precious, and we are so tiny. But we are precious, too. And that is what I love. And that is what inspires me.