Whimsical Wednesday, June 27, 2012

For something completely different, this week for Whimsical Wednesday I have a video.  I came across this video yesterday and was fascinated by the hours and design that went into this creation.  And, honestly, something in me still feels that childlike joy that always came from setting dominoes up and then knocking them down.  So, seeing them fall into the design of one of my favorite pieces of art is just that much more fun.  I hope you enjoy!  (And I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!)

A Weekend Smile

When I saw this video last week for the first time, it totally made me smile, and even cry a little, watching the surprise and overwhelming excitement on the girl's face.  I couldn't resist sharing it here:

They Buried Him in a Hurry

I've been using 24-7 Prayer's Lenten podcasts as a way to reflect in the lead-up to Easter.  Today's reflection from Carla Harding struck me deeply.  "They buried Him in a hurry..."

The Power of Introverts: Thoughts on Group Work

Some of you might have seen this video when I posted it on facebook a few days back.  I came across it via a blog about introverts in the church, and stopped to watch.  What I saw felt like a breath of fresh air in the midst of a semester of intense group work.  Here was someone who was validating me - who had found strong words to describe the things I was thinking, feeling and experiencing.

So, watch the video, and then I'll share a few thoughts from Susan Cain's talk below:


She had me from the first words.  I was that kid at summer camp.  In fact, I went to summer camp once, on a weekend, when I was around ten years old, and I never went back.  I hated it!  I couldn't figure out this atmosphere with all the stimulation, and the games that required me to make a fool of myself.  And I would have been right alongside Susan Cain in wondering why on earth we needed to misspell "rowdie"!

Perhaps what stood out for me the most in this talk, though, were Cain's observations about a world that is designed for extroverts. I have felt guilty for preferring a quiet dinner with friends, or time alone over a raucous evening out.  I have been that person who felt shouted down, or the one who didn't share an idea, or even feel an idea germinate, because the strength and charisma of an extrovert I was working with was driving the group process.  I loved that she emphasized that it's not a dislike of extroverts.  And I love that she discussed that there is value in group work, and in solitude, and that what is really needed is a greater balance.  That has been my complaint this semester.  I'm not against group work, I just feel overwhelmed by the stimulation of it, and it's an atmosphere that isn't all that conducive to my personal learning or creativity.  I'd love to see a greater balance of individual and group learning, rather than "all group work, all the time." I'm not saying that collaboration is bad, simply that it could use more balance.

I'd like to close by listing Cain's three calls to action, and inviting you to discuss them in the comments:

1. Stop the madness for constant group work!  Just stop it!  Create an atmosphere that has much more room for autonomy, privacy and freedom in schools and workplaces.
2. Go to the wilderness!  Make room to have your own revelations, and not just group think.
3. What's inside your suitcase? Why did you put it there?

I'd love to hear your answers to this last call to action.  

My suitcase still has the books it had when I was a child, but now there's the constant presence of a journal, a set of pens, and maybe even a laptop.  There is food, and maybe a scarf so I'm ready for all sorts of weather and adventure.  These are the things that reflect me - that I love to eat and share.  That I read and write and listen.  That I'm hungry - for food and information.  And that from time to time, I do love an adventure.  I just prefer the sort that require a scarf instead of ropes, screaming, and even body armor!

Blue Like Jazz

Blue Like Jazz, the movie, opens next week, and I wanted to share the official trailer with you all.  I think it looks fabulous, and I'm definitely hoping it will come to Canada.  If it doesn't, well, then, I'm jealous of those of you who get to see it in a theatre!  Go check it out, and then drop me a note to let me know how it was!  I loved the book, I supported the record-breaking Kickstarter project to fund the movie, and now I can't wait to actually get to see the movie.

Some Thoughts on Grief, and a Project You Can Support

I haven't talked about it a lot here, because none of the stories are mine to tell, but I've been an observer of grief quite a lot over the last year.  Several friends lost parents to cancer, others have children who have been terminally ill, or who face lives that won't play out in an "american dream" kind of way.  On a personal level, I've walked through the process of grieving changes in living circumstances, relationships, and many other things.  These days it seems like every week brings news of a new death, or someone else who is battling for life, or facing dramatic changes in circumstance that must be grieved.  At times the onslaught of news has been overwhelming and left me struggling to process and understand the pain I was experiencing and that people I care deeply for are walking out.

All of these experiences combined made my heart leap when my friend Karla Adolphe sent out an email indicating that the next album she was planning to record was aiming to be a resource for those walking through the process of grief.  More than that, her desire is to have this album be a free resource - not an album for sale, but one that she can give away to those who are grieving.

I was with Karla at a worship gathering where she led recently, and was reminded all over again of the power of her voice, and the way Jesus uses it.  I'm so excited to see the way God will work through this new album, not only because of the topic, but because of Karla's unique ability to invite the hearts of her audience to connect with Jesus.

This is a clip of one of the songs that will be on the album, played publicly for the first time recently, at a concert in Colorado:



The exciting part about this project for me is the chance that we have to support it. Maybe you remember a year or so ago, when the Blue Like Jazz movie went viral with it's Kickstarter fundraising campaign? Well, Karla is doing something similar to raise funds for this album. You can go to THIS site to participate. I've borrowed the following, explaining just a bit more about the heart of the album, from the fundraising site:

About a year ago Karla was privileged to be at the hospital when a dear family said goodbye to their daughter. In the midst of that beautiful and heart-wrenching day Karla witnessed music play an important role in the early stages of grief.


The goal is to create a resource to help people through the process of grief, and because of this Karla will not recoup any of her $9800 budget with cd sales. The goal is to raise at least $7500 by April 1, 2012 to cover the costs of recording, producing, mixing and mastering and marketing the album.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic of grief, and I'd love to hear if you were able to support Karla in this project.  As always, leave me a comment!

CHECK OUT THE FUNDRAISING SITE HERE!

Some Video Love

I came across the following videos on the weekend, and knew that I had to share all of them here.

They are animations of bookshelves and a book shop that are incredibly creative and well-done!  I hope someday my bookshelves come alive like these!

2011 Video Review

I came across this fascinating visual and video review of 2011 this morning, and wanted to share it here.

Christmas Fun

In the spirit of Christmas, here are two totally opposite Christmas videos that made me smile recently.

The first is a take on Bohemian Rhapsody, and made me chuckle with the clever lyrical rewrite.

The second is a flash mob musical in a mall, and made me laugh simply for the sheer joy of the shock on peoples' faces as the participants burst into song.

Aflight

Ian over at Shallowfrozenwater posted this video last week, and I had to share it with all of you, since I found it truly lovely, and reminiscent of the way creation so often cries out of God in my heart.  I watch something like this and find myself in awe, and wanting to worship.



Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Amazing to Others

Jon Acuff linked to this video yesterday, and I had to share it here as well.

Something Beautiful

I came across this video on several blogs this week, and knew I had to share it... It's such a lovely blessing and prayer...  May you know that you're an integral part of something beautiful this weekend!

Held

With all the scheduling of posts I do to accomodate my various weekly series, and my work schedule, I feel like this space often doesn't have the day to day journal feel that it has so often had. I'm hoping to get back to sharing in that manner in the days to come, but lately have really struggled to find words, and to balance the things I want to share with the world with the things that need to be treasured and guarded within me.

That said, let me share a little with you today.

This has been a really hard week. One where the highs were really high, and the lows were really low. There has been relational stuff, and work stuff, and personal stuff, and health stuff. I don't really recommend it, actually. There have been joys of experiencing new things, and struggles with family. There has been the ongoing struggle to find a healthy balance of work and social and rest, and this week has not been a success in that way.

And yet, in a way I haven't experienced in a while, I've been incredibly aware of Jesus drawing near, and offering peace. Not storms being stilled, or necessarily even shelter from the storms, but a stillness and sense of protection in the midst of the buffeting.

Last weekend Kirsten posted a beautiful tribute to her son Ewan on his first birthday. (As a side note, you really need to check out Kirsten's blog, and Ewan's story if you haven't.) One of the songs she used in the video was "Held" by Natalie Grant. Honestly, as I watched the video at the time, I was so caught up in the images she was sharing (and the tears that came in watching the tribute to her special little boy), that I wasn't paying all that much attention to the lyrics of the song.  They are however, very appropriate for Kirsten and James and Ewan's story, and they have stayed with me this week.

One line in particular has played over and over in my head through this week:

"This is what it means to be held."

As I have navigated the highs and lows, the joy and the pain, I have been aware of something underlying it all.  In the middle of the day on Wednesday I paused, considered that underlying sense, and had to smile.  "So that's what 'peace that passes understanding' feels like."  This week, as I've talked with Jesus through all the things that have gone on, I have had peace that has surprised and comforted me.  I have been held.  And I'm so grateful for that

Monday Inspiration

I came across this video the other day, and wanted to share it here.  So, here's a little bit of inspiration for your Monday.  See you tomorrow for what may just be the final edition (for now anyway!) of You Ask, I Answer.

Move. Learn. Eat.

Have you seen these videos yet?  I loved them.



MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.




EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Six Songs Collide

I came across this video yesterday, referred from a blog that I read.  I loved it - loved the way they combined all the different songs into something special.  I listened to it over and over all day, and knew I had to share it with you.  So, while I'm off answering phones and temping today, you should take the five minutes or so to kick back and enjoy this video.

Her Morning Elegance

From what I know, this video has been out for quite a while, but I just saw it for the first time the other day and thought it so creative that I simply had to share it.  I've also included a short "the making of" video, since I found it very interesting as well.

Mute

Earlier this week I came across this video on a blog I read and it made me laugh, so I had to share.

World Air Traffic

The travel geek in me found this incredibly fascinating.
ht to Adam Mclane

FITE

I appreciate Kiva.org and the work they do with microloans, so I was excited when I came across this new project that they're launching, specifically targeting women.

I loved the video.  I thought it was very well done, and wanted to share it with you as well.