Friday, March 28, 2008

Brian’s Reflection: Friday, March 28, 2008


I believe only in art and failure.

- Jane Rule, author, Canadian,
born on this day, 1931


I believe that, somewhere deep within, all human beings understand what Jane has said. Certainly her insight (and presumably her experience) is at the heart of the Christian religion. It says that God wants human beings to live fully and freely. And it says that the way to that life and liberation is through the unflinching recognition, embrace, and forgiveness from all the unloving acts we commit. Art and Failure.

The 1979 Book of Common Prayer (Episcopal) was the first to include forms for “making a confession”. Perhaps the compilers were deeply aware of how much we human beings in our time need to accept failure and need to experience how joyous Life can be. And that it is a gift that comes from the God we know in Jesus Christ. We call it Grace – the exhilarating, giddy feeling that Life Itself, God, the Universe, is on our side, cheering us on. We may get trapped by our own inner demons, but Help is on the way!

Repentance and Life. This is the fulcrum pattern for both honestly facing our capacity for unloving, destructive behaviour, and our capacity for love and healing.

Believe in “failure” and Live Artfully today!

Brian+ (from Pismo Beach, in “retirement”)

p.s. Jane also said: “People genuinely happy in their choices seem less often tempted to force them on other people than those who feel martyred and broken by their lives.” I have a feeling that this is the problem with a lot of religious people these days, especially the “extremists” of all stripes.

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