What can love do today?

We are human.  To be human is to have faults.  To be faithful and loving is to exercise purpose and self-control such that our faith and our love shine above, through and beyond the rest that we do.  To be human is to have a diversity of strengths too.

Coffee roasting is a hobby of mine.  It is an extension of a long journey of taking a little time each day to pursue a better cup today than yesterday.  Unlike some pursuits that seem to require a lot of time, at least in spurts, and perhaps a lot of time and arranging of one’s schedule, this is a brief daily practice.  It has produced some wonderful results, and low and behold, it is even cost effective.  It brings joy to me, my spouse and others with whom I share coffee.  In my cupboard with my coffee are notes, carefully taken so I can keep track and learn – by making changes based on my observed experience – and striving to do consistently better.

Being faithful and loving is another daily pursuit; my integrity rests upon my efforts to be faithful and loving.  Being human, I find faithful and loving ways of being requires conscious, practiced effort to move from a state of intention – to be faithful and loving – to actually being faithful and loving. It requires daily effort, like coffee.

Modulating is a key skill in my being on that journey.  Being human, there are a variety of gifts and impulses that come with the package.  Each of us has our own package of gifts and impulses, and well, in my case, liabilities, too.  To name one, things I like to do, I am tempted to do in excess.

Eating, playful pursuits, conversing, hiking, even reading – are things I can do to excess.  One result of excess is that too much indulgence results in being undependable, self-absorbed, and frankly, off track from my intentions.  Off track because I choose to be faithful and loving.  Off track because I choose to live as a member.  I am a member of a family, I am a member – along with my wife – of a marriage.  I am a member of a monthly meeting.  I am a member of a book club, a spiritual companions group, and a member of various friendship circles and volunteer circles.

Showing up to these membership commitments is step one.  Showing up in order is step two.  Showing up and staying in good order, with resonant humanity on offer, is step three.  Indulging my desire for excesses runs counter to step one – showing up – on time; and it may run counter to step two – showing up in good order.  And, I’ve found, if I slip up on step two, then I am off the track for step three – keeping engaged with the modulation of humanity and its little joys, gifts and foibles, with others, and with my intentions – being a good member, even being the best member that I know how to be. 

Daily Practice: Step one, followed by step two, followed by step three, and modulated by attending to purpose and situation.   Life goes better.  More on good order will follow in the next post.  Thanks for reading. Sign up to receive a notice when  new post appears.  Let’s practice daily to hold the Light, and one another in the Light – that we might become our potential.