Witnesses of Tolerance

Tolerance, by Jaume Plensa
via glasstire

Driving through Houston, you may discover the seven sculptures of Tolerance by Jaume Plensa. At night, they are illuminated and sit like peaceful guardians, keeping watch over the city.

The figures are composed on individual letters. The artist grew up with a love for books and sees each letter as a symbol of the individual. Together, the letters come together to create language, culture, and humanity. 

The Voice Project: Songs for Forgiveness

Voyage Home, by Joe Carr

Have you heard about the Voice Project? It began with surviving women in Uganda singing songs to call their sons back from war, to let them know they've been forgiven. Now artists are recording cover songs in support of the peace movement. 

Check out the LA Ladies' Choir singing "Hallelujah."

Everyone Serves a Porpoise

Everyone Serves a Porpoise, by Berkeley Illustration
via Yes and Yes

Think of this at your next meeting and smile.

Walking Meditation

Maiden Crone, by Bonnie Wildwood

The great teacher Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that we try walking meditation while holding the hand of a child.

I would also suggest visiting an elderly relative or friend and walking with them. I visited my grandmother this weekend, and going at her pace, stopping with her to smile at the people we passed by, and remembering that growing old and frail is a natural part of life were all great lessons for me. 

Postmodern Hymn: If It's Magic

Here's a little Stevie Wonder for you.

"If it's special 

Then with it why aren't we as careful 

As making sure we dress in style 

Posing pictures with a smile 

Keeping danger from a child."

Just a gentle reminder to take care of your life, dear friends.

Playful Songs

Western Meadowlark, by Adam Grimm

Did you know that some cultures consider the meadowlark to be capable of human speech? 

Arapaho mothers would feed their children meadowlark meat or eggs for four days and say certain prayers to give their children the gift of eloquence.

But meadowlarks are also thought to say mocking or dirty things! The bird that creates great orators is itself a joker. 

May our speech by playful, wise, and fearless.

Song of the Day: Good Life

I've been listening to a lot of Richard Julian lately, a singer-song writer that works with Norah Jones as part of the Little Willies. What I enjoy about Richard is his way with words—he's poetic and sarcastic and opens up new ways of seeing the world—and the movement in the melodies that he creates with his guitar.

Here's one of my favorites.

If you like what you hear, check out "Love of Mine," "World Keeps On," or "If a Heart Breaks." The last one is a play on the koan "If a tree falls . . . "