a defense of art

picasso once said that "art is a lie that makes us realize truth." and really, this is what art and literature and plays are: deceits that probe the human condition. the exaggerations that could not exist in the real world are allowed to take form and create meaning in art. the hidden subtleties of life can be examined through the lens of a story. the incomprehensible darkness of humanity can be explored in cinema. by drawing our attention to the varied facets of the human condition, the arts give us a glimpse into the larger picture and the larger questions. What does it mean to be human? What are the implications of eternity?

and thus we can step onto a higher plane. we can not only look at our lives from a utilitarian viewpoint, but also from the perspective of beauty. through the art we create, we can catch a deep and raw glimpse of our feelings, ideals, and values. and, in doing so, we can become more than machines whose happiness dials have been set to "maximize." art is indeed a lie, but behind those lies are the voices of humanity.

daring to move

once again, i've fallen into the same old pattern. living for myself, caught in my own desires, unable to move beyond yesterday. is this life? is it this mindless cycle, where the world just moves and i follow? i'm running the rat race, knowing that something is wrong, yet doing nothing to get out.

but no more. yes, the world moves, and sometimes it's all we can do just to keep up. but there are times when i can move too. when my world stands on the edge of a knife, i can turn my fate. and so it is to this purpose that i write, and struggle, and press on. this doesn't mean that tomorrow is necessarily better. but tomorrow can always be new, and i look for it with new eyes.

De profundis clamo ad te domine.

what is real?

tell me, which do you prefer, a dream world of hidden slavery or a free world of injustice? what if i now told you that the unjust world is the real one, and the dream world is but a mental construct? that the dream world is but a slavery of the mind in the unjust world? 

of course this is stolen from the Matrix, but it still holds a good point. how much are you willing to search for the truth? what if the truth is not what you expected or wanted it to be? are you willing to face that risk?

bridges

sometimes the bridges you build end up in places that you never expected. just don't be afraid to land on a shore that you did not intend or an island that you weren't planning on visiting. just go with it, and your bridges will be the better for it. because when they veer off to unexpected detours, that's when your heart has taken over. and that is not such a bad thing.

sing

sing, o soul, of joy and wonder
for He reigns
and will walk beside you to the end.

run, my feet, along the sunbeams of laughter
where the burdens are small
and the steps are of tangible light
for He has taken your burdens and cares
and thrown them to the wayside.

dance, oh spirit, with the waves of thundering hosannas
where there is naught left
but to say Holy, Holy, Holy
for He sits in a cloud of unapproachable light
forevermore.

cry out, my heart, when the darkness seems too great
where the road has faded away to nothing
do not be afraid
for He is there, even then
and will guide you out of that blindness.

and sing, all that is in me
for He beckons
bringing abundant life
and the promise
of a full life.

live deep

the armband has become nearly ubiquitous. a bright yellow circle of promise, with the words "LIVE STRONG" lightly etched into the side. in a way, it's a challenge; the words exhort us to live hard, live well, live with strength and dignity.

great goals to be sure. but what about depth? the words say "live strong," but it says nothing about living deeply, in and beyond the moment. it's fine to rush along on top of the waves of today, but if that's all you do for the rest of your life, can you really say that you've lived life to the fullest? for living to the fullest does not only imply breadth but also depth.

how many of us live deep? have you explored not only the shores of emotion but also the abyss of the soul? have you dared to sit in the solitude of your thoughts and face whatever may come? have you lived not only in the moment but also beyond the moment, with body, mind, and soul? can you say that you grasp the depth of Humanity's nobility, treachery, virtue, and fury, and have seen the same in the dark corners of your soul?

but such is the human condition; to fear what is unknown, to seek the comfortable, and to build a fortress of security around what little we have. let us dare to wade out until we are in over our heads, and when we are there, to find that we are human.

whisper

at first i held the pain in a cage
who would understand?

the world tumbles around me
the human spirit fails
as a once-strong bond of love frays to
nothing
as the circle of trust is broken
as distractions take me off the narrow path
obstacles stand between me and Him
courage fails
where can i turn to?

and i cried out to You
where are You
why do you plunge me through this grief
relentlessly
i know You are there
but i can't feel it

You are the Almighty
save me from this!
this cup is too bitter

but then
a whisper
gentle

I'm here
I know you're calling
haven't I said I'd be there?
stop placing Me out of reach
I want to draw you near
and place you close to my heart
yes I am Lord and Creator

but I am also your Friend.

and I love you.
give me your pain
and i will give you peace.