just be

i have the privilege of working with a group called youth spirit artworks to develop ways that they could partner with students at the graduate theological union. ysa works with youth in south and west berkeley, through berkeley technical high school, to make art... selling it so the students make money, and guiding them in finding their voice and creativity. doing this "research" has taught me soo much i feel blessed to have the opportunity.

as i wondered what to do with this summer (this being one of the projects i am DOing), it was all about what i could do, do, do. and then i reflect on how a large part of living god's call to just... that loving kindness walking humbly bit... is simply about being. being presence. being love.

this is something i am terrible at.

i have so much to "do" all the time (entirely my fault, by the way) that if i am no "do"-ing, i feel useless, unproductive, and simply not valuable to myself or others. and yet, when i think of the real places i have "value" in life... as a friend, as a family member, as a community member, the valued part comes from just being.

as i try to spend time with youth spirit artworks, the challenge for me is just being. not having to be painting. not having to be interviewing. not having to lead. simply being with the students, and being with the program.

the summer is half over. i am about to leave on a mission trip (another place RIPE for possibilities and opportunities to practice this just being thing) but there is still time to try to be and not do.