Days 2, 3, 4, 5: Lessons in the small stuff

Day 2 reminded me that I find joy in clearing my to do piles at work. In that I found happiness today. Simple stuff, but worked for me in my search for gratitude.

Day 3 I nearly skipped while walking the dogs. The greens were amazing. So for all the rain, the result was pure brilliance. I'll take the bitter with the sweet along my path.

Day 4 reminded me that even when I feel fragile as a parent, there are other parents feeling the same thing. What I thought was going to be a hassle of calling all the parents who did not RSVP for their kid coming to Nate's b-day party was actually a gift - a reminder that other parents sometimes miss the little details, that other spouses/partners don't always communicate things like kids' activity schedules and that the black hole of Nate's backpack seems to have other locations as well. I found gratitude in the reminders to lighten up on parenthood.

Day 5 Laughed with YMCA kids making "ants on a log" (celery, raisins and cream cheese). Little kids make ya smile. I need to hang out with the little guys more.

May 1, Day 1: 100 days of peace

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

These simple thoughts started me on the idea of a 100 days of peace. Intellectual, spiritual, physical peace... although world peace would not be too bad either.

I had lofty intentions to spend the day focused on gratitude. Reality? Not so much.

The day started with weariness from all the travel and unfulfilled expectations; I'm afraid I let a bunch of people down at NAYDO by not getting to spend much time with them.

I was even tempted to say, "I'll start tomorrow." As I lashed out a few times at the little aggravations of parenthood, I thought, "Perhaps this is not such a good idea."

But here it is day one and for all the challenges, I am going to chose to end the day at peace with myself. I'm going to choose the little things and "count them" as steps on my new peace pathway.

I'll save the big things of peace for another day. Today I count five actions as honest moments of peace.

* I apologized sincerely to the kids when I spoke out in anger.
* I tidied up the house, not looking for praise but rather because if brought me calm at the end of the day.
* I walked both dogs and enjoyed the brilliant greens of spring.
* Two loads of laundry...not very exciting to most, but the chore brought me a sense of order.
* I took the kids for Puccini's and Orange Leaf and just relaxed.

Small moments of gratitude for the blessings in my life. I will embrace them.

Oh, and I just heard on the late news...Bin Laden is dead. I still pray that maybe peace in the world is possible afterall.

Elder Wisdom

Some days it hits me more than others just how incredibly blessed I am.

Today was one of those days.

Somehow fortune smiled upon me in the form of Lexington sage who found me and decided I was worth investment - in time, spirit and wisdom. His to give that is and mine to reap!

There is something quite remarkable when someone who has no apparent benefit, no profit motive, and possibly no additional gain to himself takes an interest to mentor, coach, stretch you.

Such has been my adventure over the past year. Wonderful one-on-ones, a tasty lunch at some cool place and amazing conversation and thought.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, he's decided to introduce me to new folks... other wise elders willing to share a thought, idea, dream, challenge.

In a world content with emails and tweets, postings and texts, I float in the joy of leisurely lunch topics and a world of seventy-something insight.

Let me soak it all in. May I use it well. May I pass it on.

The World Feels Small

At this time of great loss and suffering, the world feels small.

I see the loss and devastation - lives and infrastructure - in Sendai, the coastal Y near the Japan earthquake's epicenter. Where I feel joy for those I know from Tokyo who are safe and accounted, but I also experience immense sadness for those I do not know but feel a kindred spirit with in Sendai. I wonder what would I do if my world was threatened so violently in an instant?

I feel the frustration of a friend in Israel with so much on his plate and few supportive resources when he needs them most. I contemplate how to do more.

I ponder the faces of children playing in trash rubble in Kosovo that a friend posts on Facebook. While I hear my own children bicker over petty items. I renew my commitment to expose them to realities which will strengthen their character.

I admire a friend who followed his dream of time with immediate family and a move loser to extended family. I resolve to build in real moments of connection with my own crew - near and far.

My nightly prayers should be interesting.

New Year, new start...

I've had a few reality checks of late... on pretty much every front and to the core in several. The particulars are not all that important. But the offering, the gift through it all have been enlightening to me.

Perspective is significant. I tend to pride myself on seeing multiple viewpoints.

But in the end perspective only gets you so far. And often only as far as my own perspective yields itself.

But I have come to see faith as the greatest consequence, the essential nugget that turned any of my possible reactions into the more valuable opportunity. Faith allowed the fear to subside. The first step to be taken.

And so I embrace the New Year, the new start. The cliche, not unnoticed by me... but clinched none-the-less.

Architectural Detail

Just a few views of the Jerusalem International YMCA.

Sermon in Stone

The minute I walked up to the Jerusalem International YMCA, I felt a sense of peace.

As I reflected on the appearance of the buildings, I thought that the individuals who designed and built the incredible facility were like the great cathedral builders of the Renaissance period. Field Marshal Edmund Lord Allenby captured it best when he said, "The sentiment that has inspired the designers and builders of this monumental edifice should now move the nations to agree that now is the time and Jerusalem the place for ending their differences." He said that in 1933, but the words are still so very true.

The JIY founded in 1878, met in the early years near the Old City. It has a fascinating history related to World War I with the Turkish authorities and British troops. World War II also brought more soldiers to JIY. The 1948 War tore the city apart into Jordanian Arab and Israeli Jewish sides, and the International Red Cross recognized the uniqueness of the YMCA as a safe zone for noncombatents. The 1967 Six Day War brought... well, you get the idea. I will leave those stories for the historians who tell the details better than I could after only one visit.

Dr. Archibald Harte was the general secretary (CEO) at JIY who inspired James Jarvie to give a million dollars in the 1920's to help construct a permanent place for the YMCA in Jerusalem. Harte had a big vision for JIY and it was global. Jarvie saw that and help make it a reality.

When JIY purchased the plot on which it still sits today, it was high in the middle of desert land. But the vision was for it to hold a place that would serve as a beacon of peace and hope. The Greek Orthodox Church sold the land - my understanding is that the sale was itself unusual for the Church to part with such prime property.

JIY holds a prominent place in Jerusalem. Its commitment to being a safe space for the three monotheistic faiths is lived out each and every day. The unique mix of recreational community center, hotel, meeting space, restaraunt, kindergarten, and arts and humanities swirl together, truly in harmony.

The first thing that catches your eye if you approach from King David Street is a tile plaque that reads in Arabic, Hebrew and English "Here is a place whose atmosphere is peace where political and religious jealousies can be forgotten and international unity be fostered and developed." That is a quote from Lord Allenby as well. I have a plaque in my office that carries the message as well.

The JIY has remained faithful to those sentimients for generations. Leaders (staff and volunteer) have floated in and out of that time, but the utter devotion to mission is palpupable. The place just has a vibe about it that calms yet stirs deeper thought.

The campus has three sections representing symbolically spirit, mind and body. No matter where you look there is indeed a sermon in stone that causes you to stop, enjoy and ponder. Every nook has something in which to delight. Each space encourages dialogue.

Staff, members and guests flow in and out of the facility for various reasons - meetings, recreation, education, study and fellowship. I could have done little else other than observe for days on end. The people were fascinating in their diversity of ethnicity, language, age, dress and purpose.

The arches and domes of the faciliity are something to see. The Three Arches patio was a respite of peace. The flowers lovely, the small fish pond cool and the surrounding trees' visual beauty spectacular.

The old library while not fully in use any more was quiet, musty. Yet endearing. The librarian Ms. Rita made me smile just looking and listening to her. And twice during my stay a Jewish choir used the library at night to practice. Wonderful melodies wafting through the JIY.

The pool reminded me a lot of old downtown Ys in the USA - great original tile work that really stands out from our new practical pools. It was the only pool in Jerusalem until the 60's!

Where the soccer fields used to be behind the building, there is now construction for a huge development of condos, a public park and a YMCA recreational center (under ground). Those fields were once famous... as Jerusalem's soccer teams played Israeli and international teams.

The gym was small and reminded me of a rural high school gym, well other than the amazing domed ceiling! While I was there NBA players from the US came over from the Kind DAvid Hotel (across the street) to play a game.

The auditorium is state of the art in terms of acoustics and visual appeal. It hosts national concert and orchestral events. The Chamber Series was in play during my visit. And activists used the occassion to protest treatment of Arabs (not the Y's treatment, national treament). The JIY simply had a large gathering at which the group could throw their peaceful (yet slightly disruptive) protest.

The Peace Preschool is perhaps one of the most known portions of the JIY. Muslim, Chrisitan and Jewish children gather each day to learn and grow. A new facelift of cool murals and coats of paint as well as a new outside play space brought a lot of joy to the kids and their families.


The bell tower is of course one of the most recognizable parts of the JIY. Up close its stone work is incredible. You can see the tower from almost anywhere in Jerusalem. I used it as a navigational reference whenever I wondered out for walks.

The architect for the Jerusalem YMCA was with the same firm that designed the Empire State Building in New York. Arthur Loomis Harmon, who did the design, worked with Harte to make sure the buildings captured symbols from early Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Some of the stone work was from the same quarries of the Second Temple. I cannot do it justice but the pictures give the best idea of the stone work, lighting, cross-vaulted ceilings, inlaid tile work, murals, etc.

The way the place is laid out is symbolic of the trinity and of spirit, mind and body. The auditorium being one part of the U shape - for spirit and cultural activities. The middle section of the facility being for the offices, hotel, lounges, meeting rooms, kindergarten and library... representing the intellect. And the gym and pool being the other portion of the U shape, obviously for the body. Number symbols abound as well with 40 columns, 12 windows, etc. Bible and Koran scriptures adore stones, carved scenes tell stories.

Byzantine and Oriental styles aside, there was nothing like the views from the top of the tower. It allowed for a breath-taking snapshot of all city, mounts and deserts.

Oh, I just have to stop. You have to go. You have to stand in awe and walk with new surprises awaiting you as you turn each corner.