Brief Thoughts from Bren

During Lent we can choose to do something that crushes us a little bit, something that grinds us down, maybe even breaks us a bit. Not in a morbid, harmful sort of way but in a way that releases a healing balm, a balm that will course through our veins infusing us with an upside-down kind of power — the power of kindness, of decency, of compassion, of gentleness.

Have you taken a look at our blog lately? I admit, I am partial to writers and writing. I am lucky to live with some very talented people. And they are sharing with us — so much is happening, so much to share. There is a whole lot of writing going on and we hope there is a whole lot of reading going on, too. Here are a few recent blog posts I think you’ll love.

We thirst for big things — social justice, an end to apartheid, an end to systemic racism, for good paying jobs, that our children will be safe, that this planet can be saved, for an end to systemic sexism, and for so much more. It is all right to thirst for big things. But we also thirst for kindness. We are starved for cool, refreshing drinks of water. We want to be seen, to be known, to be shown kindness on the smallest scale. Small, kind gestures give life. And many small kindnesses just may add up to accomplishing some of these bigger ambitions.

…my going deep is playwriting. It is the way I pray. It is my deepest form of prayer. I need to go deep in order to go more powerfully out. I am no more capable now than before of giving time to getting the plays produced. That isn’t the point. The point is to tap into that reservoir of prayer. Mystic (playwriting). Activist (social justice).

Leisure is an end in itself, a time to dwell on the beauty of creation, to read a challenging book, to be carried away listening to a soaring symphony, to catch one’s breath at a stunning work of art, a time to step back to admire the work that one has done. It is a time to worship and pray, the highest forms of leisure. It is a time to contemplate goodness and allow that goodness and all these meaningful activities to re-create us.