RISING TO OUR OCCASION…
Shortly after losing our 12-year old son to cancer, I wrote to our main doctors at M.D. Anderson, thanking them for doing the best they could. I said “Life is tough. Life is unfair. Yet life is good, and well worth the living.” I believed that at the time, and knew that our too-soon departed son would want us to grieve his passing and honor him and ourselves with our remaining lives well-lived. And that has proven to be true.
Now, I find myself experiencing another profound feeling of loss as we are disappointed and alarmed by the current very real threats to democracy, representative governance, and the future for ourselves, our families, and our communities. And yet, having just marked a significant birthdate, I’m reminded that I can still make the most of the remainder of my days by filling my chalice with the positive, and by striving to serve others as I’m able. It starts with my friend in the mirror.
To a great extent, the choice is in how we fill our hearts and minds and how we respond to the challenges of life, politics and community. I’ve spent a career in business negotiation, organizational management, fund-raising and political consulting. I’ve had my successes and met many wonderful folks in the pursuit of community building. But those struggles take their toll on body, mind and spirit, and I’m realizing that I need to make a late-course correction in my life, thought and action patterns.
THE CATALYST OF CONSPIRARE…
We recently attended a delightful concert of the Grammy-winning choral group Conspirare, featuring their amazing Artistic Director Craig Hella Johnson. Craig is a multi-talented pianist, conductor, writer and singer who led the audience in the enjoyment of a unique diversity of music…with some fun singalongs…
The participatory concert was exactly what we needed. Fun, inspiring, touching, provocative…a musical ministry for hearts and minds. Most of us felt we were exactly where we were meant to be. That if there is a God, SHE was orchestrating this profound experience for this most receptive audience.
I left humbled, inspired and prompted to determine how I might better serve myself, my partner, my family and community in the few years (hopefully) that I have left. I’m thinking that art and music, natural beauty, and acts of generosity/kindness should be my trademark going forward. Music has been a signicant influence in my life, and my wonderful world-class curator partner brings the world of art to complement my need for beauty. I’ve been given enriching resources to share. Now, it’s up to me.
At the former Southwest Craft Center (now UTSA affiliate)…San Antonio
Our featured gallery at Austin’s ZACH Theatre…with art by Shanny Lott, underwritten by Bettye Nowlin…
Our musical skylight by glass artist Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend (co-founder of Austin’s Renaissance Glass,) now residing in California…
IN CLOSING…
I can’t help being concerned about the politics that dramatically affect us all. However, my “resistance” efforts will serve my health, family and community best if I take a kinder and gentler creative approach. I need to minimize the political jousting and expand my community outreach through art, music, philanthropy within our means, and kindness. Many of you are my role models. Let’s join together to rebuild this Country, encouraging competent, thoughtful leadership whom we can support while we practice generosity and kindness.
