Welcome to E-spiration, which are brief reflections and ideas for living that will come to you on no set schedule, but as surprises that I hope will uplift your day and help you discover more of your own personal power and creativity.
E-spirations are my opportunity to communicate briefly one on one, friend to friend, with those who read my books, have heard me speak, or are simply interested (as I am) in discovering within themselves the vibrant spirit of God.
July 14, 2008
I love to bicycle, and part of the fun is the camaraderie with my bicycle buddies. Weekly, we’ll pedal about 18 miles through urban streets to our favorite breakfast stop, a funky little restaurant called Shirley’s where they’re more used to bikers than bicyclists, but where the oatmeal is hot, the pancakes are big, and the price is low.
Talk is always light-hearted and laugh-filled. We’re an eclectic mix of people: A dentist, a real-estate developer, a woman who cleans houses, a teacher, a brick layer, a retired mail carrier, an IT manager, a yoga teacher…what we have in common is our love of cycling. New people to the group introduce themselves by first names only, and instead of that All-American question, “What do you do?” the first question asked is usually, “So, how long you been cycling?” I learn about occupations indirectly and gradually through conversations that deal more with life interests than job interests.
If you belong to a group that is built around a particular interest—whether it’s hiking or quilting or singing barbershop harmony—you know how easily people of myriad backgrounds can get along when everyone shares a particular focus.
Today it occurred to me that all major religions of the world share one focus. At the core, all are centered on the idea of love for one another. Whether Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, or Hindus…read deeply in any sacred scriptures and a loving concern for one another is voiced. Just for today, wouldn’t it be wonderful if people everywhere could focus on what we have in common and ignore the superficial differences that separate us? Wouldn’t it be great if we could relate to one another in the same light-hearted and generous-spirited way that I see occurring with my bicycle buddies?
