The Monks
The Benedictine monk asked "What is your persuasion?" "Excuse me, my... what"? "Your persuasion, are you Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist?" Was it that obvious, I wasn't Catholic? "Oh, I am all of the above". I answered with a smile.
I spent the day in prayer and meditation with the monks of Blue Cloud Abbey of South Dakota. After the Eucharist service, I ate lunch with 22 monks and then went on a tour with Father Thomas.
While showing me around the monastery, I wanted to ask, "How was your relationship with your mother? I didn’t dare. Instead it was “Do you have an organic garden, is the Abbey sustainable?” Remembering, the lousy lunch that was just served.
The Priest’s message for the day was something about “your calling is not to be successful but to be faithful”. The rules of life are to pray and work. I’ve been pondering the message. Maybe, that’s why my life doesn’t look very successful. I thought success is the journey that faith is laid upon. I like to dance, be love, and work comes with ease and grace.
I thought about “Sacred Contracts” by Caroline Myss. Father Thomas has lived in the monastery for 50 years, since he was 14. What happened? Perhaps, his mother wasn’t able to “control” him as a teenager. Was his contract in life to be a monk or a rebel?
Memories
I graciously thanked the Abbey and continued on my journey, to my 30th high school reunion in Aberdeen, SD. Some of the classmates were easy to recognize. Others, I had to get a closer look at their names tags. As Master of Ceremonies, I felt disconnected, who are these people, who am I? Couples married for 30 years. Me divorced, single mom, two “rebellious adult” sons. Why wasn’t one of a monk?
Motorcycles
Continuing on with my travels, I got on the back of a Harley and rode to the Sturgis bike rally. How could I ever have gotten my derriere in shape for that? Stiff, sore, fires, detours, accidents, and a flat tire we finally arrived at the rally. The “Big & Rich/Keith Urban” concert fantastic, rained the entire night. Half a million motorcycles, touring Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and Crazy Horse. An aerial view of the Black Hills, did you know it is the shape of a heart? Having a kindred spirit linked to the buffalo, White Buffalo Woman. I felt more connected to these mammals then my classmates.
What do monks, high school reunions, and motorcycles have in common? It is persuasion, reflection, and graduation. Graduating from fantasy memories of how I thought my life would be. Acceptance with some truth mixed together of how it is.
May we continue to ride with our hair (or no hair) blowing in the wind, free and faithful to our dreams. Here’s to creating what we believe in.
