When we are cold, we need to gather firewood. When we are hungry, we need to hunt for game and berries. When we are thirsty, we need to bring water. But most of the time, we are warm enough, full enough and well-hydrated. But what about our minds and spirits?
Despite having tv sets, internet connections, radios, shelves of books, DVD's stored in the house and musical instruments ready to play, we still need to attend to our spirit. Are we reasonably happy? Feeling upbeat and ready for the day? Are we aware of the beauty of ourselves and our fellow beings? Of the sky, the sun, the night heavens? Our minds are flighty enough that we can't simply pipe cheer and energy out of a wall socket and into our brains and bodies. We have to work at reminding ourselves of the places we've been, where we are and what we will need on the next trip.
This is work for a pastor or rabbi, for writers, artists, musicians, dancers and poets. From birth on, our smiles can lift spirits and recharge internal batteries. It is not always easy work. That 53rd poem may be a little painful to produce, a little frustrating to complete. As we keep at the work of cheerleading, we have to be alert to the need to invent new cheers, to change our costume, create new routines.
There have been times when I had the job of facing that guy from the other school on the mat, dragging him at the right moment into a takedown, if possible, pinning his shoulder blades to the mat. Just a few feet from the two of us sweaty focused guys, attractive, young vivacious girls in sweaters and very short skirts led the crowd in cheers for one or the other of us. I guess in a way, I had the easier job.
I didn't have to forget that my guy wasn't even in the gym, put on my best and happiest smile despite having a cold, and go through my merry, upbeat routine yet again. Sometimes, it is probably easier to search for food, or hoe the garden, or carry water from the stream than to put together another sermon, attend another rally, write and sing another song.
Maybe that is one reason there are many dour faces, dark stories of zombies and vampires, songs of heartbreak. Cheerleading for ourselves and others is honorable work, but it is sometimes more effort than we can even remember to do.
--
Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
