You know you have seen an effective movie when you are still thinking about it three days later. Recently I watched the movie Whiplash, directed by Damien Chazelle; starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons (watch the trailer here). The movie is intense and at the end of it I commented to a friend that I felt like I had been assaulted. The movie is about how far one man will go to challenge members of his elite band to become great. The band leader, Terence Fletcher, played brilliantly by J.K. Simmons, has a philosophy about music and truly great musicians. He believes that the greats will only appear if they are driven to becoming great. He asks his young up-and-coming drummer if he understands “how Charlie Parker became Charlie Parker.” The kid answers, “Jo Jones threw a cymbal at his head.” The two of them agree with the concept that without the abusive actions of Jo Jones, the great jazz saxaphonist, Charlie “Bird” Parker would never have become an elite player.
So goes the movie, with scene after scene of Terence Fletcher verbally and physically abusing every member of the jazz band. He is convinced that he must do this if he is ever to see a “Charlie Parker” or “Buddy Rich” rise up within the ranks of his band.
The day after I watched this movie I found myself contemplating the concepts as I went for a morning run. I wondered about the truth of the ideas presented in the movie. What is it that drives some people to become truly great at something? Is it always an abusive coach? Might it sometimes be an incredibly strong internal drive? Could it ever be a supportive coach? Why did I care to find the answer? Is it important to create the conditions that might generate an elite athlete, a great musician, or a brilliant scientist?
I thought about my own life and how I have often considered that I am much more of a generalist. I dabble in a number of disciplines, but have never become “one of the greats” at any of them. I am attracted to, and have worked hard at learning science, philosophy, theology, leadership, music, triathlons, and writing. What would my life be like if I had desired to become the best in the world at just one of these disciplines?
It soon occurred to me that perhaps we do need both generalists and specialists in our world. The specialist, such as a jazz great, or a Nobel Prize winning scientist, is a vital part of how humanity moves forward in any given discipline. The generalist is one who appreciates the pioneering work of the elite professional and gives their ideas traction in the world. As a generalist who knows something about many of the elite leaders in a variety of fields, the generalist can communicate the joy of discovery and excellence in those fields, inspiring others to achieve greater heights in the varied disciplines. Could it ever be possible that the generalist could play a significant role in gently encouraging the internal motivation that results in a “Charlie Parker?” The “Terence Fletcher method” most assuredly must not be the only method of developing greatness.
Joni Mitchell has a gift for creating pictures of sad personalities. Here as she writes of Richard, she also paints a picture of the person speaking to Richard. This is one of my favourite Joni Mitchell songs.
The Last Time I Saw Richard(Words and music by Joni Mitchell; from the album Blue)
(Listen to the song here.)
The last time I saw Richard was Detroit in ’68,
And he told me all romantics meet the same fate someday
Cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark cafe
You laugh, he said you think you’re immune, go look at your eyes
They’re full of moon
You like roses and kisses and pretty men to tell you
All those pretty lies, pretty lies
When you gonna realize they’re only pretty lies
Only pretty lies, just pretty lies
He put a quarter in the Wurlitzer, and he pushed
Three buttons and the thing began to whirr
And a bar maid came by in fishnet stockings and a bow tie
And she said drink up now it’s gettin’ on time to close
Richard, you haven’t really changed, I said
It’s just that now you’re romanticizing some pain that’s in your head
You got tombs in your eyes, but the songs
You punched are dreaming
Listen, they sing of love so sweet, love so sweet
When you gonna get yourself back on your feet?
Oh and love can be so sweet, love so sweet
Richard got married to a figure skater
And he bought her a dishwasher and a Coffee percolator
And he drinks at home now most nights with the TV on
And all the house lights left up bright
I’m gonna blow this damn candle out
I don’t want Nobody comin’ over to my table
I got nothing to talk to anybody about
All good dreamers pass this way some day
Hidin’ behind bottles in dark cafes
Dark cafes
Only a dark cocoon before I get my gorgeous wings
And fly away
Only a phase, these dark cafe days
Songwriter: Joni Mitchell; Published by Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Joni Mitchell/Crazy Crow Music/Siquomb Music
Woodstock(“Woodstock” is track #8 on the album Shadows And Light (Live). It was written by Joni Mitchell.)
I came upon a child of God
He was walkin’ along the road
And I asked him, I said “Where’re you going?”
This he told me
He said I’m goin’ down to Yasgur’s farm
I’m gonna join in a Rock ‘n’ Roll band
I’m gonna camp out on the land
I’m gonna try and get my soul free, yea
We are stardust
We are golden
And we got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
Well and can I walk beside you?
I’ve come here to lose the smog
And I feel as if I’m a cog
In somethin’ turnin’ round and round and round, hmm
Maybe it is just the time of year
Or maybe it’s the time of man
I don’t know, who I am
But you know, life is for learnin’
We are stardust
We are golden
And we got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
By the time when we got to Woodstock
We were half a million strong
And everywhere you looked
There was a song and a celebration
Everybody was singin’ and dancin’ and sharin’ and havin’ fun
And I dreamed and I saw the bombers
They’re ridin’ shotgun in the sky
And they were turnin’ into butterflies
Above our nation
We are stardust, we are billion year old carbon
We are golden, caught up in the Devil’s bargain
And we got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
We’ve got to get ourselves
Back to some semblance of a garden
Songwriters MITCHELL, JONI; Published by Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Joni Mitchell/Crazy Crow Music/Siquomb Music
Picture us as a group of people locked in a cage. Our daily needs of food and water are met through a hole in the side of the cage. The edges of that hole are razor sharp, but we need food, and so I reach through to pick up what I need, but I cut my arm in the process. Day after day, no matter how many ways I try it, I can’t pick up the food without getting cut.
People often mock me, tell me daily how wrong I’m doing it, and offer their advice of the right way to grab the food. But I can see the cuts on their arms, as fresh as mine. Others offer food for sale, I bought it once, but the soured portions were too small. They didn’t satisfy, and the seller insisted on more payment before he would part with any more food. If I want to eat, the cuts from the cage will be the price I have to pay.
One day somebody new arrives, they don’t offer advice, they visit with me. When they see me cut myself reaching for the food, they quietly reach into their bag and retrieve bandages. Carefully, they take hold of my arm; they look at the wound and make sure it’s not too deep. They bind it with gentle hands.
The next day they show up again. They ask me how my wounds are doing, and when I cut myself again getting today’s food, they retrieve the same bandages and tenderly wrap my arm again. Every day the same: I cut myself reaching for food, they treat the wounds. They clean them and check to make sure the old cuts are healing well. On days I can’t bear to reach through the hole, they share their own food with me. They talk with me as I lament the way things are. We become close friends.
Then one day, while they’re cleaning a fresh cut, I notice their arms, they have scars, but they’re long since healed. “Your arms,” I ask, “why don’t you have any cuts?” They reply, telling me they have a friend who gives them food for free. I’m skeptical, I’ve never heard of such a thing in this cage. They continue, “My friend has been giving me food for a while now, and you can see my cuts are all healed, in fact it was my friend who healed them, and that same friend has given me the bandages I’ve been using to treat your wounds.” “That’s not the way it works around here,” I insist. “What’s the catch?” “No catch,” the response. “Doesn’t sound right to me,” I say. “You should be careful”.
We continue like this for days. Weeks even. My friend doesn’t push the conversation about his friend, but he’s present every day; talking with me, caring for me, sharing his food. Always my friend has fresh food and bandages, but never does he reach through the hole in the cage. Never are there fresh cuts on his arms.
One day I slip while reaching through the hole, and cut myself badly; worse than I have in a long time. I break down while my friend cleans the wound. “I can’t do this anymore! It shouldn’t be this hard. Yet, you’re healthy, and you always have food and supplies – even this friend of yours has got to be better than this! Do you think you can introduce us?” “Absolutely,” he says. “Come walk with me.”
– Tyler Williams 2015
“It’s only words.” “Actions speak louder than words.” “How can you tell if a politician is lying? His lips are moving.” We make these statements and many more like them; but there is another reality. Our words are the only true currency of character that we will ever have. Let me say that again, “Our words are the only true currency of character that we will ever have.” If we spend this treasure with empty or false words, we will never be able to recover our reputation and will be poor indeed.
Words may be just words, but they are very important. Words represent a contractual agreement between conversational participants. Sometimes we can rely upon the facts of how this person has acted in the past. Sometimes, words are all we have.
I am challenged to always make my words true and easy to digest. I want people to sense that every one of my words has been carefully chosen for its meaning in the present context. I want people to be able to understand and trust me. Will you join me in a culture changing revolution? The only ones who stand to lose may be the litigation lawyers; but they can find work other than lawsuits against those who tell untruths.
Oh God, my Father, when it comes to the resources I need for this life and the work you have prepared for me, all I need is everything. I just need Your power, Your Spirit, Your grace, and Your will. I like to think that I can contribute something. But, in truth, I cannot. I can only respond with gratitude. All I need is everything; that is all; oh . . . and the ache in my heart that this song causes . . . but then . . . you have already given that to me.
All I Need Is Everything
written by Bergquist, Karin Michele / Detweiler, Linford Jerome; Over The Rhine
(Listen to it here.)
Slow down, hold still
It’s not as if it’s a matter of will
Someone’s circling, someone’s moving
A little lower than the angels
And it’s got nothing to do with me
The wind blows through the trees
But if I look for it, it won’t come
I tense up, my mind goes numb
There’s nothing harder
Than learning how to receive
Calm down, be still
We’ve got plenty of time to kill
No hand writing on the wall
Just the voice that’s in us all
And you’re whispering to me
Time to get up off my hands and knees
‘Cause if I beg for it, it won’t come
I find nothing but table crumbs
My hands are empty
God, I’ve been naïve
All I need is everything
Inside, outside, feel new skin
All I need is everything
Feel the slip and the grip of grace again
Slow down, hold still
It’s not as if it’s a matter of will
Someone’s circling, someone’s moving
A little lower than the angels
This voice calling me to you
It’s just barely coming through
Still, I clearly hear my name
I’ve been fingering the flame
Like tomorrow’s martyr
It gets harder to believe
All I need is everything
Inside, outside, feel new skin
All I need is everything
Feel the slip and the grip of grace again
So from now till kingdom come
Taste the words on the tip of my tongue
‘Cause we can’t run truth out of town
Only force it underground
The roots grow deeper
In ways we can’t conceive
All I need is everything
Inside, outside feel new skin
All I need is everything
Feel the slip and the grip of grace again
All I need is, all I need
All I need, all I need is
All I need is, all need
All I need, all I need is
All I need
Published by
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
As we approach Easter, our church is reading slowly through the Gospel of John. Today’s reading was from John chapter 8 which contains the story of the woman caught in adultery (read it here). This reading reminded me of a song Mike Charko and I wrote a few years ago and so I share it with you here. It tells the story from the perspective of the woman.
Raise Me
(Words and Music by Mike Charko and Keith Shields; copyright 2011 SOCAN)
(Click here to listen while you read.)
My life is now in the hands of those who know my crime
They stare at me with their hungry eyes
Pious words from their lips hide a bitter rage
We share a crime that’s now all mine
Please let me live
This just isn’t fair
You are guilty like me
My life has been laid bare
Who is this one they take me to, a judge, or just a man
He looks at me with sorrow in his eyes
At my feet he kneels to write words I cannot read
He sees right through all of their lies
Please let me live
This just isn’t fair
You are guilty like me
My life has been laid bare
I can’t escape, a lifetime of mistakes
I want to run; I’m so alone
Please let me live
This just isn’t fair
You are guilty like me
My life has been laid bare
Suddenly, we are alone; are they really gone?
Only one can tell me now my fate
He looks at me with purest love I truly understand
And says to me go, sin no more
Where are my accusers
I have been released
The one who stooped down with me
Has raised me up again
Materialism is a philosophical concept that asserts that everything is, or can be explained, in relation to matter alone.1 Many secular humanists and atheists subscribe to this without reservation. But lately, Materialism is a philosophy in decline. Like many other “sacred cows” of contemporary culture, there are ideas surfacing which will challenge its status in the world. It was once thought that time and space, dualism, determinism, reductionism, locality, causality, realism, and materialism were absolute.2 Today, some quantum theorists and experimental physicists would suggest that these are not as irrefutable as once thought. Let me explain.
As Rachel Wolchover says in Quanta Magazine,
Nature, at the deepest level, may not differentiate between scales. With scale symmetry, physicists start with a basic equation that sets forth a massless collection of particles, each a unique confluence of characteristics such as whether it is matter or antimatter and has positive or negative electric charge. As these particles attract and repel one another and the effects of their interactions cascade like dominoes through the calculations, scale symmetry “breaks,” and masses and lengths spontaneously arise.3
What she is saying is that quantum particles start out as massless, dimensionless, units3 that only develop length, width, height, and mass in relation to one another. Take for example the Higgs Boson: it is theorized that other particles only have mass in relation to the Higgs Boson. It is further theorized, and there is now some evidence to suggest,4 that other elementary particles do not have the three dimensions of length, width, and height except when operated upon by other unknown particles.
What are the philosophical implications of this? If the universe is a massless, dimensionless void except in relation to greater powers, then it seems it would be more accurate to say that we live in a spiritual universe rather than a material universe. Now, if everything starts out dimensionless and ethereal before it solidifies into dimensions and masses, then we are closer to a spirit world than we might have otherwise imagined; and then, truly, everything is holy.
1 “What is Materialism;” Philosophy Now; Michael Philips 2003; https://philosophynow.org/issues/42/What_is_Materialism
2 Huffington Post; “Beyond Reason Blog;” Dave Pruett; March 20, 2015; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-pruett/beyond-reason_1_b_6874664.html
3 “At Multiverse Impasse, a New Theory of Scale;” Natalie Wolchover; Quanta Magazine;
https://www.quantamagazine.org/20140818-at-multiverse-impasse-a-new-theory-of-scale/
4 “Radical New Theory Could Kill the Multiverse Hypothesis;” Wired magazine; Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine Science; August 25, 2014; http://www.wired.com/2014/08/multiverse/
I went for a run yesterday and as it had been a few days since I had been out on the streets of Calgary, my muscles were complaining and suggesting that I was not going to make the full distance I had set out to achieve. I soon recognized this for what it was, a psychological battle. I did not need to convince my muscles, lungs, or heart that they should go on for the full distance, I had to convince my mind. There were several places where I was tempted to cut the run short by taking a path that would get me home sooner. It was not until I had passed the last such short-cut that I found myself relaxing and enjoying the day. When I arrived back at home, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had achieved my goals for both distance and speed.
Convincing oneself to keep on running the full distance is a relatively easy task, but it is a helpful metaphor for the challenges of life. Thomas Jefferson said, “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”1 The author of Hebrews wrote, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . .”2 This day, I will run with endurance and in all things I will seek a right attitude.
1 http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff120994.html#k3Ps1Lm6bXMqHqQp.99
2 Hebrews 12:1,2
“. . . a silence that is overwhelming in its eloquence.”
Somebody should write a book someday about the silences in Scripture. Maybe somebody already has. “For God alone my soul waits in silence,” the psalmist says (62:1), which is the silence of waiting. Or “Be not silent, O God of my praise,” which is the silence of the God we wait for (109:1). “And when the Lamb opened the seventh seal,” says the book of Revelation, “there was silence in heaven” (8: I) – the silence of creation itself coming to an end and of a new creation about to begin. But the silence that has always most haunted me is the silence of Jesus before Pilate. Pilate asks his famous question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), and Jesus answers him with a silence that is overwhelming in its eloquence. In case there should be any question as to what that silence meant, on another occasion Jesus put it into words for his disciple Thomas. “I,” he said, “I am the truth” (14:6). From a sermon by Frederick Buechner entitled “The Truth of Stories;” in The Clown in the Belfry and also in Secrets in the Dark.
With thanks to the Jordan Blasetti and Mahogany Church for drawing my attention to this quote.