I’m a self-diagnosed multi-tasker. It’s almost impossible, at any given time, to find me only doing one thing. I have to be doing multiple things at once or at least be thinking about numerous things in any given moment, it’s just the way my mind works. In a strange way, it actually helps my mind to focus or to come alive and start to create new thoughts.
I’m currently making lunch, reading 2 different articles, listening to music and writing the words you’re reading. All these different things bring me inspiration. It’s like the synapses start firing and my mind comes to life. And let me tell you, sometimes it takes a lot for my brain to come to life. It can stay dormant for a long time, with no new ideas or thoughts. But once the caffeine from my coffee, the music and different activities start to work, my brain comes alive.
Feeling alive
It’s kind of like a mini-euphoria. Like breathing in crisp, fresh air in the mountains or the feeling you get after a long run. It’s these things that our bodies and minds long for. And its these exact things that we almost never experience. We’re surrounded by man made things, by an artificial world that gives the appearance of stimulation but lacks something about the reality of the world that God created.
In this man made world, we also lack real and authentic community. We have created parts of community in numerous different ways but it’s left us depleted from true friendships or deep relationships.
Getting creative with a poem
About 6 years ago I wrote a poem about authenticity. I know that this is different from any other posts I have done and is certainly different than what you normally read on Christian Today. But perhaps there are some people that secretly love poetry.
Sitting on the dock looking into beautiful fear
The ocean spread like a canvas with its waves splashing color off the 2D image
Making it 3D
The wind crashing on my face and through my hair
Filling my lungs
Salt, feels heavy and causes a cough
Reminding me that this is no easy task
Another glance at the expanse shows beauty sitting
Waiting to be played in
Another wave and crash of lightning brings reality
The water is playing on my cheeks
The splendor laid before me looks inviting
“Jump!” my mind says to the body
Is this real? Could it be, that reality isn’t defined in 2D?
Those questions tear at my heart as I fix my eyes on the clouds above
Clouds that are filled with electricity lighting up the scenery around me
The picture around me surprises my thoughts
It looks so very like my heart
Waves, lightning, moon, salt, expanse, even the dock I am sitting on
Possibilities of the ocean are endless, if only I would jump
Frightening and pathetic views of my own self are overshadowed by the images my brain is trying to comprehend
But memories don’t go away so easily and neither do past failures
Authenticity is so close I can feel it, it’s on my face and in my lungs
It’s in the clouds and in the ocean
I jump
My challenge to myself and the reader: Find out what makes you come alive, and then do it.
Jason LaLone was on staff at YWAM Brisbane and is currently in America working with Truro Anglican Church located in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about discipleship, taking Jesus’ command to make disciples a practical reality that he can live on a daily basis. He loves lasagna, cats and used to dislike Mondays, making him most like Garfield.
Jason LaLone’s previous articles might be viewed at: http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/Jason-LaLone.html