One Beating Heart
a Valentine's reminder...
This week, I invite you to join me as we explore our collective heart…
LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY
Tomorrow is Abraham Lincoln’s 216th birthday. I’ve been reading some of this beautiful soul’s writings lately, as I struggle to make sense of where we are now.
MUSIC: A LINCOLN PORTRAIT by AARON COPLAND
Considered by many to be the definitive performance, by the NY Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, with narration by the great William Warfield. Side note: When Sheridan played violin in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, they gave a performance of A Lincoln Portrait at the Union League of Philadelphia, with narration by actor Edward Herrmann…
Lest we forget…may this government of, by, and for the people, not perish from the earth…
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Delivered at Gettysburg, Pa.
Nov. 19th 1863
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
OPEN HEARTS
My brother-in-law Rob underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery on December 31, 2004. 20 years later, he’s doing so well. What a gift to my sister C (and to all of us)! It’s too easy to take medical advances for granted, but I’m very thankful for every one—and for the gifted and compassionate professionals who’ve added years to so many lives.
MUSIC: A MANTRA FOR TODAY by YA-JHU YANG
Yaj based her gorgeous chamber piece on the version of the Prayer of Saint Francis that was prayed by Mother Teresa. Click the title above to watch (that’s Ya-Jhu on piano); here are the lyrics:
That where there is hatred, I may bring love.
That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness,
That where there is discord, I may bring harmony,
That where there is error, I may bring truth,
That where there is doubt, I may bring faith,
That where there is despair, I may bring hope,
That where there are shadows, I may bring light,
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
OSCAR-NOMINATED SHORT VIDEO: INSTRUMENTS OF A BEATING HEART
Take a few minutes to enjoy this lovely little film up for an Academy Award this year, featuring a first grade class in a Japanese elementary school preparing for a performance of “Ode to Joy.” I was struck by the children’s hard work, strong sense of community, and tender care for one another.
BLOG PREVIEW: THE ROCKY ROAD TO NIRVANA
I struggle in yoga class with things like intentions for my practice, and mantras. Most times my “intention” is “get up off my mat without grabbing a chair for support,” and my mantra is: “Focus, Elise!!!” This week I go searching for other magical meditative phrases…
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK: by EMILY DICKINSON
I’m very guilty of the all-or-nothing approach to life…if I can’t save the ENTIRE world, why bother? Emily’s poem brings me back to basics. This week, I will celebrate the power of helping even just one living creature. Remember: if we each do one, we’re all covered! Have a loving week, my friends!
