I was awake much of the night enjoying the sound of the rain. It is music to my ears. The kittens got up with me so I sat and listened and watched them move, rest, play. They are fascinating and so attuned. They like to be where I am and yet they maintain their own space so the three of us were up in the night.
I finished the book on Muhammad Ali. He is an inspiration and his ego is a curiosity to me. Perhaps we do each need to claim our individuality, and yet, I believe there is also a place to let it go. I remember reading of the strong ego of Mother Theresa. That is how she got things done. Ali is the same.
I began a fascinating book, This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin. He writes of a man who gained the trust of villagers in the country of Lesotho. When they asked him to join in their songs, he said that he didn't sing.
"The villagers found his objection puzzling and inexplicable. The Sotho consider singing an ordinary, everyday activity performed by everyone, young and old, men and women, not an activity reserved for a special few."
"The villagers just stared at Jim and said, "What do you mean you don't sing?! You talk!" Jim told me later, "It was as odd to them as if I told them I don't walk or dance, even though I have both my legs." Singing and dancing were a natural activity in everybody's lives, seamlessly integrated and involving everyone. The Sesotho verb for singing (ho bina), as in many of the world's languages, also means to dance; there is no distinction, since it is assumed that singing involves bodily movement."
So sing and dance today.
Also, I request prayers for Mitchell, a young man who required emergency surgery this week.
We never know, so value the preciousness of this day, the moments, and if you are blessed to have it, enjoy the rich sound of rain.
