Drawing from the Well

Full Moon Faith

“...You better believe my faith in you

It is wide and steady as a Texas moon

And when this stuff starts rolling through

It's all innocent wonder in the face of thunder

Feel like something is coming soon.

We can make it, I know we can

Only time will tell

Let's take a walk down to the water

Let's go to the well...”

Doyle Bramhall & Jennifer Warnes (“The Well”)

In my life, I have a select few favorite albums and songs—this is one of them. In this 2001 recording, “The Well,” Jennifer Warnes reaches into her very soul to make the kind of music that sticks to your bones; great songs like “It's Raining” by Naomi Neville, “Invitation to the Blues” by Tom Waits, and even Eddie Arnold's classic, “You Don't Know Me.” My friend, Isie, gave the CD to me when it was new, and I've loved it ever since. This particular song strikes me as being especially appropriate to our time, because it expresses the high-wired anticipation of an unknown future.

My take on our future is this: We can fall into paranoia and fear—and that is what terrorism is aiming for—or we can hang together, and refuse to give up hope. We can join hands and go to the well of living water within ourselves and each other, and draw up the heart and strength to face whatever comes. In any given situation there are either/or choices. Either we embrace pessimism, draw down our tents, circle our wagons and prepare to fight to the death. Or, we take the good with the bad, and try our best to make the most of whatever happens that is different from what has happened before.

In order to take the hopeful route, however, we have to listen to each other with new ears. We have to listen with the intent of understanding, and with the purpose of trying to see through the eyes of those who oppose us and with whom we disagree, especially when those people are our own friends, co-workers, or family. It is always helpful in listening relationships for the criticism to not be personal, not aimed at maiming or wounding the other. Respectful and caring conversation is beneficial; angry rants and cutting sarcasm are not.

“We can make it, I know we can...Only time will tell.” What we do, what we say, and how we say it, matters. I simply refuse to give up on hope or my faith in you.

                                                            In the Spirit,

                                                                Jane