mettle test on Ludlow

Last week I was outside the Mediterranean market, the remains of a hastily-eaten gyro before me as I pored over the sixth volume of The Dark Tower and I was interrupted by college kids (and what a strange thing to view collegefolk as "kids" rather than peers) who hailed me as "Sir...?" which entertained more than offended me. One had a video camera, one a microphone, and one a clipboard, if memory serves correctly. They were doing a project on "beliefs" which may have been a thinly veiled assignment from christian college, but if it was they left out denominational speak.

I put my book down, willing to oblige their assignment.

"Do you believe in God?"

I winced, sensing the christian puppet strings behind the question. "I believe in something bigger than myself but not necessarily a 'god.' I think whatever humans call 'god' is far beyond comprehension and certainly cannot be understood in human terms."

"Do you consider yourself religious?"

Another wince, but I disguised it better this time as I had time to sense the theme of the inquisition. "I consider myself spiritual, but not religious."

"What do you think of when I say 'religion'?"

"Corruption. Meddling. Bad things. Men lusting for power, stuff like that."

"What do you think your purpose in life is?"

Without hesitation "To create. To write and make songs and inspire others to create."

They thanked me, moved on. I felt like I had passed a little test of the universe. I have wisdom, but I'm not always mindful of it. I interpreted the chance meeting as a way to test my mettle. All I need to be constantly mindful is to have someone interrogate me all the time. Perhaps that's why I'm a teacher and further, why I perhaps need to spawn a little question-machine of my own, to parlez my wisdom to, pass down lessons and such, feed his/her eager brain sponge with my life's earned gems, forged from hardship and joy, but mostly to keep me in a state of perpetual mindfulness.

It's been one year since I flew halfway across the world and emerged from the chrysalis as an adult. It's time to be actively sagelike. My first big writing project is to revisit the blogs from China, try to shape them into some sort of linear book. The music part is rolling forward; I'm playing the hurricane benefit October 1st, a whole 45 minute set for my North American debut. I'm enjoying the high I'm on right now for I know, this too shall pass....
I'm mindful of that.