I have been in a state of wander for the past few weeks, not physically--I have a work/home routine that doesn't vary much from day-to-day--but in a mental and spiritual sense. I have found myself in a few surreal places, and I would like to share those experiences with you! It doesn't necessarily have to do with God, but it's the journey towards something bigger than ourselves that really matters, right? At least that's what I feel is true at this particular moment!
Nonetheless, I'm am just going to briefly describe the surreality that I experienced and let it ruminate with you, and we'll see where we all end up!
Place #1: Zeke's in Ames, Iowa
I went to Ames, last weekend, to watch a band I had recently found out about play for an album release show! Now, it wasn't really the music, it wasn't really the place, nor the people. However, there is something surreal about being able to catch up with a sweet dude that you haven't seen in a VERY long time. My buddy Hutch was playing in one of the bands, and it was a blessing to be in his presence again. There is a certain energy about him that really just lifts me up and puts me in a better place. We didn't get to talk much, considering there was a concert going on, and he was preparing to play their set, but even for those few moments it was awesome. Whenever we get together, we're always like, "We need to hang-out more often. It's stupid that we don't meet up considering we live in the same city, not that far part!" However, it's always the random ass moments that brings up together, but it's always surreal!Place #2: Java Joe's in Des Moines, Iowa
Last night I went to Java Joe's Coffee Shop to show support for one of my co-workers, initially. He and his better half do acoustic sets in coffee shop type settings and together they make beautiful music. In and of itself, the experience of hearing them perform is surreal enough. However, a couple days ago, when I initially found out about the show, River (my co-worker) told me that I should write a poem to perform as a part of their set. So, I did. However, it should be made known that I had only read poetry one time before last night, so I'm by no means an expert or professional. However, the night before last, I sat in my residence, turned the tv off, listened to some music, and wrote a brand new poem for the task of reading it during the set. River was constructing the music, I filled up with some friendly banter, and then it happened... the music hit me, the mood was right, and I began to read the poem. It was the longest one I had written/read to this date, and it flowed [nearly] seamlessly from the piece of paper to the ears of the people listening. When it was over, I had no idea what had happened--it was if it was all a fog, but everybody said it was awesome. The power of words and music can make for a surreal experience at any given time!Place #3: Boys & Girls Club in Des Moines, Iowa
So, I work at the club, and there is a daily grind that happens there. It's office work, running around doing random crap for higher-ups, and just doing meaningless crap throughout the morning and early afternoon. Sometimes, I'll actually do some work, but it's been the rarity for most of my time in my new position. However, the magic happens when I take off my office duty hat, and put on the "let's hang out with kids" hat. There is something about the kids I get to work with that makes for some surreal situations. I'm not always the nicest person, but sometimes you need to be firm with them... even though my firm isn't always the same as other peoples'! To no fault of theirs. However, outside of the kids, there have been moments where the staff and I have stepped into conversations where, we were elevated to new places for a mere moment. We transcend the daily grind of work and go to places where we are living life together rather than operating in a falsely manufactured relationship... it's surreal all around. The kids, the co-workers and the moments where I know for a fact that life is worth living, even though they are typically few and far between!After thinking about all of this, I am brought back to a sermon that I had the privilege of constructing and delivering during my time in Milwaukee. I forget which one it was exactly, but it was about the power of the little things. How, that in the parable of "Two in the field," it says that nobody knows the time or the place where things will happen. You have to take the time to appreciate the little things in life, so that you don't lose out on a magical moment!
Take time to smell the roses, because you never know what surreal experience it might bring; where you might end up; who might change your life! Let's live a better life... TOGETHER!
-Andy J. Graves
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