Reasons renewed

Now I'm ready to write a little more personal reflection on watching the funeral. I have been away from writing for a significant period and it feels really wrong. In recent weeks I have felt positively nagged by it. Then conversely, disillusioned with any effort. Writing is work and requires vision, passion. Work and passion must be joined by discipline. And with the reengagement with writing comes a renewed struggle to recommit to all three, the work, the vision, and the discipline. To do that I must ask myself repeatedly, why do I want to write? For what purpose? What's motivating me to do so?

The first part of this answer lies in acknowledging a satisfaction I derive from writing that I don't experience any where else. I try to understanding this intellectually. Is it ego that drives me? Is a failure of some other dynamic in my life in me that pushes me to write? Is something that I just need to get 'out of my system'? I don't know what or how the psychological draw to writing operates in me. I just know that it's persistant. Next, I recognize that in my life situations I have had the good fortune to experience certain successes and encouragements. Even though they are not recent they still stir a sense of possibility, and a need to reconnect with my writing practices. Then last of all, there is a spiritual dimension to the issue. If I can find opportunities to provide spiritual support to others by writing I wish to do so. I have the nagging "ought to's" about writing, it's what I ought to be doing, in one form or another.
I have the past couple weeks had an increasing interest in getting back into the writing habit. Even bought a new pen. However, it was the remarks made by Pres. Bush this morning about Ronald Reagan and how he viewed his mission on earth, how he recognized God's call on our nation as well as on himself, and how he put all his energies in to serving these purposes that has been a great source of encouragement today. I'm not especially patriotic or nationally minded, but I am convinced that God has created us to walk in his good purposes and we each have a responsibility to identify both his purposes as well as the tools and opportunities he presents for us to employ them. That is the vision I came away with from the funeral. May it strengthen my work, passion and discipline in the days ahead.

The funeral of the 40th president was televised at work today. Along with other staff members I wandered back and forth from my office to the screen across the hall and joined in the reflection on the life of an outstanding person, Ronald Reagan. As his life was recounted with antecdotes, proverbs, and quips a memory emerged of a national leader who lived his life with integrity, sincerity, and gentle humor. Here was a person who followed his vision with an earnestness and directness matched by few, as a person who could inspire confidence in our nation and in the world at large because he owned a vision of life that embraced the goodness of God at work in the land of the living.

I remember the Reagan years with a great fondness. And I want to revisit them. I want to draw from this man's passing a renewed quest for bringing the best of myself to the communities that I inhabit. I want to articulate the truth, as well as inspire, encourage, and support a spirit of hope in those around me. I want to remember the good humor and forthrightness of Mr. Reagan and draw inspiration from his spirit.

Today presents a rare opportunity, to commemorate on a great life. As this day, filled with the tributes and shared memories of one of the world's great leaders, sends us as a nation to place of contemplation may we return to our daily lives with renewed spirits and ideals.