I have a new office, a new team of coworkers, a new bike route, and a new schedule. at my new office, one of the oddest things has been a particular break room not too far from my desk. I’ll try not to ruin your appetite, so just believe me when i tell you that the funky odor vehmenating from this room is one of the weirdest / nastiest / disgusting smells i have ever encountered on a regular basis. i actually walk 50 yards out of my way on a regular basis to avoid it.

and what’s even more strange, it’s almost like i’m the only one who notices it. when i do happen to walk by it, i see people having meetings in it, or eating lunch, or even just hanging out.

What the?? Am i crazy?

So a few weeks into my job, i decided to bring this up with a couple of coworkers. Come to find out, it does really reek, but everyone has gotten used to it. And the nearest break room is a whopping 200 or so yards away, so it makes do. Odd. The out of this world odor is just taken for granted as inevitable. A rarity?

The more I’ve thought about it, the more i realize this rationale is actually the norm far too often.

It’s easy to get in a routine, go through the habits, and lose our sense. Our sense of smell, our sense of wonder, our sense of compassion.

I take for granted that I slept with a roof over my head last night, in an air conditioned home, on an extremely comfortable bed, next to my beautiful wife, with my amazing and healthy daughter in the next room. I take for granted that I was born into the most educated, wealthy, and opportunity rich society the world has ever known. This list could go on, and on, and on…

Most days I don’t need anything else to comfort, entertain, or help me escape the difficulties of life (first world difficulties that is, ha). What I really need is to have my senses / soul awakened to the love, hate, joys, tears, suffering, compassion, pain and beauty that I so often overlook.

And maybe tommorow I’ll bring some clorox and get to work on that break room. I wonder if anyone will notice?

to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not, rich;

to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with an open heart;
to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently,
await occasion, hurry never;

in a word,
to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common –

this is my symphony.

william henry channing

This has been on my mind (and my desktop) for the last few weeks, especially in the midst of the many changes happening in my life (moving cross country, having a gorgeous baby girl, starting a new gig, and buying a first home).

I don’t want stuff / hurry / crap. And I have to remind my self of this awesome. I want time with my bride. I want to hold and coo with my baby girl. I want to invest, love, and enjoy the relationships God has given me.

Therefore other things must be weeded / kept out. That is the tension.

if you were looking for the latest bowden family happenings, brittany and myself will keep that blog going, at
http://www.kreathaus.com . Or you could just get the rss subscription to both blogs. Just an idea.

enjoi your stay!