It's seems like just yesterday I was making up sweet dance routines, turning on the spot lights to our fireplace and dancing away to the beats of the Thriller album. Well, yesterday I was busting a move to MJ but that's not what I was reminiscing about... I know everyone in the world is talking about the one and only Michael Jackson and I'm going to join the club. It seems only appropriate for me to dedicate a Top 5 list to the artist who helped start my love for music, who got me to bust out bad-ass dance moves for the past 31 years and who shaped music like no other. Since the King of Pop is no longer with us I've decided to upgrade the Top 5 to a Top 10. Because, let's be honest, it's no secret that I love MJ's music and I simply cannot keep the list to 5.

Here it is. In order, my Top 10 Favorite Michael Jackson Songs ~

Sitting at Starbucks studying one afternoon, slowly basking in my delicioso caramel latte, I had a moment. A needle-scratching, music stopping, noises fading, Zack Morris time-out, high alert moment. Something grabbed my attention.

I was reading along with Karl Barth when I suddenly felt like he was sitting across the table from me. He looked me in the eyes and said, "Listen." He said it with a period but the exclamation was evident in the air. Then he quoted Ulrich Zwingli and the words gave me great pause:

For God's sake, do something brave.

That's when I had the moment. I just sat there. And sat there some more. Have you ever felt like suddenly you've just woken up? I wasn't aware that I was asleep, but somehow I knew that, now, I was awake. Barth went on (this time he actually used exclamation points): "Not feel, or think, or consider or meditate! Not turn it over in your heart and mind! But do something brave." More sitting... If you know me, or if you have read a post or two of mine, you know a bit about how I love to agonize over decisions. Yes, no, in, out, I don't know... I'm getting better at navigating the roller coaster ride but it still makes me want to vomit every now and then.

The Zwingli quote has been camped out on the sidebar of my blog, as well in the back of my mind, since that fateful day. Part of me wishes that I hadn't had to read Barth for one of my classes. Then I wouldn't have run across the quote, I wouldn't be responsible for what I do with it, and I'd still be comfortably sleeping through life. Well, that may be a little harsh but it sure would be easier. I've wondered what exactly this means for me, this "doing something brave." All the thinking quickly found me hopping onto that roller coaster. The excuses started becoming fellow riders and lies the ride operator. After a few loop-de-loops I started silently asking myself - "What does this mean for me today?" And what do you know - today it hit me.

A few days ago I had a quick gchat with my good friend Suzanne. Who, by the way, was named National Young Engineer of the Year. So, I'm chatting with the NYEY (which is a really big deal, I might add) and it hit me. I knew what I needed to be brave about (or at least one thing I need to do). She probably has no idea what I'm talking about, but something hit me as the chattering, in the key of g, went on. So, I'm enacting Project: Do Something Brave. I'm not going to spill the details of my 'doing' quite yet but you can be sure that info will follow (hopefully shortly).

With that said, I direct your attention back up to the quote and send you an invitation, an evite, if you will. What does it say to you? Do you need to join Project: Do Something Brave? It doesn't have to be something grandiose. Although, it could be. I might be something like meeting your neighbor or going for a walk. It might mean saying Hello, I'm sorry, or I forgive you. It might mean less calorie counting, more celebrating, or some rest. Maybe it's running a marathon, perhaps it's making a mistake, or it might be believing in yourself. It will be, however, a saying yes to something you thought you couldn't do. What do you say? Want to give it a try?

That same night, Rilke joined me for a late night date I didn't know I had scheduled. He said, "People have oriented all their solutions toward the easy and toward the easiest side of easy: but it is clear that we must hold to what is difficult." Sigh. I know, I know, be brave. But it's so hard. It's so scary. But it's so worth it. Deep breath... and step...

Ps. If you decide you would like to join Project: Do Something Brave I'd love to know. Drop a comment, shoot me an email. What you choose to do is up to you but it would be great to be brave together.

*Quotes taken from:
The Call to Discipleship by Karl Barth
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

I'm starting a series of posts here at Soultide and I'm really excited about it! I've been wanting to do something like this for a while but I hadn't come up with the right idea. But today I did. So here it is.

The series will be called SOUNDING VOICES. Our voice is one of the most powerful things we have to offer. It it unique to each of us, no one else can offer who you are. But it is often a long, hard, lonely road to believing our voice matters. With this series I hope to post about people I've encountered who have voices I believe the world needs to hear. It may be an author, a musical artist, visual artist, or any ordinary someone who is doing something simple or extraordinary. I probably won't post SOUNDING VOICES on any sort of regular schedule, but will when I find someone I'd like to pass along.

Here's to sounding our voices - together.

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First up on SOUNDING VOICES is a familiar face. Winn Collier. I've mentioned him before, but he's worth mentioning again.

Winn is an author with a fresh voice. A voice that offers hope. He dares to be honest, to wrestle, and to ask hard questions. Winn offers words that are inviting and engaging. He invites you into a conversation and let's you know - we are in this together. It is a rare thing to feel like you are not alone in this fight and Winn makes you feel like like you've got a companion for the journey. And the thing is, I truly believe he is.

His latest book, Holy Curiosity is taking the world by storm. It has made it's way to the UK where the British periodical Christianity Magazine said, "Collier is set to be the new Philip Yancey." Yep, that's right folks. Read the review here. To be fair, I called it early on. Read my own review of Holy Curiosity here.

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity. ~Albert Einstein

Winn, thank you for helping me explore my faith, for reminding me my voice matters, for awakening a holy curiosity in my heart, and for being a friend in the darkness. Peace.

For more from Winn check out his blog.

To order Holy Curiosity click here. It's worth checking out.

"Surrounded by plastic ferns, we will be filled with plastic thoughts." ~Thomas Moore

I think it's true. Environment matters. Beauty matters. What you surround yourself with, fill yourself with, engage your senses with - matters. This is a big reason I wanted to go into interior design and a large reason why, instead, I am going to school to study theology and the arts. I truly believe that good design and good art can be life changing. Now, don't hear me wrong. A million dollar home filled with millions of expensive things doesn't necessarily equal an engaged, fulfilling life. See above quote. Often times, it's the opposite - everything looks great on the outside while it's rotting and dying on the inside. I actually think the reverse is somewhat true for me - you can get a good gauge of how I'm doing spiritually and emotionally by taking a look at the state of my home. If it's clean, it usually means that I'm taking time to care for myself and my home. I'm making space to breathe, rest, connect, and I'm creating an environment of life. If my home is a disaster, you can pretty much bet that internally I'm a mess. It usually means I'm not taking time to slow down. I'm not resting or recharging. It probably means I'm lost in the chaos, scrambling just get by, running fast-paced trying to survive. This begs the question - what am I fostering in my life? What kind of environment am I creating for my soul?

For quite some time I've been desperate to change the background to my blog. Every time I went to post something I felt depressed by the blandness and lack of design. Michael was kind enough to help me get something up to get me started (and he gave me exactly what I asked for) but I had intended to elaborate on it after a bit. Well, a 'bit' turned into 1.5 years. It's a classic Juli-move - lots of thoughts, planning, and thinking - not as much actual doing. I've decided the blogaroo needs a change of scenery. I've felt like I've been coming out of a season of darkness and into a season of spring. So, away with the dark, depressing colors, and in with something new. New surroundings to cultivate creativity and nurture my imagination. I love the new design. It's a fun blend of creativity and structure. It has paint splashes, a flower, and lists! It just fits... and I think that matters.

ps. anyone want to help me figure out how to get the search function to work? :)