May the Force Be With You

This past weekend, I was relaxing on Sunday afternoon and came across a portion of one of the great American Movies - Star Wars Episode V - the Empire Strikes Back. I can't tell you how much I loved and still love this series of films. As a child of the 80s, I'm able to claim this as part of my history, as I grew up watching this epic come to life.

In Star Wars, according to Wikepedia, the force is defined as "an energy field created by all living things, that surrounds and penetrates living beings and binds the galaxy together." I couldn't help but smile as Yoda talked to young Luke Skywalker about the Force. In the scene where Luke is training with Yoda, and he says he'll try to move his X-Wing Fighter out of the bog, Yoda says "Try not. Do or do not, there is no try...." That's one we've probably all heard, and know well. It's been used as a motivational phrase for a long time and I think you can get a lot of mileage out of it. He also described the force this way:

Yoda said "For my ally is in the Force. And a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. It's energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we...(Yoda pinches Luke's shoulder)...not this crude matter. (a sweeping gesture) You must feel the Force around you. (gesturing) Here, between you...me...the tree...the rock...everywhere!"

Now stay with me here...this morning, I sat down before work and watched one of a series of NOOMA videos by Rob Bell. In the video, called "Open," Rob talks about prayer and the origins of prayer. In one part of the video, Rob talks about how Jesus prayed and how Jesus took seriously what he called the "creation poem." In the book of Genesis, God creates. But he creates things that are capable of creating more. So, God created trees, but he gave them the capability to create more trees. He created animals and plants and fish, but then empowered them to create more. And then God created people, and gave them the ability to create more. So everything is basically unfinished and we are invited to take part in this amazing, ongoing creation of the world. Now here Bell says that prayer is the tool God has provided to us to take part in that creation. He says that God's inviting us to take part in how the world continues to be created through open, honest, one-on-one prayer. In James 5:15-16, it says:

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Bell goes on to say that when someone prays, then "somebody who believes that the God who created the universe is at work here and now...Somebody who's aware, who's watching, who's listening...Somebody who's looking for their role to play in the ongoing creation of the world, well, that is going to be powerful.

Interesting that what this fictional wise character, Yoda, has to say is really very similar to what Bell interprets for us. I see Prayer as our "Force." It's the opportunity to use a great gift God has given us to take part in the ongoing creation of the world.

It's easy to imagine prayer as passive, as a simple request and answer, but if we see our role in Prayer and this continuing creation as one that is bigger, we can become aware of Prayer as an active use of a power that lives between us and around us all the time, always working, creating and changing. And we can use Prayer and its power to impact our world for the better.

So, may you grow to know and feel the power of Prayer, and may the force, our Force, one strong and effective, given from our Creator, be with you.

-G

NOOMA is a small nonprofit company working to do things for the right reasons. (taken from the NOOMA website, http://www.NOOMA.com.

I suppose it might be the best....

I'll admit that one of my guilty pleasures is America's Funniest Home Videos.  Cindy and I usually sit down to dinner on Sunday night about the time it comes on.  I know it's low-brow and silly and really cliched, but I find that the humor is easy.  As a matter of fact, it's probably the biggest belly laugh I have each week.  I think of it now as a great way to prepare for the work week.  As any of you, some of my interactions at work mean some disagreement, heated discussion or debate.  Being able to let go and just laugh at silly things seems to put me at ease.  

A friend of mine recently sent me a link to an article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about laughter, and how it's becoming a popular piece of the puzzle in fighting illness.  The article talks about hospitals that have created "laughter groups" as a piece of a larger treatment regiment for a variety of sicknesses.  I tend to believe in the positive power of laughter.  To me it's pretty simple - at least as far as how it works for me - I laugh, sometimes wildly, until my eyes water and my gut hurts, then I - at least temporarily - forget about my worries.  Here's the link to the article about laughter.

When you think about it, laughter is an important part of the YMCA mission to build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.  We're not just striving for stronger bodies or a more fulfilling spiritual life or more enlightened mind.  We hope to encourage all three.  And if laughter can improve you body's ability to heal, it's a key part in that mission.

Laughter has been an important part of lives since the beginning of time, in all walks of life.  Laughing is even an important teaching in the Bible.  In Romans 12:14, Paul says "Bless your enemies, no cursing under your breath.  Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down.  Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up.  Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody."

Victor Borge said "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."  At the Y, we're working hard to build relationships and shorten the distance between you and me, and the person next to you on the treadmill.  

So remember, live well, love often and laugh.  Laugh loud and hard, bent over with your hands on your knees.  Laugh until stuff comes out of your nose.  Try hard to find something to laugh at today, and if you can't find anything, be sure you can laugh at yourself.

Thanks to Zach for the article, and I'll see you at the Theater.

New water restrictions coming to our community...

Well it looks like new water restrictions are coming to Chapel Hill - Carrboro.  OWASA's website reports that their board will meet on February 28 to discuss the possibility of moving the community to phase 3 water restrictions.  The expectation is that they will move the area to phase 3 restrictions.  Stage 3 is really a step up from stage 2 and will have quite an effect on all of us.  Here's what stage 3 restrictions mean:

• No irrigation except with hand-held hoses or watering cans, limited to 3 days per week and no more than 1/2 inch per week.
• No outdoor use, except for emergency fire suppression or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety or welfare.
• No refilling of ornamental fountains, ponds, etc.
• No washing of vehicles
• No filling, refilling or topping off operating swimming pools.
• No pressure cleaning of building exteriors.
• No flushing or pressure testing of new mains unless water is recycled.
• Water use for heating and cooling to be reduced to the maximum extent practicable.
• Residential water use terminated for use over 600 gallons/day in a billing period.

In addition, non-residential customers will see the charge for water more than double per 1,000 gallons.

So, as a group, the leadership team at the Y has been talking for some time about what we can do to lessen our impact on the shortage and on the environment as a whole, while trying not to reduce the services we're providing to members.  The process has been pretty excruciating, as our goal is always to take care to provide you with the services you need.  As far back as the fall, we began to talk about what the future might hold for us, and we've put off any decisions simply in an effort to continue to offer the services our members have become accustomed to.  There has been some hand-wringing, and actually, some fairly heated discussion what we should do.

This past week, our Aquatics Director meet with a member of the OWASA staff to discuss what possible stage 3 water restrictions might mean to us.  He was incredibly cordial and set up for us some scenarios that we may face.  Greg Feller took time to go over most all of our operations, explain how the new restrictions might affect what we do and make some suggestions to us.

After much discussion and thought, keeping in mind the balance between what conveniences we like to offer and what is the right thing to do, we've made the following decisions:

• Effective March 3, we'll be ending all towel services at the YMCA, thus eliminating the use of 500 gallons of water per day or 15,000 gallons of water per month from being used.  The logic is this:  Most everyone who comes for a workout or to swim will wash their clothes when they get home.  Currently, water is being used for that wash as well as the towels washed at the Y.  Surely each load of wash that members are washing has room for one more towel, thus eliminating the use of 500 gallons of water from being used at the YMCA while not increasing water usage in each home.
• We will install new low-flow showerheads (1.5 GPM) in all showers.
• We may not be able to fill or top-off our pool.
• We may not be able to fill or top-off our whirlpool.
• We may not be able to continue operation of the steamroom.
• Prolonged stage 3 water restrictions may result in suspension of all aquatics operations.

It's completely understandable that we all become accustomed to certain conveniences and that those conveniences become important to us, some in different ways than others.  I can tell you that the Y staff works hard every day to serve the community as best we can.  Every staff member I come in contact with does what he or she does because there's a belief among us in our mission, and in our goals of serving all of our members.  We do it because we want to effect change in the world however we can.  Keeping that in mind, these decisions are being made because we believe that they fit in with our mission and goals and can be real ways that the Y can affect change in our community from an ecological standpoint. 

As we move forward, we'll be taking a closer look at how we can lighten our impact on the environment in other ways too.  We're built on four core values at the Y and one of those is Responsibility.  I believe that our responsibility includes being stewards of our planet and community too, and so I for one will champion our efforts to lighten the physical effects we have and hope that you will too.

Again, we're making these moves with the future of our community in mind and look forward to your support and suggestions as we do.  Thanks for all you do!

Y Member in the news

I saw a great article in the Chapel Hill News yesterday.  Seems a long-time Y members is doing great things here in Chapel Hill.  Terry Crook, a loyal member of the morning workout crew here, is the Realtor of the Year for Chapel Hill.  I know Terry from seeing him here, like clockwork, for his workouts.  He always asks for the same radio (he likes the black ones, not the blue ones).  

According to the article, Crook moved here in 1999 from Boston where he was Realtor of the Year for the Greater Boston Area in 1994.  He moved here to escape the cold winters and be closer to his daughter and their family.  Crook has served on several boards, including the local Certified Residential Specialist Board for the last 6 1/2 years.  

I'm always surprised at the "hidden gems" we have here at our Y.  Every day, I discover more amazing and interesting things about our members.  I think these unique stories, talents and experiences are what make this such a great place to work and to be a part of.  Often we get so caught up in serving the over 6,000 members here and trying to keep things flowing smoothly, we forget to stop and get to know you better.  I'll be making efforts this year to do more of that.  If you know of a member who's received special recognition in the community, or who has an interesting story to share, feel free to stop by and tell me, as I'd love to spread the word.  In the meantime, if you see Terry, be sure to congratulate him.  Way to go Terry!

Welcome to the CHCYMCA Blog

Hi!
Welcome to the CHCYMCA Blog. In the coming months, we're hoping that you'll be able to visit this blog to keep up with some of the things going on at your YMCA. One of the things our members have told us is that we need to continue to try to communicate with them better, so it's our goal to stay in touch with you in a more informal and personal way through this blog. We'll post on a regular basis and we'll take feedback from you for topics and news to pass on to everyone.

This won't be official, or formal, or by-the-books. It's our belief that the best things happen when people talk honestly, and share ideas, disagreements, successes and failures. Although one of our goals is to make sure you know what's going on, we're also looking forward to learning about you and from you.

As we continue to grow and offer more programs and services, we'll talk about them here. We'll also look for topics that relate to our mission and to our promise of helping to build healthy spirits, minds and bodies. We think that this will be fun and we hope you will join us on this journey as we strive to improve what we do for you and how we deliver on our commitment to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.