The Real

 

Last night while working the Coffee House I had to ask a drunk man to leave. I don’t typically mind if folks who have tipped back a few cocktails hang around Network as long they are peaceful alcoholics and this particular man wasn’t one of those. When sober he has an amazing IQ and I’m told he’s unbeatable at chess. When drunk he likes to fight.

After 20 minutes of negotiating with him and blocking his punches I had to resort to calling the cops who hauled him off to detox. 

This morning he will feel holistically hellish. The feeling of both the physical and emotional hangover will lead him where? Yep, if he’s lucky, likely he’ll find his way back to a bottle tonight. 

And this cycle of shame and coping that occurs in my friend is a microcosm for the ills of the entire world. And it points directly back to me and all my experience of acting out and coping with my own experiences of shame. The only difference? I have the luxuries of coping in much more sophisticated and acceptable ways but it happens nonetheless. 

Why do I prefer dwelling with and in the wilderness of poverty with socially inappropriate folks like the guy last night ? Because it’s my most direct route to reality. And when I’m faced with reality I see me—agenda driven, insecure, lustful, and lazy… poor and no different from the drunk guy who had to be removed. And in the simplicity of our unadorned naked, poor self, it seems that’s when were in the best position to receive everything from God. 

...Reminding myself of why I do what I do, praying for my friends, and dwelling with the reality of radical acceptance regardless... or maybe because of... our poverty.

Comments

[Peter]

Thanks, Ryan.

[Ryan]

Cool, Peter. Hope you're well. Come to Denver.

[Jsamjenkins]

Thanks, Ryan, for helping us keep it real.

[Johnny D]

Thanks for helping me enter the Network inner sanctum. This is rich stuff...

[Ryan]

Thanks Jeff and Johnny for the read and comments. Thanks for being along for the ride.