101 things in 1001 days: A Journey In Identity Capital

4/13/15 EDIT: I recently was watching a TedTalk from Meg Jay, the author of The Defining Decade. Here's a link to it: Why 30 Is Not The New 20. In all honesty, I'd completely forgotten that I'd started this list. I've become caught up in all the things that I'm doing for work and church (all of which is great!). But as I was watching this talk, I realized that I'd stopped consciously working towards these fun, hard, and sometimes seemingly superfluous goals that I've written down.

In this talk, Meg encourages 20-somethings to "Forget about having an identity crisis and start getting some identity capital. Do something that adds value to who you are and do something that's an investment in who you might want to be next.” I really like the idea of investing in identity capital. Even if it's something as silly as finishing a book of Sudoku puzzles. They're all things that will become part of who I am as a person. Also - having a list like this is a great conversation piece.

Decaying Sanctity

A painter’s misused canvas, 

the wall against the alley is brightly colored with graffiti.

The bricks behind the layers of paint fit together

like an intricate puzzle. Stretching high and wide above the street.

The stained glass window that

once depicted the crucifixion of Christ

is stained with bird droppings.

As if no one cares, small pieces of that window are broken,

leaving holes in the sacrifice of the Lord.

The spires of this once-populated church strain to touch the clouds,

crying out to the surrounding world that this building still exists.

The boards across the large oak doors in front

contradict the cry of the steeple

by reminding the world that this building

is desolate and decaying.