Everything is like music, so let’s get this party started!
Shortly before starting college, I started to play guitar. At parties, I quickly learned that when people played music, rather than listening to recorded music, the parties were a lot more fun and people got to know each other much better. Most parties have a fairly accomplished musician or two in the crowd, but they are often too shy to start playing, perhaps, in part, because too much confidence can be misconstrued as ego. And no one wants a perceived egomaniac to take over a party. It’s a fine line sometimes between “being the life of the party” and “making one’s self the center of attention.” And such lines are not always fairly drawn. The jealousy of other egos can come into play when someone is playing.
It didn’t take me long to discover that, if I got out my guitar and started playing, I wouldn’t have to embarrass myself for too long before one of the more shy but more competent musicians finally got annoyed enough with the inferior quality of my music to say, “Can I take a turn with that? Let me show you something.”
Having someone else get the party started did more than simply make it easier for a better musician to share his talents. The period prior to the better musicians showing up was also a time when those who are also less accomplished to be able to feel okay about their own limited abilities and start to participate in their own way with singing or percussion. They would not have felt as comfortable trying to mix in if a more talented musician started to play at the beginning. That dynamic can tend to create more listeners than participants.
What I just described distinguishes the difference between being an accomplished musician and having the spirit of musicianship, which brings out the musician in everyone and can be brought forward irrespective of talent, though talent, of course, brings more life energy to the party. When it comes to getting communities started, if a more charismatic leader shows up at the beginning, this can make it harder for others to feel like their ideas are being considered and they are important to the process of getting a new community started. Obviously, one strong and distinguished leader does not make a community. And such leaders can be too overpowering in new and small groups.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Even weak leadership has its time.
When reviewing my thoughts on the importance of trying to reboot the institutional structure of the Urantia revelation, please keep this perspective in mind. Thanks.
That being said, you may want to now review the History of The Urantia Book page, which starts off with some of my reflections on the original plan.
Regarding the ZOOM meetings, please make every effort and have the willingness to use the video aspect of this wonderful technology. This is an important part of people getting to know and understand each other. I appreciate that some people have technological problems in their service area or with their equipment. Please find a way to work around this, if it is a personal issue and not a service area issue. If you do not have a technological problem with engaging the video function, please consider that it is unfair and inconsiderate to the other guests to come to the party as an invisible person.
I have scheduled two meeting times, one on the weekend and one during the week, for two different types of meetings. There will be a meeting for those who are sure they want to get started with something new and one for those who are open to the idea but not sure whether they want to participate.
Meetings for those who are not sure whether rebooting the institutional structure for the Urantia revelation is a good idea but would like to discuss it:
Topic: Start anew? It’s a question.
Time: Feb 11, 2018 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/545542336
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16699006833,,545542336# or +14086380968,,545542336#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 545 542 336
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=SZO7T39dUbVopd5WrxZf0zKHhglBNJg9
Topic: Start anew? It’s a question.
Time: Feb 13, 2018 4:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/361798114
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16699006833,,361798114# or +14086380968,,361798114#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 361 798 114
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=C_G-o0j2LOiBANUb-MwjiwIpZlwB6X8G
Meetings for those who think that rebooting the institutional structure for the Urantia revelation is a good idea and want to get started:
Topic: Start anew. It’s an answer.
Time: Feb 11, 2018 2:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/720266781
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +14086380968,,720266781# or +16468769923,,720266781#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 408 638 0968 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 720 266 781
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=qSeocvw5ti9R146wuiK23EHop6nEsGgx
Topic: Start anew. It’s an answer.
Time: Feb 13, 2018 6:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/509628791
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16468769923,,509628791# or +16699006833,,509628791#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 408 638 0968
Meeting ID: 509 628 791
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=AKChfvN-BXsaA5xYwXlM4LK_0dP7WPfp