@HomewithDean - Homily 11/28

They say the grass is always greener on the other side, but let’s be honest, we all should know by now that’s just not true. Or if it is true it’s only true for a very short time because mostly what’s so attractive about “the other side” is that it’s new and different and that’s exciting because it’s not the same old thing. But it doesn’t take long for new and different to become same old and then the grass is greener over some other fence somewhere else. It’s not a sustainable way to live. I understand the allure but when it all plays out, that “other side” just doesn’t keep its promises.

So permit me to offer you an alternative meme. I can’t take credit for it and I don’t know who to give credit to, but I like it and I have officially taken ownership of it for my own life. So here goes:

“The grass is always greener … wherever you water it.” Now THAT … is something you can hang your hat on.

The grass is always greener wherever you water it.

Which brings us to where we are right now. You might have noticed … I LOVE how magical the holidays are. But I will confess to you a secret … the holidays are not magical. It’s the people who celebrate them, I mean really celebrate them, that make things magical. As a person who gets paid to make magic for a living I know this to be true. It is a truth I live with every day. If you want magic and meaning then someone has to get up in the morning and make magic and meaning. If you want the grass to be green, water the grass.

The greatest gift you can ever give in this life—to others or to yourself—is your creative intention followed by your time and attention. So if you’re looking for greener grass during the holidays or whenever, then just know it’s always greener wherever you water it.

This holiday season may I suggest that you focus creative intention on those who mean the most to you, including you. Give time to others. Make time for others. Take time for yourself. That’s the secret to conjuring deep magic.

“Oh, you don’t understand my life Dean. That’s just not doable this year.” You’re right, I don’t understand your life … but that doesn’t matter and yes, it is doable.

One thing I do know is how to create and build real stuff in the real world. Really magical stuff. And the rules are always the same. It happens brick by brick, moment by moment, day by day. With a good dose of creative intention, then a lot of time and a lot of attention.

You plant a lawn. You build a house. You make the holidays magical. It’s all the same. You put in the time and attention and eventually you wake up one morning to find YOUR grass is the greenest grass in town and in the garden you’ve planted you’ve built yourself a beautiful life.