Moving Dirt
11.05.2010
Today, we moved Earth. Just three shovels full of it, but enough begin our first endeavor.
Ashley, Pam and I formed 3L Foundation as a vehicle for many efforts to come. But we first saw a need here at the CPDC for a dining sala which called us to come together and be our consolidation of commitment. The kindness and efforts of the kids and mentors of the CPDC and people like Khun Toy culminated in the ground breaking ceremony we took part in yesterday. It was our first ground breaking ceremony for all three of us and our friends here in Thailand made sure it was memorable. With three shovels full of Earth, the seed of commitment that has been in the works for over a year were planted. The transformation of the vacant space to a place of physical and spiritual nourishment moved hope and intent through an irreversible threshold to become a physical expression. We are honored to be here and through the kindness and donations of you, our supporters, this dining sala will be realized. The Earth tilled today will bear great fruit.
With the children gathered around in enthusiastic support, Pam took the scissors and cut the flower-adorned ribbon guarding the spot where the blade of the shovel would be put to use. After the space was open to us, Pam took shovel first and initiated the blade with the first load of soil to be moved. Ashley took the shovel next and repeated the gesture. I took a turn as well and all three of us were proud to have been a part of what was essentially a blessing and invitation to the Earth to accept and welcome the new building we commit to this place.
It is ironic that shovels of dirt are used to start a building project. Certainly not a very glamorous material, often used to describe something rather lowly. But all that comes to build an edifice comes from the Earth. Far from lowly, the gift of the Earth now have a noble part to play in this dining sala. The concrete blocks that are curing in a mold somewhere, the wood that is being cut and shaped by craftsman, the sand that has been charmed into glass, the iron forged into steal by fire, the clay baked into tiles…all are gifts of the very Earth we stand upon are now destined for a sacred space made possible by you who have contributed to make it so.
It will thus have a soul, made up of all those who dreamed and worked to put it together. A soul of those who’s hands formed the materials and built the structure. A soul of those who made the commitments and made the financial contributions. A soul of those who dream of the times to be shared within upon its completion. A soul of all those who will inhabit the space for years to come in fellowship and nourishment. A space will be created here with fingerprints of so many people from all over the world. We are honored to have yours upon it.
I left the CPDC village a little earlier than Pam and Ashley. The day’s heat had really taken it out of me. I wanted to get working on the pictures from the day and get a blog entry going as soon as possible. Something told me that I needed to head out on my own that evening. I drove my motorbike out around the various winding country roads to make my way back to the city. When I came around the corner of one intersection, I saw a clear view to the West where the sun was setting. A panoramic vista of indescribable beauty washed over me. I pulled my bike over into a field and unpacked my cameras as fast as I could to get a few shots of the atmospheric painting the sun and sky were leaving behind as a blessing for such a wonderful day. As I got my shots in, I saw far away a beautiful traditional Thai style house in silhouette of the sunset. I was struck that the roof of the house was almost identical to that of the dining sala we broke ground for today. It is a shape we incorporated into our 3L Foundation logo to signify both our initial project significance and the sense of shelter our first project embodies. The Thai style rooftops are distinctive and beautiful. To see one like this upon this canvas of symphonic color was perhaps gift of encouragement that the CPDC’s dining sala will one day have it’s own presence on the horizon. It’s only a matter of time. This is what love, commitment and opening your heart can do. We count ourselves blessed to have you along with us for this journey.
Thank you!
Namaste’
Blessing to all of you who are involved in this project.