Wisdom, Community, and Coffee: The Power of Showing Up

On Sunday, Rev. Larry expanded on our September theme of wisdom, reminding us that discernment is essential: it’s not just listening to our thoughts, but distinguishing between the ego voice — the one that keeps us safe, often by holding us back — and our higher wisdom voice.

“We are all worthy, capable, and lovable,” he said, and when we tune into that inner wisdom, we make choices that better serve us, grounded in confidence. That’s the gift of this practice: the ability to act with clarity and purpose, both for ourselves and our collective good. It’s not just Sunday inspiration — it’s something we can take with us into the week, for big decisions, or the small, everyday choices that call for clarity.

Visitors often say our Center has great energy, and that it’s warm and welcoming. None of that happens by accident. That spirit shows up in ways both seen and unseen — in the warmth we share on Sundays and in the ongoing care that keeps our community strong. Whether you’ve been part of CSL Ballard for years or you’re here for the first time, you’re part of what makes this place feel like a spiritual home.

Behind the scenes, there’s a lot happening. It's carried out with love and intention as we acknowledge the shared responsibility for our future. For example, many of you know that Core Council member Mark Ruark runs the kitchen with a crew of awesome volunteers, making sure refreshments are ready each week. It’s a big lift, done consistently and with heart, and it’s a valued contribution that we could easily take for granted. Everything here, from the music to the coffee, comes from people showing up. That’s not just volunteerism — that’s community.

Our “third service” — coffee, treats, and the potluck — is more than practical; it’s a space for conversation, connection, and learning from each other. Sitting at a table and talking with you, I’ve discovered the breadth of creativity, insight, and wisdom among us. You often surprise me with everything you’re up to, whether it’s travel, art, writing, family, or something else that fulfills and sustains you. Each one of us adds to our greater whole, and these interactions are part of what makes our community special.

I have a confession: when I first started coming to CSL Ballard, I avoided these coffee or potluck chats. I didn't understand their value. But as I took some classes and occasionally volunteered, the connections developed into relationships, deepened my understanding of our community, changed how I thought about myself and others, and even challenged some of my assumptions. Everything we do contributes to our vitality and resilience. I’m grateful I made the effort to participate, because that’s where real life happens.

With the onset of fall, we step into the season of harvest, celebrate our abundance, and tend our inner soil. In a world that often pulls us toward busyness and distraction, this is how our community thrives: showing up at and for our Center as our full, capable, complex, yet lovable selves, willing to stretch, learn, and grow. In doing so, we co-create a CSL Ballard filled with possibility and the enduring power of shared wisdom.

I hope you’ll join us Thursday night at the Meaningful Movies screening, Free for All: Inside the Public Library, where we’ll explore how public libraries help cultivate knowledge, belonging, and community for the greater good.

Laura McLeod

CSL Ballard, Core Council President