The Yooper Zen Art of Serenity

Unkosher Jesus readers might recall a book review that I posted last May for a book by my good friend, Rob Balmes. It is entitled, Ten Spiritual Lessons for a Balanced Life, and contains some simple yet profound insights on life and how to live it that Rob has experienced over time. Rob recently penned another piece on certain bits of wisdom that have been passed on to him by important women in his life. I am posting it here because I feel these insights are applicable to all people of any faith tradition. So, without further ado, please enjoy The Wisdom of Yooper Women.

A Yooper is a native of the Upper Peninsula, or U.P., of Michigan, which is located in the remote part of the state. I’m from the beautiful city of Marquette, located along the pristine, yet icy shoreline of Lake Superior. I recommend everyone go visit the U.P. and Lake Superior at some point in your life. But make sure and wear plenty of clothing. Dress in warm layers- and that advice is for summer visits! If you decide to go visit in the fall or winter, well, you’re on your own. Good luck.

The great thing about growing up in the U.P. is not only being surrounded by a beautiful, natural environment, it’s the people. Yoopers are a rare breed and pass on from generation to generation a set of great core values based on hard work, honesty, integrity, loyalty and most importantly a friendly down-to-earth nature. So I am proud to have been raised in that environment and it helped make me the person I am today.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’d like to talk about three Yooper women in my life and how they have had a profound impact on raising me and making me the person I am today. They each taught me one invaluable lesson on life which reflects the values I cherish and how I live my life every day. These three Yooper women are my mother and two grandmothers.

My mother, Mary, was born and raised in Sault Sainte Marie Michigan on the St. Mary’s River, just across from Canada. She has spent her entire life living for the moment, the now, trying to experience all she can with her time. This is reflected in her life, having multiple degrees and several different careers. She has instilled in me the lesson that life is about experience. The most profound statement she ever made to me was that at this moment in time, we’re here because of the multitude of life experiences we have each had and the decisions we have made. At this very moment, we are here because of everything that has happened to us in this life. It’s all led us to this moment in time, so enjoy it and realize that you’re all here for a reason. I have continued with this message in my life so far by always trying new things, new jobs and experience as much as possible and that’s the type of person I wish to be throughout my entire life.

My maternal grandmother, Fran, was born a Canadian. She became an adopted Yooper, a Yooper-Canuck you might say. She passed away just last October a couple weeks shy of her 83rd birthday. My grandmother was a very kind and loving woman. But for much of her adult life, she had a very difficult time getting in a word edge-wise with her five boisterous and extroverted children and very strong, extroverted Irish husband. So with a quiet grand kid like me, she’d take the opportunity to share her wisdom and pass on words of advice. And I remember when I was deciding whether I was capable of leaving the U.P. to move to East Lansing and attend Michigan State University, she sat me down one evening after one of her delicious pot roast dinners. Every Sunday, she’d cook delicious meals for her children and grand kids. She said now Rob, when you make big decisions in life, always remember to follow your heart—follow the burning excitement of your soul. Burning excitement of your soul? At that time, I didn't exactly know what that meant, but I could tell she was very serious. At that moment, I was also experiencing massive heart burn. My heart and soul was ablaze in fire. Raging in pain. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that this was the case since she worked so hard at cooking the great meal. But it was a profound statement and connection that I’d never forget both literally and figuratively. To this day, I base all my major decisions on following that burning excitement inside, heartburn free of course, but with the full intention to move forward, to chase that impulse and desire to achieve my dreams.

The third Yooper woman who I want to talk about is my paternal grandma, Ruth. Ruth is almost 91 years old, lives on her own, drives her own car, and tends to her garden all summer long. She is an amazing and healthy woman. I hope that I have an ounce of her genes somewhere in me, because if I do then I am in great shape. But I think a big part of why she has lived so long is based on the fact that she doesn’t let the nitty gritty, mundane aspects of life get to her. She doesn’t get consumed by internal stress or worry. Whenever it happens, she always turns everything over to God. She has always told me to let God handle the details or the bigger picture. God is in control, not you. So focus every day of your life on doing your best and going for it, but let God handle how things work out. It’s a simple, yet profound statement on how to live life. I get caught up so much in my the details of my own life, worrying and stewing over what’s going to happen next, but when I am overwhelmed by anxiety and anticipation, her timeless wisdom always sets me straight. Just let God or the higher power, whatever your spiritual faith is, handle the outcome. Great words to live by.

In summary, remember that Yoopers are natives of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, live life to the fullest and experience all you can, follow your heart—the burning excitement of your soul, and then let God handle the details. These are great lessons for us all.

FOR FURTHER REFERENCE:

Ten Spiritual Lessons for a Balanced Life (Amazon.com)

Gaia.com: Community That Changes the World

The Gaia Trust (Gaia.org)

DailyZen.com

I Wanna be a Yooper t-shirt (Gladsone BP Gifts and Car Wash)

ExploringTheNorth.com: The Upper Peninsula of Michigan Traveler

Upper Peninsula of Michigan's Superior Sights (SuperiorSights.com)

UPTravel.com

Da Yoopers-dot-com