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Disappointed by US Tax Laws (Because I Have a Dream)

I have a dream.

A few weeks ago, I sat on a park bench as storm clouds rolled in. I was reading a Pulitzer Prize winning collection of short stories. And it was making me angry. They were well written, don't get me wrong. But they were depressing. Hopeless, even. And that got me to thinking...again.

With all the reflecting and thinking and praying and major life transitions over the last several months, I've become more convinced of my love for the arts and the potential they have to be so much more than they often are.

I want to be a part of that. Not just on the sidelines, cheering people on (although that is important), but right in there, creating art that speaks of life in all its glory: pain, mistakes, hurt, redemption, hope, beauty...

I have ideas about how to get there, but there are no guarantees. And although I am in a "risk-taking" stage of life, I have a feeling it would take an army of cheerleaders to get me moving much faster. Which is why I was so excited when I heard about Don Miller's "Living a Better Story" conference.

But US Tax Laws have let me down. As a Canadian, I'm not eligible to win a trip for two to Portland this September. No boost of courage or clarity for me. If I lived in Vancouver still & had work over the past four months, I'd pay to go. But that's not an option these days.

(cue tragic violin music)

If Don were a Canadian and this contest open to all of us north of the border, I think I'd stand a chance. I'd at least be eligible, because I live in Ontario, and I'm pretty sure that Quebec is the Rhode Island of Canada. (Why is it that a random province/state decides its people can't win contests? It seems unjust to me.)

In case you're an American and you haven't heard, you should enter the contest. It's not guaranteed to make your life better, but I bet it could.
www.donmilleris.com/conference

Living a Better Story Blog Contest from Donald Miller on Vimeo.



And Portland girls, I was thinking it would have been fun to meet you! One more reason I'm a little sad.
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Comments

  1. V9:19 AM

    Aw, too bad about US tax laws. :(

    Also...what about the Portland boys? :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Teagen1:33 PM

    A) Portland girls are way cooler than Portland boys, just so you know, the pickings are seeming awfully slim down here lately... (at least in the boaz-like category).

    B) Bummer. If something happens and you miraculously discover a loophole or a cache of treasure or are endowed by a wealthy do-gooder, feel free to surf our couch (also we live about 2 miles from Don Miller).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beth9:51 PM

    Vanessa - I don't know any Portland boys...but I'd take a good one from any city. :)

    Teagen! - Eventually, I WILL make it to visit you all. And if any of you feel like an eastern Canada adventure...our pull-out couch (or chesterfield, as the Canadian in me should say) is always anxious for visitors.

    ReplyDelete

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