Yesterday I was in a workshop that provided me with some very helpful information. The leader of this workshop was a lawyer and an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church. At one point of her presentation she asked us what we thought was the most important point listed on an image on the screen. After several answers were offered, she pointed out the word 'resolution'. Now, indeed, the process of resolution was the point she was making but then she pointed out that the word resolution had been written in the color blue. She then told us that in one of the most important classes she took in law school she learned this: Blue is the color you wear when you want people to know you are speaking the truth. Somehow 'blue' signals truth to our brains. When you want to distract or keep people not focusing completely on our words, wear red. When you want people to completely focus on what you are saying, wear black.

Now there were many important things I heard during this presentation, but these are the messages that have been playing with my imagination. Blue, the color of truth. Perhaps I am thinking about it because I would have to say that blue is not really in my color palette but mostly it is intriguing to me that, as humans, we are such complex creatures. The idea that the colors we choose to wear can have such an influence on people's experience of who we are and what we say is fascinating, isn't it?

It led me to think about all the times I might have been distracted by red. Was I so enthralled by the brilliant scarlet of a jacket or scarf that I completely was taken in by words I might have heard differently if my eyes had been bathed in blue or green? Have I listened too intently to words that really should have rolled off my back because the speaker was wearing basic black? It is a fascinating concept to me. I think of all the years that the 'red power tie' has been a symbol of men's power in the work place. Hmmmmm……We can all surmise what we will from that.

Today I will be traveling along the country roads of Minnesota on my way back to the Twin Cities after a couple of days at a retreat center.My eyes will be shocked by the blaze red of the sumac and the amazing gold of the birch trees that line the freeway. As I walked early along the shore of the lake that was shrouded in the mist of a colder than usual autumn morning, the deep, blue sky of morning truth gently cradled the brilliant crystal of stars and a sliver of white moon. Over in the east, the sun was making its way toward the horizon causing streaks of lavender, hot pink and a golden yellow to streak across the brightening sky. The colors of the October morning took my breath away. Never underestimate the power of color.

"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe
nothing just because a belief is generally held.Believe nothing just
because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is
said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else
believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."
[paraphrased]
~The Buddha