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Gratefulness
Today I am grateful to be alive, to feel, see and know the grace and power of something we call Spirit. That alone is joy and gift enough!
As a Quaker, every week on Sunday, and again midweek, I have the joy of experiencing worship in the Quaker tradition of worshipping in the collective silence among Friends. It is there, in the silence, that we frequently can hear and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, in whatever way it may come. It is powerful, serene, and simple as a practice that anyone, anywhere can participate in.
I can offer to ease the path that others are following today with a listening ear, with love, and with friendship
Watching our youngest granddaughter, inching up on her third birthday, navigating the newness of her world with excitement and joy every day.
That depends on what I am being asked to receive! As an old white guy, I have many privileges and I receive plenty, actually. I do need two Covid vaccines, however. Who’s got those? 😊
I believe this happened in two stages in my life. First, back in 2013 when I stepped down from running a Quaker children’s retreat program that I founded 26 years previously. And a second, and huge “letting go” took place in 2015 when I retired. After 31 years of a rewarding and at times challenging career of working with young people, it was time to go when I turned 66. I intentionally spaced those two major transitions apart because I knew that my head and heart would have exploded ha...
I believe this happened in two stages in my life. First, back in 2013 when I stepped down from running a Quaker children’s retreat program that I founded 26 years previously. And a second, and huge “letting go” took place in 2015 when I retired. After 31 years of a rewarding and at times challenging career of working with young people, it was time to go when I turned 66. I intentionally spaced those two major transitions apart because I knew that my head and heart would have exploded had I not had a chance to process each of those changes separately. To be honest though, I cannot say that I have “become more,” at least not yet, in letting those two major life events go. There have been welcomed changes, such as having more time to do whatever I want and at whatever time, but that’s about it so far.
I already did. I got up into a brand-new day! Or, in Mary Oliver’s words, “I haven’t seen this day before.”
Living and coping with chronic back pain, something I’ve been struggling with for eleven years now, definitely hinders the expression of my inner spiritual light. Some days there is no “working through that,” I just deal with it the best I can with stretches, rest, and prescribed medication.
Usually it’s any one of our seven grandchildren, whenever they arrive, that energizes me the most at any given moment. I consider it to have been a “good visit” after they leave when my body is sore all over from having actively played with them when during their visit. After which, my wife tells me, “I told you so!”
With this pandemic altering our lives now for nearly twelve months, I should be doing less eating and more exercising! Maybe tomorrow!
I suppose this sounds a bit cheesy, but I feel like I should write a letter to my country’s new president, Joe Biden. Why? Because here he was, finishing up a distinguished political career after being a US Senator for 36 years, then VP for eight years, then four years after that he decides to run for, and win, the US presidential election. Say what you will about motivation and desire, but I don’t see myself being interested in any highly intense job when I am 78 years old! “So, thank ...
I suppose this sounds a bit cheesy, but I feel like I should write a letter to my country’s new president, Joe Biden. Why? Because here he was, finishing up a distinguished political career after being a US Senator for 36 years, then VP for eight years, then four years after that he decides to run for, and win, the US presidential election. Say what you will about motivation and desire, but I don’t see myself being interested in any highly intense job when I am 78 years old! “So, thank you, Mr. President, for stepping back into public service.”
Weeds are everywhere! They’re tough, they’re resilient and resourceful, and when they flower, they’re beautiful! Park the hoe and make peace with the weeds, life is easier that way.
As I am able, I invest in everything that I value. That’s why I do what I do and live the kind of life that I do. Translation: I’ll never be rich, but I have all I need. I know my friends and my friends know me. And supporting others, through social work and ministry, has been for me the greatest investment of my life.
As a minister and person occasionally called to minister and care for others in their hour of need, joy, and other life events, two experiences stand out that reminds me of the miracle of simply existing. The first is of course when new life comes into the world, that holy moment of “becoming,” with a cry and a breath as a new child arrives. And for me, as equally profound and sacred really, is when life prepares to end, the letting go, and breathing stops, and a hush is felt within. That...
As a minister and person occasionally called to minister and care for others in their hour of need, joy, and other life events, two experiences stand out that reminds me of the miracle of simply existing. The first is of course when new life comes into the world, that holy moment of “becoming,” with a cry and a breath as a new child arrives. And for me, as equally profound and sacred really, is when life prepares to end, the letting go, and breathing stops, and a hush is felt within. That too, welcome, or not, is profound, simple, and a miracle now completed.
Thank you Holly, I will admit that even though I miss certain leadership roles I enjoy now showing up to serve as a regular staff person without the burdens of administrative oversight and ultimate responsibility.
Thank you my friend, you have stated this perfectly. Fortunately for me ministry has morphed into other areas but still nothing like it once was. But that too, is a blessing of discovery That is still unfolding.
Oh boy, sounds like you’re a true rower now, Howie! The mishaps are like merit badges over time. When someone goes off their seat in whaleboats, we call it “catching a crab,” and you’re right, it’s always good to get the first one behind you, that way, you can forget how many times it happens after that! Because we row in large work boats, which allows us to change positions under way, whenever any of us try to get into a shell it’s usually a disaster. Ste...
Oh boy, sounds like you’re a true rower now, Howie! The mishaps are like merit badges over time. When someone goes off their seat in whaleboats, we call it “catching a crab,” and you’re right, it’s always good to get the first one behind you, that way, you can forget how many times it happens after that! Because we row in large work boats, which allows us to change positions under way, whenever any of us try to get into a shell it’s usually a disaster. Step in on port and crash over the starboard side into the water…and not just once! Honest. Hope that the healing goes quickly!
Happy Friday to you, too, Michele!
You are a terrific writer, Howie. You really are. Before my back issues become worse I used to do more writing, especially blogging, which I really enjoyed. But I just can’t sit for large blocks of time like I used to be able to do. Seems like you have fresh writing topics every time you pick up a new customer with your work! Your 1500 word a day plan, which is what writing coaches always tell people to do, also reminds me of Mark Train’s famous line when he was once asked how he ...
You are a terrific writer, Howie. You really are. Before my back issues become worse I used to do more writing, especially blogging, which I really enjoyed. But I just can’t sit for large blocks of time like I used to be able to do. Seems like you have fresh writing topics every time you pick up a new customer with your work! Your 1500 word a day plan, which is what writing coaches always tell people to do, also reminds me of Mark Train’s famous line when he was once asked how he managed to write so much great stuff. He said, “Don’t worry if your writing is good or not, just write. I write one page of masterpiece for every 99 pages of shit.” That line always kept me going!
Oh I love this. And our dog is blind, and she sometimes will try to tug the mask off my face when family is over. She knows it’s there, I think by the change in the sound of my voice, and she doesn’t like it at all. She thinks something’s wrong, and she’s right.
Perfectly stated, Patricia! Our youngest granddaughter, at 2.5 years old, and our oldest almost 16 year old granddaughter, were over yesterday. The little one was a “beastie” yesterday, grumpy and tired, who just needed a nap which she wouldn’t take! While driving Maddie, the oldest back home afterwards she said, “Well, the best part of the visit today was the “Coollatta” that you bought me at Dunkin!” River, the youngest, went home with her mom, and ...
Perfectly stated, Patricia! Our youngest granddaughter, at 2.5 years old, and our oldest almost 16 year old granddaughter, were over yesterday. The little one was a “beastie” yesterday, grumpy and tired, who just needed a nap which she wouldn’t take! While driving Maddie, the oldest back home afterwards she said, “Well, the best part of the visit today was the “Coollatta” that you bought me at Dunkin!” River, the youngest, went home with her mom, and after dropping Maddie back home, I went home and upstairs for a nap! Perfect!
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