That loving people with whom I struggle is a struggle!

New insights? Nothing glaring or screaming for attention at the moment. But who knows, that could change in an hour because insights seem to be born elsewhere and then are “given” to me. I don’t own them; I wait for them.

My family, and from the many people I have had the privilege to care for over the years.

Such a wonderful question! The beauty around me right now is the pre-dawn early stillness and the sounds of nightlife slowly waning, the distant sounds of seagulls and ship horns, a sign that the nearby harbor is starting their new day. In the house around me, there’s the beauty of decor that my wife creates and recreates from room to room and the sounds of our dog’s feet going up the stairs and back to bed because it’s still so early.

I am satisfied with the level of integrity that I will show up with today. What concerns me more is what I will do with it.

In two words, ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Yet living a spiritual life is not about risk taking. It’s about responding to a call, that frequently exacts a consequence, which is as it should be, and is part of the process and surrender into ministry.

It shows that I am real, that I get it, and that I have “skin in the game.”

I am grateful that the beauty, wonder and magnificence of the world is mine to see, admire and benefit from right now, today, so of course I want to preserve all this for future generations, too. Though gratefulness is important, for me, it is not at the top of the list of what inspires me first. Social and political action inspires me more, that in my view carries a greater impact on how best to care for and preserve the Earth as we know it

In this moment and at 4:45 AM in a hotel lobby? Finding coffee!

YES!

Sometimes when I’m aware that I was less than “all in” on a particular matter or undertaking, it may be because I really should not have undertaken the matter in the first place. Sometimes you just don’t know until you try something whether or not it was meant to be done or undertaken, which then touches on the matter of, “choice.”

Greet them by name while smiling at the same time.

I am content with the level of life that I am living currently. That said, if I actually had the power to truly release whatever I want I would say, “Let me release the level of pain I live with that contributes to fatigue and limits what I can do physically.” My oh my, wouldn’t that be nice?

It’s simple. It’s called life.

Today, two people gave me the opportunity to provide nurture and care for them as I begin my role this week as a pastoral counselor at an annual conference of Quakers.

Too many to name individually, but for sure my family members, friends, fellow Quakers and of course our dog, Gracie!

While there is much that I can do to shape my world and impact my destiny, there is much about daily living, of being in the world that floods and stimulates my senses of which I receive without control. The hours tick, the planet spins, a touch connects, a tear lets go and the piece of watermelon I am holding simply makes me smile.

Love this, thanks EJP!

Thank you, Serafina, enjoy your weekend too!

Happy August to you, too, Christina!