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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!
Sometimes I wonder! But if you really must know, my feet brought me here. These clever little fellows south of the border usually do what I tell them to do. This morning, I got lucky, I swung out of bed (now there’s a sight!), set my legs underneath and luckily, my feet decided to come along too. And here I am.
It is probably accurate to say that I engage caring for people around me with an unspoken sense of reverence of them, even though I wouldn’t actually use that word. During all of my working years with young people, and care for others within ministry settings, there was and remains, still, no greater gift than attending to those in my midst. No grand announcement is needed, no title, no programmed effort, either. Just be. Show up, and attend.
Humbling indeed! Maintaining and nurturing an inner sense of being grateful for all that I have, from being able to express myself right here using words and transmitting them out into the world, to smelling the salty air over the harbor at sunrise, as I wait for my rowing teammates to arrive, it is all gift, here for today, and for this moment, with no guarantees of the same for tomorrow. That simple realization stops me. It takes my breath away. And as my breathing returns it does so with p...
Humbling indeed! Maintaining and nurturing an inner sense of being grateful for all that I have, from being able to express myself right here using words and transmitting them out into the world, to smelling the salty air over the harbor at sunrise, as I wait for my rowing teammates to arrive, it is all gift, here for today, and for this moment, with no guarantees of the same for tomorrow. That simple realization stops me. It takes my breath away. And as my breathing returns it does so with prayer and thanksgiving.
This is not difficult to imagine at all. In fact, and not wanting to sound unkind, it’s rather easy to imagine and in fact common place. Next question?
“Whose Kindness” as a phrase lands flat with me. But if I approach my response as to, “Which” kindness has touched me?, then there are many, a great many, from the kindness of strangers to the kindness of friends.
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.”
As to the show, my wife and I wished that the season didn’t end so soon. For me, having farmed with livestock as a young man, the show floods me with old memories as well.
Hello Craig, I remember reading that book actually way back in grade school! And, my wife and I have been enjoying this series by the same name on the Masterpiece Theater/PBS on television. What’s more, the TV ‘s series ended for the season just last week and your note here reminds me that the phrase or word “attend” was in that episode as well. Maybe there was a subconscious connection with me using the word in my reflection here but I know for sure it has a lot to do with those invo...
Hello Craig, I remember reading that book actually way back in grade school! And, my wife and I have been enjoying this series by the same name on the Masterpiece Theater/PBS on television. What’s more, the TV ‘s series ended for the season just last week and your note here reminds me that the phrase or word “attend” was in that episode as well. Maybe there was a subconscious connection with me using the word in my reflection here but I know for sure it has a lot to do with those involved in ministry, like myself, as the word “Attend“ is frequently Invoked when caring for others and attending to that of the Spirit present in their lives.
“I go to work to work!” Now there’s a concept, my friend. When you think of it, there’d be a whole lot less whining and moaning in the every-day workplace (excluding oppressive working environments) if more people were able to remind themselves that they “go to work to work.” There is a pervasive work ethic floating around out there that the goal of work is to actually due the opposite, which in the end makes people feel miserable day after day. A few years...
“I go to work to work!” Now there’s a concept, my friend. When you think of it, there’d be a whole lot less whining and moaning in the every-day workplace (excluding oppressive working environments) if more people were able to remind themselves that they “go to work to work.” There is a pervasive work ethic floating around out there that the goal of work is to actually due the opposite, which in the end makes people feel miserable day after day. A few years before I retired people would come up to me and say, “I bet you can’t wait to get out?” And I replied, “No. I love my work.” And I loved it until the day I needed to retire.
As an only child, Howie, I can only imagine what having a brother must be like. It’s something that I can only watch from afar among my male friends who have close relationships with their brothers.
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!
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