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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!
If by “checking-in” with myself to feel where I’m at a particular moment qualifies as honoring my own tenderness, then I feel that I do this regularly. Be it self-talk or gentle self-questioning, the net result is that it gets me to pause and focus on where my head and heart are within that moment, which in turn helps to map my way forward in both actions and speech.
Today, after watching what happened in my nation’s capital yesterday, I am heartbroken for my country. If I am feeling grateful for anything at this moment, it’s that I’m relieved that more people were not killed or injured in yesterdays insurrection at the US Capitol, and that in thirteen days my nation will have a new president.
Thus far, I got up, the dog went out to pee and went back up to bed. Coffee’s brewing, I know it’s Wednesday five past four. Now what’s the question?
Life has taught me that on certain days some questions don’t need to be pounced up. Sometimes it’s better to slowly sneak up on them, or not answer them at all.
I never think about my memories as sustaining me, but rather as experiences that dovetail together and contribute to who I am today. Of course, there were the days of my youth when all the body parts worked without complaining. And my farming years, that ever-rich, hard, close to the earth and rewording work of my young adult years remain forever in my heart and senses. Then there was the children’s retreat program I founded and ran for 26 years that remains a source of joy and pride for me...
I never think about my memories as sustaining me, but rather as experiences that dovetail together and contribute to who I am today. Of course, there were the days of my youth when all the body parts worked without complaining. And my farming years, that ever-rich, hard, close to the earth and rewording work of my young adult years remain forever in my heart and senses. Then there was the children’s retreat program I founded and ran for 26 years that remains a source of joy and pride for me personally. More recently, I retired five years ago from working as a Youth Advocate for 31 years locally, a job and a passion I enjoyed greatly each and every year of my tenure.
As I look back over the years I consider myself very fortunate to have had meaningful employment that oftentimes didn’t feel like work at all―all blessing I give thanks for often.
We, my wife, and I, are blessed with the lives of seven grandchildren, all of whom live very close by. But it’s been River, our youngest granddaughter of two and a half years, who continues to amaze us every time that she’s over at our place. With six grandkids before River, and as an adult who has spent my professional career working directly with children of all ages, let’s just say that my bar for “being awed” has been scaled by many amazing children over the years. But this litt...
We, my wife, and I, are blessed with the lives of seven grandchildren, all of whom live very close by. But it’s been River, our youngest granddaughter of two and a half years, who continues to amaze us every time that she’s over at our place. With six grandkids before River, and as an adult who has spent my professional career working directly with children of all ages, let’s just say that my bar for “being awed” has been scaled by many amazing children over the years. But this little nugget of life named River, who has little time for acting her age, or being “two-like,” surpasses all others. She greets every new thing she sees with arms opened wide, saying what sounds like, “Oh! Come see!” and must touch, feel, smell, and pause, talking, and mapping it all in. She kisses “hello” to familiar stuffed critters and lawn figurines that we’ve brought in for the winter, and lets us know when her inside work is done and she’s ready to move on to the great beyond in our backyard, or on certain days to a beach nearby. One minute she invites me into her play, and the next minute I do not exist. I love just watching her think. And if I’m lucky, she teaches me something brand new that’s been sitting under my nose all along.
As a matter of principle, I offer support to anyone who asks and to anyone who appears to be in need.
Oh gosh, just recently, in fact. As a Quaker minister, our traditions and call to ministry are both similar, and, quite different than other types of denominations. But a call to ministry has the same “tug” on the soul, as Rumi’s translated quote mentions in today’s Word of the Day, regardless of what religious tradition that “call” blossoms within. Recently, after laboring within for several months on beginning some new spiritual work, I said, “Yes,” and have begun that leap....
Oh gosh, just recently, in fact. As a Quaker minister, our traditions and call to ministry are both similar, and, quite different than other types of denominations. But a call to ministry has the same “tug” on the soul, as Rumi’s translated quote mentions in today’s Word of the Day, regardless of what religious tradition that “call” blossoms within. Recently, after laboring within for several months on beginning some new spiritual work, I said, “Yes,” and have begun that leap.
I just did. I got up into a brand-new day. And I say this not to be glib, but to be honest. I have never been one for New Year’s resolutions, other than saying goodbye to holiday eating. For me, every new day is a chance to do something new, or, to continue finishing what I began anew yesterday or the day before.
Happy New Year, to all the fine folks who make this site what it is. Thank you!
I am fresh out of insights…at least until I finish this cup of coffee!
Welcome back, Sandra!
Hi Mike, our club name is whaling city rowing in New Bedford Massachusetts. Our team is called the gray Buzzards. New Bedford is located between the city of Providence Rhode Island and Cape Cod along side Buzzards Bay. New Bedford is one of the largest fishing ports in the country.
Hello Mike, Years ago before any of us retired, we used to row at 5:30 AM, then 5:45, then 6:00, 6:30 and now 7:00 AM. I keep ribbing my teammates that before long we’ll be rowing in the afternoon! Same with the weather; our too cold to row cut-off temp was 15 degrees, now it’s 20 with even the wind chill factored in! But once we’re all in the boat and pushing off the dock, we don’t pay much attention to the temperature anyway.
Congratulations, Lioness! I am happy for you in this new year!
Alzheimer’s is one cruel disease, Amy, that’s for sure. Holding your friend and his mom in prayer…..
I agree too that this year, saying goodbye to 2020, and starting anything new, a new year, new hope, and in the US, new leadership coming in, is 100% welcome by me for sure! Let’s all hope and pray that now get the vaccine into the arms of the human race asap! And with that, Happy New Year!!
And to you, also, Ose!
Some of the guys on my rowing team, those of us who row year-round out in the harbor, also compete with their rowing machines at home. Today, we have two boats, 2/3 of our total team members, (six man crews) rowing at 0800 for a 5.5 mile row around Butler Light located outside of the harbor of New Bedford, MA. Right now, it’s 24 degrees….it’s chilly! The oldest man who rows with us is 87! And me, at 70, talk about “no excuses!”
Wishing you the best of luck, Carla, when that new place of employment emerges.
I’m with you, Michele! But I think that we’ll need to wait until Jan 20 for a new president! Happy New Year my friend!
You are not alone, here, Helen. Hang in there!
Love your writing, Howie, thank you! And, Happy New Year to you!
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