A rather innate sense of spirituality rooted in nature, particularly the woods and water, and in music. Writing, and a love of books/reading.
Art as “creator” … the art of creating a life made up of minutes and heartbeats, life lessons and accruing wisdom. As “appreciator” … books, musical theatre, music, good photography, and the multi-variations in all of Creation.
The early hours, just after waking (usually before dawn). It feels like a fresh start, an opening to new perspective, inklings of possibility. From Rumi:
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the door sill
Where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.
Trust.
Begin with compassion and kindness toward all persons/creation.
Make the phone call. Send the email or card. Tell another how important they are to you. Smile/laugh and sing more. Work on your strength. Always, always, say thank you and bring as much compassion to the situation as you can muster.
A respite in the extreme weather is a wonderful thing, Diane. I, too, love sugar maple trees. I planted one in my last yard after my divorce, and it was such a touchstone to me in regards to survival and beauty. May your tree respond with a strong life force! Thank you for the quote – I am also Irish, and a big fan of C.S. Lewis in all of his wisdom. Namaste.
What a great lesson and example to pass on on to your daughters. It is good to hear from you here. And I will check out that book recommendation 
What a great choice, Kevin. He was the keynote speaker at my college graduation, and he was wonderful. Then later, I knew of him through my children. So wise!
“I come that you may have life to the full” (in abundance). John 10:10. Jesus also allowed the woman at supper to anoint his feet with wondrous oil. We are the Imago Dei (image of God, Genesis). There could be quite a lively discussion about what Jesus knew and didn’t know, yet came to understand through his fully human life. And also about what R. Rohr meant by Jesus not being “plan B”. My input would be that we are given to ourselves for care, learning, sustena...
“I come that you may have life to the full” (in abundance). John 10:10. Jesus also allowed the woman at supper to anoint his feet with wondrous oil. We are the Imago Dei (image of God, Genesis). There could be quite a lively discussion about what Jesus knew and didn’t know, yet came to understand through his fully human life. And also about what R. Rohr meant by Jesus not being “plan B”. My input would be that we are given to ourselves for care, learning, sustenance, and also to one another and the world. Life is for living fully, which means differently to different people. We have the capacity to reflect on what is truth and fullness of life for ourselves, and we have great and abundant hearts for reaching out to others. We balance, we grow, we discern and change course, we laugh, we love, we have friendships, we love Creation in all her wonders. From my perspective, may I be able to say at the end that I have lived fully and well, and to thank the One who gives life for the opportunities and the gifts of ever flowing grace. (Actually, this ought to happen multiple times a day, thus the creation of this website!)
I am so sorry that you had to go through this experience, Aine. But so very glad you are all ok, dear friend.
A response to your post below, Aine, and your beautiful words of peace and what we can do, along with so many other wonderful words posted here. I have had on my heart multiple times each day the words of St. Francis: “make me a channel (instrument) of your peace …”, the lyrics of John Lennon’s “Imagine”, and yesterday found (again) these words of Etty Hillesum quoted in Sabbath by Wayne Muller. She wrote them from a concentration camp: “Ultimately, w...
A response to your post below, Aine, and your beautiful words of peace and what we can do, along with so many other wonderful words posted here. I have had on my heart multiple times each day the words of St. Francis: “make me a channel (instrument) of your peace …”, the lyrics of John Lennon’s “Imagine”, and yesterday found (again) these words of Etty Hillesum quoted in Sabbath by Wayne Muller. She wrote them from a concentration camp: “Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world.” There is a lovely song by David Haas (available on youtube) with the words: “Peace before us, peace behind us, peace under our feet. Peace within us, peace over us, let all around us be peace.” I guess I got tired of being angry, the kind of anger that is non-productive, and called in all the words of peace I could (some from my hippie days), and am making these a bit of a mantra.
Thank you, Aine. I will check it out.
Dear Aine, thank you for this wonderful quote: “Forgiveness is the ability to make peace with the word No.” This stops me in my tracks, as well.
My heart is with you in your pain and struggle, Aine. I am wondering whether you have ever explored the chakra system of the body, or ways to heal the chakras. From long ago in my memory, it sounds as if this pain may be in your root chakra, which I believe comes from family of origin. Also, and this too may be of no help, but when my mother was deep into her Alzheimer’s and some things could not be healed with her directly, on one of my retreats I just wrote a very long letter to her a...
My heart is with you in your pain and struggle, Aine. I am wondering whether you have ever explored the chakra system of the body, or ways to heal the chakras. From long ago in my memory, it sounds as if this pain may be in your root chakra, which I believe comes from family of origin. Also, and this too may be of no help, but when my mother was deep into her Alzheimer’s and some things could not be healed with her directly, on one of my retreats I just wrote a very long letter to her and that process was very healing for me. Not at all the same situation as your parents’ relationship/anger, but for me it just helped to pour it out in writing. I just wanted to offer these as bits and pieces from my own life experience. I would venture that you are not far from the Divine as you suspect, my friend. Blessings of deep healing to you.
Love this, Niels! Sounds as if Eef knew what you both needed at the end of your walk
Dear Ose, I fear I am not so welcoming to the huge snowfall we had all day long yesterday. I admit to its beauty from within my abode, but in terms of daily life, it is very limiting. Too many days in the house do not do well with my psyche. I am grateful to my family who drives here and makes sure my car is cleared off – a rule of the community, so I can move it when they need to clear the lot. I am grateful to visit this virtual gathering space and find friends and differing perspecti...
Dear Ose, I fear I am not so welcoming to the huge snowfall we had all day long yesterday. I admit to its beauty from within my abode, but in terms of daily life, it is very limiting. Too many days in the house do not do well with my psyche. I am grateful to my family who drives here and makes sure my car is cleared off – a rule of the community, so I can move it when they need to clear the lot. I am grateful to visit this virtual gathering space and find friends and differing perspectives from which to view the world. Thank you for the beautiful pictures you have posted, my friend.
Diane, it can be frustrating to have one’s words from the heart disappear. That seems to happen rather often on this site. Thank you for your intention to share this loving experience with us – such a gift to continue on with childhood friends and neighbors! Your hygge home sounds especially cozy at the end of the day. Blessings, my friend.
Such awareness and courage I read in your post, dear Aine! Just calling the bank can be so frightening and shows our vulnerability to ourselves and perhaps the one who answers the phone or the questions. I bow before you in taking all of these steps. I am happy that you found someone to hear what is true about your situation, honoring your humanity and your struggle in all this. This certainly brings one face to face with “next steps” but now with a lot more information than you h...
Such awareness and courage I read in your post, dear Aine! Just calling the bank can be so frightening and shows our vulnerability to ourselves and perhaps the one who answers the phone or the questions. I bow before you in taking all of these steps. I am happy that you found someone to hear what is true about your situation, honoring your humanity and your struggle in all this. This certainly brings one face to face with “next steps” but now with a lot more information than you had before. You can look at homes with a real intent to purchase, and to imagine how you can (or cannot) make a new home your own. It is so hard to live in the limbo of waiting, and stay well prepared for potential home buyers to come and look at any time. Hug those knocking knees to your heart, breathe, and offer your hopes and intentions to the Universe, my friend. Maybe celebrate this step and news with a little wine, or tea (and cake?), and venture forth into this invitation at the pace that feels right to you and your husband. I pray, hope, and wish well with you in this long awaited journey. Be well
Dear Anna, I am so glad for you that you have found ways to monitor and enjoy your eating, and still be able to sing. Music is SUCH a beautiful gift, for oneself and for others, a most wondrous expression. So may you enjoy your gift! I have had to learn to eat for health and a peaceful gut, not always or even often for taste. Though one’s tastes can change, or at least adapt, according to what is kind to one’s tolerances. It can be a long and winding road. You are worth it, my fri...
Dear Anna, I am so glad for you that you have found ways to monitor and enjoy your eating, and still be able to sing. Music is SUCH a beautiful gift, for oneself and for others, a most wondrous expression. So may you enjoy your gift! I have had to learn to eat for health and a peaceful gut, not always or even often for taste. Though one’s tastes can change, or at least adapt, according to what is kind to one’s tolerances. It can be a long and winding road. You are worth it, my friend.
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