For me, “in the flow” happens when I am either working on a piece of writing or attempting to capture a certain feel and image with my camera. Unfortunately, my chronic back pain has prevented me from getting into that zone very often over the past few years. Having undergone major back surgery just four days ago I am hoping to experience being in the flow more frequently once I heal. At the moment, however, the only “flow” I am in is a drug haze caused by all the medications I’m on, which I am grateful to have available to me!

I want to believe that I am kind in all situations including those that are difficult. But I also realize that such a statement is likely not true either! I know for myself that if I am interacting in a tense situation with another person and feel that my “kindness score,” if you will, is in right order and I deliberately attempt to insert more kindness into the interaction for no particular reason, then doing so not only distorts the exchange but also, in my view, comes across as disingenuous.

If one’s head and heart are in the right place during a difficult interaction with another person then usually it is just that, a difficult situation that you process your way through and be done with it.

Today’s question is a good one for me to jump back in to this community following my surgery. First I would like to say thank you to all of the deer souls in this space who wished me well before, during and just following my surgery. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have one more day in hospital before heading home.As for the question, “what really matters to me?,” my answer is simple. My wife, our children, our grandchildren and the rest of our family are first and foremost the most important things in my life. Following that is my faith community, a joyful mix of friends , including this community and of course my photography. I am really hoping that once my healing is complete down the road that I will be able to spend more time with my photography in ways that I have not been able to do over the last few years. That, I am very grateful

The sun has barely risen as I begin this new day. That is a miracle onto itself. In a few hours I will practice my faith in silence among other Quakers and that too, as the Spirit stirs among those in worship, is worthy of celebration. We will need to wait until the appointed hour to know whether or not quiet miracles also attend.

In the afternoon family and extended family arrive to celebrate the birthday of two of our grandchildren, twins, who are turning twelve years old. Now that’s miraculous, and, never quiet!
– Kevin

As I read today’s question I feel the need to soften or tailor the question itself to avoid any sense of self-importance or aggrandizement. I know that was certainly not in the minds and hearts of the folks at Gratefulness in offering it, but the question as it stands alone could “sound” that way, at least in my mind.

I treasure how all of the people in my life, those I see personally while living through a day and online in this space, are truly whole and unique in numerous ways. That’s what makes interacting with one another so enjoyable. And I know too that who I am and what I stand for as an individual, spiritually, intellectually and emotionally, warts and all, comprise my very being. And this I honor and value as my own gift of personhood. In short, it is all I have and all I will ever have, so why not share it with others as way opens? Thus far in my life, the vehicles that carry the essence of who and what I am, I believe, are shared through my words, photography and when the Spirit calls me to provide care to people in my life.
– Kevin

I am praying and holding you in my heart, Shelly. I am terribly sorry for the loss of your son, Brieson. Having cared for and worked with many others who have lost loved ones in similar ways, I can say that you are on a long and tender walk here, a new journey that takes time, which can feel both like a balm and an irritant from one day to the next. I hope that you continue to seek support from those around you, and in this space. You are correct that some things will never be the same again, but most discover that a day does come, down the road, when you have arrived at a new normal. It never diminishes the loss but it does feel like a better place. I pray that you will get there too with time.