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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!
Like most people, perhaps, I have a pretty clear idea of what I will be doing from one day to the next, even, or perhaps especially, as a person in retirement. At 6 AM I arrive at the gym, then breakfast, followed by working with my photography, then meeting with a crew of guys to get the snow out of our whaleboats at 1:30 PM, then my wife and I meet up, perhaps a walk with the dog, then some writing, perhaps attending to pastoral care matters among Quakers, then supper/clean-up, and that con...
Like most people, perhaps, I have a pretty clear idea of what I will be doing from one day to the next, even, or perhaps especially, as a person in retirement. At 6 AM I arrive at the gym, then breakfast, followed by working with my photography, then meeting with a crew of guys to get the snow out of our whaleboats at 1:30 PM, then my wife and I meet up, perhaps a walk with the dog, then some writing, perhaps attending to pastoral care matters among Quakers, then supper/clean-up, and that concludes another day of living. I never need to go looking for something to do, whatever needs attention finds me, and thus far the energy is there to respond to almost all of it.
I am not sure how, or why, I would need or want to be a source of gracious surprise to anyone today. I’d rather just be who I am to those I meet today like any other day. How others might respond to me today is principally their choice and not mine anyway.
By staying close to my breath, and as needed, calling on a brief meditation that I recite just to myself. If I remain centered and calm it prevents my energy from being sucked up into the chaos of the moment.
As I am in day three of staffing a retreat for Elementary aged Quaker children and that’s the mode I am in currently, just being aware of some of the children who struggle in various ways and present somewhat poorly to those around him or her certainly could use added measures of compassion and patience today as we help them pack up and send them home after lunch.
As a Quaker, and in my tradition we worship in silence. So I do try to find some quiet spaces each and every day. As I write this reflection I am staffing at a retreat with 20 plus children and half again as many adult staff, and I am tucked away in a quiet corner to write this reflection before the roar of the morning begins when children awake!
By being present, listening more and talking less.
Back in 2016 I was pleased to be invited by Gratefulness to write a story for their blog. It’s called “The Spiritual Strength of Trees.” Anything I might say about trees is contained in that article. I would add the direct link below, but this site usually strips out hyperlinks to avoid spammers and bots, a good practice actually. If interested, just type in “The Spiritual Strength of Trees” on the home page of Gratefulness.
Opportunity.
At 4:40 AM and still waking up, it’s too dark to see the field in which the new day dawns. Besides, I seldom harvest anything at dawn. Instead, I watch with wonder, humbled by the bounty and the thought that I am living in it.
The Journal of George Fox, John Woolman’s Journal, the Bible (NIV), The Quiet Eye by Sylvia Judson, The Family of Man, edited by Edward Jean Steichen, 1955, Eternal Echoes by John O’Donohue.
Thank you, Aine, for your words here. I have witnessed time and time again the healing power of love, and how it has opened the “heavy doors” of the heart, especially among children once they know that they are safe, accepted and treasured without conditions of any kind. In all the many times that I have seen what love can do, it always, still, brings me great joy and occasionally tears of wonder and thankfulness.
Greetings Sham, your words ring so true, and thanks for sharing how different it was for you growing up. Now and then we have occasionally had children on retreat who have had a traumatic background of having had to live with abuse and neglect somewhere within their young lives. Sometimes these children are shocked to discover that nurture, love, and appropriate limit-setting can be accomplished without harsh or condemning words by their adult caregivers, whom we in our programs call “...
Greetings Sham, your words ring so true, and thanks for sharing how different it was for you growing up. Now and then we have occasionally had children on retreat who have had a traumatic background of having had to live with abuse and neglect somewhere within their young lives. Sometimes these children are shocked to discover that nurture, love, and appropriate limit-setting can be accomplished without harsh or condemning words by their adult caregivers, whom we in our programs call “staff people.” It is not uncommon also for children to grow up within our programs and return to become adults who also staff, which is a gift that goes full circle. For us as adults, it’s a true blessing just to be able to be present to, and among these young people whether they are nine years old or older teens who serve as “junior staffers” during our weekend retreats.
Thanks Anna, and that it was. Now, back home and the day after, I know it was a good retreat weekend when I’m feeling very tired. I usually try to schedule nothing at all the day following a weekend retreat with young people!
Hi Aine….indeed! There’s a kind of primal, and at times, holiness to that motion and commotion, if one can listen past the noise to feel it.
…I am lucky to be able to be among them, too. Thanks for your comments, my friend.
Thank you, Barbara, for reading my story and your kind reply.
Thank you, my friend….not sure about the wisdom piece, but being reasonably healthy, I’m still waiting for the wealthy! Let me know when I can pick that up, okay? Haha!! > Cheers, love and friendship to you, Antoinette.
Wishing you ample measures of grace, and fortitude, Kathy, on your road ahead. > Kevin
Thank you, Anna. I must say that their origins came from near and far over time, some of which just settled into my bones.
Thank you, Antoinette, Wishing you a measure of peace, joy and love also, my friend. During my working years with young people I kept a small wooden sign on the wall in my office that read, “Remember to Breathe.” It was a great discussion starter with kids, especially stressed out teens who needed to find ways to connect with their bodies.
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