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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!
One would think that as a Quaker I would have this living simply thing down pat. But there are days when it is anything but! It seems that I have a number of simple things to attend to, which I rather enjoy doing, to be perfectly honest. But when I want to be “released” from the rhythm of the world, even in the midst of doing things, I listen to music, or get close to my breath, or pay attention to sources of water, watch my grandchildren tear around the yard or play with our dog Gracie. ...
One would think that as a Quaker I would have this living simply thing down pat. But there are days when it is anything but! It seems that I have a number of simple things to attend to, which I rather enjoy doing, to be perfectly honest. But when I want to be “released” from the rhythm of the world, even in the midst of doing things, I listen to music, or get close to my breath, or pay attention to sources of water, watch my grandchildren tear around the yard or play with our dog Gracie. That’s a start.
For me, living simply is not about “stuff,” as in having too much stuff or having just the right amount of stuff that (oftentimes) gives off the appearance of living simply. It’s about how we hold and where we “put” the clutter of the noisy world around us.
Well, if I was no longer here, meaning I was no longer alive, I wouldn’t be missing anything because I’d be dead. Thus far, I am grateful to be listed among the here and now to experience all that life has to offer.
I love the simplicity and depth of this question. And I realize that I am not able to answer it simply, either. Whether it is fear or being afraid of doing some-thing, or logical reasons for not doing a thing depends on what that “thing” is I might consider doing. For example: I’d like to bungee jump, but at age 67, I don’t want to have a heart attack! I’d like to become immersed in the work of a local non-profit, but I fear that my chronic back pain would prevent me fro...
I love the simplicity and depth of this question. And I realize that I am not able to answer it simply, either. Whether it is fear or being afraid of doing some-thing, or logical reasons for not doing a thing depends on what that “thing” is I might consider doing. For example: I’d like to bungee jump, but at age 67, I don’t want to have a heart attack! I’d like to become immersed in the work of a local non-profit, but I fear that my chronic back pain would prevent me from committing fully. So I fear that it depends on the situation!
Each year, two days after Thanksgiving (US) our entire family gathers for what we call “tree day.” We load up the grandkids, family pets, munchies and in four cars head off to a nearby Christmas tree farm. Regardless of the weather, wind, cold, rain and sometimes light snow, we go. We enjoy the hay ride out to the fields, the warming fire provided and in between tromp around looking for just the right tree. Eventually everyone finds a tree and we head back to the barn, pay too much money ...
Each year, two days after Thanksgiving (US) our entire family gathers for what we call “tree day.” We load up the grandkids, family pets, munchies and in four cars head off to a nearby Christmas tree farm. Regardless of the weather, wind, cold, rain and sometimes light snow, we go. We enjoy the hay ride out to the fields, the warming fire provided and in between tromp around looking for just the right tree. Eventually everyone finds a tree and we head back to the barn, pay too much money for a now dying plant, enjoy some “spiced” up hot cider, and head back to our home for a fire, family chatter, watch Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation, then enjoy a meal together until we eventually tire and proclaim the day a success.
What am I waiting for? I am waiting for my strong cup of tea to kick in before I head for the gym!
Of course my wife, Betty Ann would top this list. And I know and appreciate all the many ways that she supports me (as I hope I do her…). The rest of my family, three daughters and their husbands and our six grandchildren, who all live nearby, complete me as a person, dad, family member and grandparent, each in their own way, that I know and feel within that don’t need to be committed to words.
I have a list! I have twenty pounds I’d like to give away. I have more backpacks than places to go. I have enough rowing gear for three people. I have one balding head and too many knitted winter caps. I have one dog and four kinds of treats. I have arthritis in places that nobody wants. I have a US president that nobody needs.
Being more aware of light, its shadows, its brightness and each mired of hues in between. Yesterday I had some work to do on the grounds of our Quaker meetinghouse and community house. I loaded my camera gear into the van thinking I’d spend some time along the way exploring some scenes with my camera. However, I arrived home, twenty-two miles later, never having touched my camera. Perhaps today I’ll capture a slice of that splendor in light.
For starters, it would take me longer to get from one place to another! And yet, the investment of time is well worth it. My professional training in applied listening many years ago taught me how important it was to truly here the other person, and avoid constructing my next statement in my head while the person is still speaking and making eye contact with me. However, in my private life I will confess that while out and about I have caught myself more than once realizing that I had no idea...
For starters, it would take me longer to get from one place to another! And yet, the investment of time is well worth it. My professional training in applied listening many years ago taught me how important it was to truly here the other person, and avoid constructing my next statement in my head while the person is still speaking and making eye contact with me. However, in my private life I will confess that while out and about I have caught myself more than once realizing that I had no idea what a person had just said to me, and there were no other surrounding distractions happening either. That’s embarrassing to admit, but it’s true.
I am not concerned in the least with needing to be right. That’s silly. I am interested in being part of a dialogue where opinions and viewpoints are expressed robustly and with conviction. Show me a person who works hard at scrubbing away any semblance of “being right” and I’ll show you the makings of a dull conversation.
Water, air and my still beating heart.
I experience generosity as both process and action. Process, when others share their talents, time or their knowledge and wisdom with me; and action, when I am moved to share the blessings and the bounty of my own life with others, especially among people who are struggling in some way.
In terms of her age compared to mine, I’d have to say our dog Gracie!
On at least two distinct occasions in my life I have experienced a very clear call of the Spirit to attend to a specific work that came with equal measures of clarity, energy and stamina. Even though I believe that things happen in God’s time and not my own, these days I find my heart yearning to hear such a call again.
Thanks Carol, there’s also another saying that I like, “Living in God’s time and not my own.” Just thinking in those terms lightens up our load, too. …Cheers, Peace and Joy to you. – Kevin
Thanks Deb. Sometimes I think i should be forced to move to a new location every six years or so in a single U-Haul Truck that would force me to lighten my load whether I wanted to or not! My best to you. – Kevin
Oh, I love this response, Christina! Ha! I am with you there!
Good morning, Antoinette! I enjoyed your response to our very shot question today. Thank you!
Well yes, Ed, and that is the rub. I am “of” today, as we all are. So perhaps there is room for me and possibly others to truly hear what stirs in the heart of others that comes by way of words.? Thank you, Ed. I truly appreciate your take on some of these Daily Questions. My best to you as always. –Kevin
Thanks, Pilgrim. I will do that right now. I enjoy David Whyte’s writing very much. Krista Tippet had him on her show On Being awhile ago and that was great also. Thanks again.
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