Sunday, October 21, 2012

quiet days

Today was a quiet day.  The first one in a long time.  And it was good. I needed to "be still and know" again. 

Church was good.  Thought-provoking as we are in a series of sermons on the idols we can put in our lives.  Sad how it is so easy to take something that is good, something that God blesses us with, and turn it into something that takes the place of God.

As I looked over e-mail, I saw one about an art show.  So I headed out to feast my eyes and feed my soul by looking at the creativity of others.  There were a couple that spoke to me - and I seriously considered bringing one home to be a regular inspiration to me.  But I wasn't sure I loved them enough.  And maybe that's okay.  I have plenty of "stuff" and perhaps I should only add more "stuff" that makes my soul happy or serves a specific purpose.  

I spent a little time rereading Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie.  It's a good reminder about what is important in life.  Among the bits that spoke to me today are:
    1) "I give myself a good cry if I need it.  But then I concentrate on all the good things still in my life."  p. 57
    2) "Remember what I said about finding a meaningful life?  I wrote it down, but now I can recite it.  Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourelf to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."  p. 127
    3) "Each night, when I go to sleep, I die.  And the next morning, when I wake up, I am reborn."  quote from Mahatma Gandhi on page 129
    4) "Once you start running, I said, it's hard to slow yourself down."  p. 136
    5) "What we take, we must replenish."  p. 141
    6) "In the beginning of life, when we are infants, we need others to survive, right?  And at the end of life, when you get like me, you need others to survive, right?"  His voice dropped to a whisper.  "But here's the secret: in between, we need others as well."  p. 157
    7) "What's wrong with being number 2?"  p. 159

I also took time to concentrate on some of the good things in my life....and thus, my list of gifts continues.

1301) progressive lenses (even though I don't love them yet)
1302) teachers' convention
1303) milestones in life
1304) hugs from children
1305) visiting my grandma
1306) dinners with family
1307) walks in the fall - and hearing the water and seeing the colours and feeling the sunshine
1308) colours of fall juxtaposed with brilliant blue sky
1309) colours of fall juxtaposed with fresh white snow
1310) the passion people have for causes
1311) ringroads
1312) catching up with people
1313) short conversations - but meaningful ones
1314) learning new things
1315) being re-inspired
1316) messages of love and encouragement
1317) attending quilt shows with friends
1318) meeting a "new" young boy from Africa
1319) watching a friend enjoy this young boy, her grandson
1320) knowing roads well enough to have a plan B when snags in travel are encountered
1321) dreams
1322) passions
1323) hope for the future
1324) books
1325) staying with my parents
1326) encouraging my sister
1327) being able to laugh despite circumstances
1328) sitting around a fire with friends
1329) harvesting carrots
1330) beautiful neighbourhoods
1331) art show - and the work of a favourite artist
1332) the process of finding fabrics that create beauty together
1333) the delight of my nieces when I see them
1334) the gift of music as it feeds the soul
1335) the simplicity and depth of symbolism of stones and water

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