Celebrate - Live it! II

16" x 20" Mixed Media Collage - Tattoo Tilework

Win this WOOLLEY COLLAGE* 

I wrote of my 2012 words of the year and shared the concept of celebrating this big year in my life with a friend who asked me the other day "how's the celebration coming along?"  So today, I thought about that - HOW am I "living it?" Switch off now if boring is too much for you:)  

-Yoga practice and running are better than ever
- I actually got in a couple of 10K runs in the last week - btw - I always take a BIG rest after those long runs.  The runs aren't exactly "easy" - I'm afraid I grimace inside a little when someone projects on me that everything is easy for me because I'm a runner?
-We celebrated New Year's Day with friends for brunch after church.
-We've had three last minute serendipity dinners here in our remodeled kitchen/family room and that's a resolution that I've made and broken more than once in the past.  Friends are so important and should be celebrated often!
-In nurturing friendships, I've special lunch dates coming up on three occasions - one to celebrate a friend's dear mother's 90th birthday.
-This weekend we've had the pleasure of attending Walla Walla's first winter Chamber Music Festival It's been a doozy with guest performances of "Project Trio" from Brooklyn, NY.
-We celebrated with a young couple at a reception for their 30th wedding anniversary, side by side with their children who were just past toddler age when we first met them here in WW - now a freshman and senior in college.
-We've met and made new friends that we look forward to knowing better.
-We fly this week to Minneapolis for a family wedding of a nephew and his beautiful bride........I know, who gets married in January?! in MN........well, it's part of life's grand celebration and we'll be there with family, missing and counting those who aren't able to attend but so happy to live into another celebration.
-I'm painting alot and enjoying the exhilaration of completing works that I really love!

So yes, I'm happy and thrilled to be celebrating and living this life of mine - 2012 - and hoping that you're doing the same.  It'll look different for all of us but recognizing our moments of joy and sorrow as celebration rather than routine may make all the difference in lives of thanksgiving and honor to our Creator.

*visit my website in January 2012, join the mail list, and you become eligible for a random drawing. winner announced 2/2/12

We begin again.........

"SUNFLOWERS AREN'T ALWAYS YELLOW"
Mixed Media Acrylic Collage 18" x 36"

"Always we begin again"

- St. Benedict -

In art, in life, in Lent, it is as St. Benedict says - "Always we begin again."  I suspect he might have referred to my practice of living in God's world attempting to be decent to others, trying to leave an honest legacy of some kind, planning (again) to live a holy Lent, trying to remember the force, power and love of God are within me, and yet falling short even in these first few hours of Ash Wednesday!  

Perhaps the idea that my morning is spinning out of control; first with the rain (I've decided not to walk in it - even though training for race days that hold no promise of sunny weather are something I need to consider), even though my quick photography of completed artwork finds my photos lacking clarity (how can I ever put together a decent portfolio if I can't handle the camera settings?!), even though my short and simple task of posting this a.m. has turned a bit sour as the "preview" link does not want to cooperate with me, even though my creative time is fleeting and still I insist on trying more photos, writing more words............what trivial complaints I have and then I remember the words of St. Benedict from this a.m.'s first reading (I did do that right:)  in the Abbey of the Arts Lenten Journey.  "Always we begin again." I give hearty thanks that the phrase has come to my mind.  Now I'm off to practice it!

Today's my birthday

Yes, today's my birthday and I'm loving it!*

Last evening after my spouse and I had celebrated the occasion in our most favorite restaurant, we laughed and gave thanks for the wonder of how fast the years fly by, how young we feel, how healthy we are, and how grateful we are to live with God's presence in our lives.  There's not much way to significantly change any of these thanksgivings - rather they will perhaps change by themselves.

The years will unlikely not be slowing down for us, the youthful feelings may take on a burnished edge, the health, although we will continue to guard it as best we can, may falter now and then.  And our gratefulness for the life we live together, along with our friends and family, will only grow as God's presence continues to be with us and manifest itself in outward signs of love, caring, and humility.

Yes, today's my birthday and I'm celebrating it!

*Early celebration in NY w/daughter Kari, granddaughters Addison and Morgan

Just one "L"

Image by ms sdb via Flickr

I've been sharing choices and changes with you this week - those that have made a difference for me and those I hope might inspire you to make new choices/changes for yourselves.  Coincidentally yesterday (if there is such a thing as a coincidence) in my meditation/writing time a little thought  related to choice/changes subject popped up.   I'm going to share it with you today.

There's so much good in my heart and life right now that I burst with the joy of it all.   I wonder, do you feel joy as I do or do you suppress that possible exhilaration for yourself from a mindset of scarcity (thinking you have no joy or anything to bring you joy) or just from a mind full of to do lists?

Thinking about "mind full" vs "mindful" awareness, I wonder at the big  difference that little letter "L" makes in those words and in our actions.  Too busy, too stressed, too overwhelmed - minds full of tragedy, worry, trivia vs our being mindful of blessings, thanksgiving, of the abundance of life, the health we are fortunate to know for the moment, our eyes, our bed, our connection and support from families, friends and fellow mindful bloggers. 

Which will I/we choose today - mind full or mindful?  And you, which will you choose?  I pray that both you and I will make the second choice and experience how that selection may serve to change our day today and maybe all of the days in our lives.

Honoring Our Ancestors

Reflected in my post of last Thursday, I believe that spending three days in retreat is an amazing gift to offer oneself. Words about my participation in this past weekend's retreat/workshop of honoring the Celtic celebration of Samhain and the Christian feasts of All Saints and All Souls could fill a book and will no doubt unfold in future posts. I will only say through the small poem below that reflecting upon my ancestors felt unfamiliar to me upon arriving at the retreat and unforgettably enriching with my departure.

This poem was written in response to one of the weekend leader's meditation and writing exercises - it is also my entry in the poetry party over at Abbey of the Arts this week.

Stepping across the threshold I'm greeted by a light....

A rush of family history and story floods my senses
Seeing through a thin blue veil of mist
I believe the sun is out, though not of that in August
But that of a crisp December day

Earl, Marion, Anne, Joanne, Uncle Slats, Paul
Where have they come from and why
Such a strange gathering greeting me with loving faces, outstretched arms
My heart is stopped, still, like a stone

DANG! I'm dead, I must be dead
No, yes, no - my breath has stopped but I'm not dead at all
Stop, stop with the logic - hold these moments

My own thanksgiving and love for them covers me - akin to the mist of welcome
I'm very much alive and being embraced by the family of my youth
Realizing they've never left me - their love still supporting and blessing me

Stepping across the threshold I'm greeted by a light....

Photo by Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts

The Communion of the People

This is the table, not of the Church, but of the Lord. It is to be made ready for those who love Christ and who want to love Christ more. So, come, you who have much faith, and you who have little, you who have been here often; and you who have not been for along time, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. Come, not because it is we who invite you; it is our Lord. It is God's because it is we who invite you; it is our Lord. It is God's will that those who want to be in Christ should meet the Lord here.
-from the Iona Community-

Help us to realize that we are all your children and that we each reflect your love. .....from Prayers of the People, Episcopal Book of Common Prayer

Photo - Courtesy Zemanta - The Book of Common Prayer, Scotland, 1637*
Certainly an ancient prayerbook - I really liked the image and hope it's not still in use somewhere

We do this by encouraging one another....

I've been part of a spiritual formation group in my Episcopal parish, in one form or another, for the past 8 years. I say, in one form or another, as I've participated in the same format of study with at least 4 different small groups over the 8 years. One group of us has been meeting together for 6 years. We've survived illness, death, "sudden" death of one of us, marriage, divorce, happiness, sorrow, and God's blessings together. Sometimes we agree on a lot - sometimes on not much!

Here's part of the quote we open our meetings with each week -

"We gather together with one purpose - to become better disciples of Jesus Christ. We do this by encouraging one another to keep Jesus' word, which, as he said, is what we naturally do when we love him (John 14:23-24). Through the grace of mutual accountability, we strive to inspire one another to love and good works."*

We recite vows to seek continual renewal through - spiritual exercises, spiritual gifts, acts of service, by setting aside time regularly for prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading and seeking to practice the presence of God. To strive mightily against sin and to do deeds of love and mercy, as well as to welcome the Holy Spirit, to exercise the gifts and nurture the fruit while living in the joy and power of the Spirit. To serve others everywhere we can and to work for justice in all human relationships and social structures. To share our faith with others as God leads and to study the Scriptures regularly. To joyfully seek to show forth the presence of God in all that we are, in all that we do, and in all that we say.

The spiritual formation groups' vows echoed in my mind on Sunday a.m. while listening to our parish priest remind the congregation of our duties to become better disciples of Jesus. He was inspired in his sermon and wanted, I believe, to catch each of us by our collars and shout in our faces - don't you understand how important these words are to your life as a Christian, to your life as a member of this parish, to your life as one of God's children?! As I said, I believe he was inspired in the words he spoke and they were reminders of how far or not we are willing to go for and with our Creator.

I hear these words in my spiritual formation group every week and yet, hearing them again from the pulpit with sincerity and forcefulness from this earnest young priest, I could have thought, oh yeah, I know all of that and perhaps even felt badgered by God. On the contrary, I knew the words were inspired and were yet one more opportunity for me and for my pew pals to know that being a child of God requires more than sitting in a pew for one hour and a quarter on a Sunday a.m.......when we feel like it!

My way to spiritual connection is not the way for everyone and certainly there are those, if still reading and haven't clicked off already, who are being called into life, love, thanksgiving, and being by another name than that of Jesus'.

But, question - have you made a spiritual connection with God, or with Jesus, or with the Virgin Mary, or with Allah, or the Dalai Lama, or with a famous evangelist, or spiritual author.....do you have a spiritual connection to that which is greater than yourself - that which I call God? Do you exercise that connection? Do you encourage others to exercise their spiritual connections? Has someone encouraged you? I wonder about others in their quests for spirituality and connection......Some days I know that my living is not always in line with the principles that I've outlined in this post and some days I get actually sort of close to the target - not the bullseye - just the target! How about you?

*A Renovare Resource for Spiritual Renewal, Smith/Graybeal p. 99, Order of Meetingj

Photo - SS - Maui Sea and Sky

Praise, Worship, Thanksgiving

For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life: I praise and worship Thee, O Lord.

A verse from John Baillie's "A Diary of Private Prayer"

Blogiversary

MINDSIEVE,
Sometimes serious, sometimes not.

200 posts as of January 3, 2009.
Happy New Year to all.
Thanks for your support!


P.S. I think Riley has an anniversary also:)

Holiday travel and thanksgivings

In a crowded airport waiting area, I observe families plugged into Ipods, computer games, noise-cancellers and music oblivious to those around them; residing in their own space – e-mail, “necessary” cellphone calls. Watching one small boy, I am charmed by his rapt attention to a gameboy....he stops, digressing briefly to absentmindedly pick, examine, and eat that little booger tickling his nose. I find myself a little less charmed.

Parents with kids who are NOT plugged in explaining “soon we’ll be on the plane” and “remember what mommy promised?” I, wondering what the bribe is and if its charm will last for another 7 hours?

Young dads launch toddlers twirling and giggling into the air – toddlers loving it to the point of over-stimulation guaranteeing an exhausting, non-sleeping flight for child, parents and seat mates alike. (They probably won’t know the benefits of Benadryl or Dramamine until they are grandparents☺)

Relieving restlessness prior to boarding, waiting passengers scurry off to shops to add yet more items to backpacks, handbags, rollaboards, ….. purchasing neck pillows, books, magazines, gum, water, chips, Starbucks, Tully’s, burger and fries - items to be jammed into already bursting carryons.

Sitting in a jam-packed airport, anticipating an overbooked flight full of grumpy passengers, crying children, and a spouse who finds me impatient while he has perhaps forgotten what it means to travel on holidays, I count myself among the blessed to be hour by hour closer to beloved children and grandchildren and know what? I give thanks!

Illumination

Over at Abbey of the Arts it's poetry week with the theme of illumination. I've borrowed the Abbey's lovely photo and entered my words below in thanksgiving for the gift of illumination that poetry has brought to my life and in thanksgiving for five amazing days of spiritual retreat on the Hood Canal.

Yearning for the light
Aching to hear, to see, to respond
I wrap myself in silence, listening, praying, being
Warmed by the cover, encouraged by a spark, I joyously shed my shroud in pursuit of the fire

Photo - Abbey of the Arts - CVPaintner

Life is a wonderful collage these days

Traveling, planning and arranging the "next" trips, reading, working in the yard, walking, jaunts to the gym, yoga, blogging, movie watching, volunteering, entertaining, dinner with friends, dinner with just the two of us, loving the beautiful July and August weather in the 80's, cooking outdoors, fresh fish and chicken, corn, peaches, blueberries, watermelon - the lazy days of summer in this early retirement life are wonderful blessings that I immensely treasure.

An additional treasure I've finally found for myself after imagining it for so many years is the drawing, painting, cutting, glueing - the art of collage. So comparable to early retirement in the fact that as I begin a new piece, although I've thought it over in my mind for a while, I never quite know what will truly materialize. The beauty in both daily living and daily collaging seems to be relaxing into them while learning to lean into the challenge and enjoy whatever my hands and heart and mind come together to create or to weather.

Yes, life and art are comparable collages. All of our lives, so busy, so full......I'm trying to savor each day filled with the joy of living! May you do the same.

collage - SS - Apple Joy

Reflection on Spiritual Dryness

If you visit Mindsieve often, you may remember my post of a few days ago about seemingly being adrift from my spiritual side. At the time, I quoted a favorite author, Henri Nouwen. Well, just as God would have it, I believe, Henri gave me some comfort and encouragement 2 days later! I quote -

Sometimes we experience a terrible dryness in our spiritual lives. We feel no desire to pray, don't experience God's presence, get bored with worship services, and even think that everything we ever believed about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spiriit is little more than a childhood fairy tale.

(During that time) it is important to realize that most of these feelings and thoughts are just feelings and thoughts, and that the Spirit of God dwells beyond our feelings and thoughts. It is a great grace to be able to experience God's presence in our feelings and thoughts, but when we don't, it does not mean that God is absent. It often means that God is calling us to a greater faithfulness. It is precisely in times of spiritual dryness that we must hold on to our spiritual disciplines so that we can grow into new intimacy with God.

Well, there you have it - a ready made, hand delivered message through one of God's great servants, Henri Nouwen. In the meantime, I also received marvelous, encouraging comments from some of my favorite bloggers, whom I also consider God's servants, Country Parson, Lucy, and Tess, whom I believe were tapped to deliver messages to me also. Thanks be to God:)

photo - Entertwined by SS

Children as parents' guests

I share thoughts inspired by Henri J. M. Nouwen. In his March 7 entry in "Bread for the Journey - a Daybook of Wisdom and Faith" Nouwen writes -

The Great Gift of Parenthood
Children are their parents' guests. They come into the space that has been created for them, stay for a while - fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five years--and leave again to create their own space. Although parents speak about "our son" and "our daughter," their children are not their property. In many ways children are strangers. Parents have to come to know them, discover their strengths and their weaknesses, and guide them to maturity, allowing them to make their own decisions.

The greatest gift parents can give their children is their love for each other. Through that love they create an anxety-free place for their children to grow, encouraging them to develop confidence in themselves and find the freedom to choose their own ways in life.


And so they are - guests in our home. Some are ever welcomed, some require extra amenities to entice them to stay longer and some maybe bribes to leave as soon as possible!

They hang out quite relaxed in often, first class accommodations, enjoying room service, meals, transportation, dry cleaning,free internet service and even entertainment. Yep, it's a pretty good place to stay and some of our guests even realize that once they've left the "establishment":)!

Would that they were our own.....as although they are not actually chattel, we are often expected to take the heat for their troubles, their lack of success, their low self-esteem, their high self-esteem, their jobs, their succcess, their failures. And bad enough that we are often "expected" to take the heat, if we aren't, then we self impose all of those happenings as directly attributable to our failed efforts in doing the best job we know how to do as parents.

In our time as parents in this age, it is easy enough to suggest that the greatest gift we can give our children is our love for each other as parents. That is a wonderful ideal and I agree with it whole-heartedly. My "but" is that the pressures bourne by two, loving parents, trying to stay in touch with each other and with their children while balancing their own psyches, jobs, health, standard of living, etc. seems monumentally, perhaps, too high an ideal. Yet, without that love for each other, if we've chosen or find ourselves in a two-parenting role, I cannot think of a higher priority gift to give our children and each other. The bond of two persons securely in love, protecting that love, working at keeping that love may not be able to "fix" our kids' problems, but it will be there a precious gift to each other when the children do find their own ways, and as one of you sits on the bed and sobs about all the doubts you have as a parent, the greatest gift you will have given each other is the love that comforts you with a simple hug and a tissue!

Lest you believe that I'm a goody-two shoes with a life long one love, worshiped since early adulthood-I will divulge that my own spouse and I were not fortunate enough to "find" each other in our youth. We were lucky enough to do that after our own first marriages lapsed into the "failed category." We have four (two and two) wonderful adult children that were once the Brady Bunch, sans Alice, and without total peace in our household a good bit of the time. They were not ours to keep, they are not now our responsibility, we are not the reasons for their successes and their failures, for their triumphs and defeats. Although they did not see us together in their early childhood, I know that they've seen us together in an openly loving relationship for 25 years. I hope that relationship gives them courage to maintain their own loves, some to still be found, for a lifetime. It is a gift that we are privileged to share with our children - I hope it makes them stronger in their relationships - it is a gift to them and a huge gift we've been given - we work diligently at keeping that gift intact and growing. It is our gift to ourselves and it is a gift to our children.

Fully Engaged?

Speaking to me this a.m. during my Lenten reading* were these words -

“If a reader participates, his imagination actively engaged, the poem rises pulsing with the full richness of life. The small child with a limp balloon that will not inflate itself first becomes frustrated and then bored, believing that balloons will not play with him. But the child who invests the living breath of his body to see the balloon grow large against his face and then cries out with joy as he bounces the balloon lightly in the air, has discovered the delights – as well as risks – of deep involvement.”

*“Dimensions of Poetry – A Critical Anthology” – Miller and Slote

How true is this for me in all walks of my life. Exercise, diet, conversation, observation, writing, seeking friendship, nurturing relationship, seeking God – all dimensions of my life are richer and more life-giving when I actively engage in these activities.

The fullness of God’s blessings and plans for my life have only been scratched on the surface by my efforts. My prayer and plan is to fully engage in this day’s precious moments – as seemingly incidental or as unimportant as they may seem.

A plan, a resolve – maybe you should include engaging fully in your plans today also?


photo by Sunrise Sister

Aloha from Maui

Yep, we're back on Maui. It's been two years since we were here with 3 of our children, a son-in-law to be that we were all falling in love with, and two marvelous grandchildren. Last year we were on the Big Island, sans children, etc. and this year we are back on Maui. Our youngest daughter and and yet another favored son-in-law with 2 more grandchildren will be joining us this year for a few days. We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy these wonderful days with our children in a paradise-like setting.

We will be here for 3 weeks and then we will venture over to Oahu to visit my husband's sister and family and to celebrate a big birthday date. All in all, we have a wonderful month planned for ourselves to celebrate both of our retirements and to launch yet another phase in our own lives and in our lives together. We give God great thanksgiving for this time together and for the time with our families.

What special blessings and thanksgivings will you be celebrating in 2008? No day should go without giving thanks - what are you most thankful for today?