First Half of Life?

First & Second Lives - Fully Integrated

Reading Richard Rohr's - "Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life", I was reminded last evening about viewing from the second half. Having dinner in a beautiful Maui restaurant at the casual setting of the bar - in close proximity to other diners -  a darling young couple settled into their places next to us. Both, almost simultaneously, asked the bartender for some sort of delicious non-alcoholic beverage for the wife as "they" were pregnant.

We struck up a conversation about the strawberry, frothy milkshake libation that came and then laughingly engaged in conversation with them about when the baby was due, their first, how exciting......etc. As we visited a flash of Rohr's rhetoric came into my head as I clearly observed them chronologically and experience wise in their first half, with us observing and visiting with them from our second. We imparted parent-like, congratulatory, loving comments on their expected treasure knowing that they had NO apparent reason to be overly concerned with first half/second half issues - only with the now, only with their youth, only with their child.  I believe that's the only way the first half of life can be viewed when you're in it.

Maybe to the point though, this is not the first time I've felt myself looking "back" at couples, and youth in general, living life as though there were no second half - only the now of youthfulness....  a wonderful time of innocence and naivete.   There is really no reason they should be looking at the second half (aside from financial planning, healthy living, and retirement investments:) ONLY IN THAT how much better off could we all be if we had put more planning into our living as long as we have and as long as we hope to live.  

It seems to me that if we've had the good fortune to reach the second half of our lives (and I'm talking to most of us over 40, hoping to make that 80 number at least) we might give some thought as to how we might influence first halfers a bit more  - without heavy handed preaching or advice.

First half can be so rough - we of the second half have much to offer, much to pass on, much love to give those in their first halves! With just a little more effort toward mentoring, exhorting, and influencing of young adult lives toward their spiritual development - their lives walked with God - their financial decisions, their healthy life styles - couldn't we make their paths less rocky, not rockless, just less rocky - offering them a rake to smooth their gravelly path?  Yet advice, rather than mentoring or influencing, can be viewed as second-hand (not as good as first hand) advice.....not really worthy of taking......I mean, did we listen, did we think those in the second half of their lives were anything other than old?  If only we could figure out how to share more together between the halves.

Does God Play Fair?

So there I was just minding my own business, enjoying Maui, the worship service, the sermon, the fresh air, the prayers............just settling back into the pew after receiving the Eucharist this a.m., when, BAM!, a familiar face from our hometown was coming back from just having received the Eucharist also.  I nudged my seatmate and was that a gasp I heard?......well, almost.

There in the midst of the 10 Commandments and Jesus turning over the tables in the temple sermon was a person who used to be a fellow Episcopalian, who we used to socialize with in friends' homes, who used to, well......until....... the gay issue lit some kind of fire in his belly and he turned away from the Episcopal church, determined in so doing to take away as many Episcopalians as he could with him and then when that wasn't enough, he went back (?) and took more of his Episcopal friends to the true and holy Roman catholic church of his childhood, of his imagination, of whatever?

O.K. God, this is dirty pool but something I've seen You use before - a big fat in-my-face REMINDER of what those 10 commandments mean, of whom I am called to love, of whom I am to forgive, of whom I am to be as Christian whether, Episcopal, Baptist, Roman Catholic, or Presbyterian.  A REMINDER that just because I would argue vehemently, disagree totally, and have been really hurt by another's actions, I can't pretend to be Christian unless I forgive, unless I greet, unless I love, unless I repent (turn) in the direction you would have me go.  A REMINDER that I must offend you often, behave outrageously often, forget to love, to forgive, to repent and still you love and forgive me.........may I remember your love and with gratitude show it to those I might not choose, convincingly and with sincerity......it doesn't seem fair ALL of the time but then again, thanks for the REMINDER - I'm willing to give it a go again!

Top almost 9 Maui Restaurants

Polenta Stack at Lahain Grill

This post has little relevance to most of my readers but can't resist - we've had amazing food on this trip and these restaurants are just fabulous!  Excellent menus, service, ambiance!

1.  The Lahaina Grill - Polenta Stack was outstanding - flavors just melting in my mouth.  This night I had lobster ravioli to begin!.......the management decided our party of 6 needed a variety of desserts, creme brulee, berry pie, warm chocolate cake with ice cream

2.  The Pineapple Grill - Short Ribs Ravioli appetizer with Surfin' Goat Dairy Cheese - rich enough for a meal - saving room for dessert, oh my - one night was warm chocolate cake and another their famous pineapple upside down cake with fresh pineapple topped with Roselani's macadamia ice cream and coconut phyllo shreds on top - oh and surrounded by an amazing caramel sauce!  Rombauer bottle completed this delish dinner

3.  I'O - amazingly imaginative fresh fish dishes - beautiful ocean breezes

4.  Roy's Kahana, now Roy's Kaanapali - they've moved - but still the best butterfish ever!!! Just order the appetizer size

5.  HONO - 2 lunches and 2 dinners with take-home boxes as well.  Steve does takeout non-dairy chocolate mousse cake here!  The turtle watching as well as the manta rays surfing were enchanting evening time entertainment

6.  MALA - room for toasted brussels sprouts - it'll change your definition of bs forever!

7.  Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop - lunchtime, I've never had a BLT to write home about but this place deserves the accolade, thick bacon, avocado, sweet maui onion, sweet mountain grown fresh lettuce,  the piecrusts - soft and flaky, the secret - lard, of course - definitely on Steve's non-dairy dessert list.  He chose dairy free, I chose coconut creme pie and chocolate macadamia, carmel sauce

8.  Kai Sushi - well, it will ruin your idea of sushi for anyplace else!  So fresh!

9.  Star Noodle*




*review pending - we haven't been able to actually get in to Star Noodle YET - their beautiful, rather small restaurant is always hoppin' and we keep trying to catch them on an "un-hoppin'" night:)

Scared and Sacred

“Scared and sacred are spelled with the same letters. Awful proceeds from the same root word as awesome. Terrify and terrific. Every negative experience holds the seed of transformation.”  ― Alan Cohen

An interesting quote........I came upon it earlier this week while visiting the blogsite - "Word In The Hand".


I highly recommend you visit the site today and read the post entitled - "No More Fear"
Enjoy!

Whole Sermons....notes or none -

Church of the Holy Innocents, Lahaina

I'm married to an Episcopal priest - one who gives sermons from notes and can seldom recite verbatim all the words said in a sermon, a eulogy, a lecture..... that's a good thing a lot of the time but often I wish he had the words written down for me to chew over, discuss, debate, etc. 

While on Maui, we worship at our favorite Episcopal church, The Church of the Holy Innocents in Lahaina and the priest, Father Bill Albinger, does write out his sermons, refer to his notes, publish the text later.  Although I recognize Bill must be a gifted speaker without notes, he used to address juries, I think, the text of his sermons to be reflected upon later after a service is always welcomed by me.  Below were the closing words of his text last Sunday..........

"Perhaps this Lent we might give more thought to what we fear and what we wish for and then ask if these leave enough room for God to enter our lives. Are we as individuals, as a church, as a nation so fearful and angry and so determined to be who we are or think we must be that we cannot see who God is calling us to become? (My underlining:) Perhaps everybody has room for improvement in this area.*

My words now - Who do you think you are and who do you think you must be?  Have you reached GOD'S plan or potential for yourself or are you - oh here it comes - to blind to see the forest for the trees?! ............how's Lent going for you?

*Sermon, Father William J. Albinger Sunday March 4, 2012 Lent 2B 2012 (Sermon delivered from notes – this is a recreation)

Take time......rediscover yourself

 Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten Devotions – Reading in Mark......."In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.  In the midst of demands on his time and energy, Jesus took the time to find a quiet place, a deserted place,  and there found renewal and refreshment.

I cannot prevent the calls and appointments and emails and texts that fill my day, but I can be intentional about taking time to find my own quiet place, rediscover myself as God's beloved child and breathe once more the healing air of wholeness."

 - C. K. Robertson

Jesus - My really BIG Brother!

Set in Cement

 

 

 

Reading from Episcopal Relief and Development's daily Lenten devotions I came upon this quote –

"Jesus taught us to pray to God as a parent.  This makes all of us/me siblings, not only with each other, but also with Jesus."

Now there's a big brother connection to flaunt on the playground?!!

Not everything.....

"ABUNDANCE"
Original Collage 

 "Not everything that is faced can be changed.  But nothing can be changed until it is faced."

James Baldwin

Metta - Meditation

Metta - loving kindness mediation as described at Wikipedia:

"The cultivation of loving-kindness is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism.  The practice begins with the meditator cultivating loving-kindness towards themselves, then their loved ones, friends, teachers, strangers, enemies, and finally towards all beings.  The practice is associated with a method whereby one breathes out ("sends") happiness and breathes in ("receives") suffering."

A few weeks ago I embarked upon a new experience for me – entering into a six hour workshop regarding and practicing silent meditation for a full day.  There I was along with 25 others, sitting and or kneeling in a way that I thought I could remain centered for at least one half hour at a time.  In other words, out of 6 hours, the group was silent for a full 5 hours in either sitting or walking meditation. Amazing is about all I can say - peaceful, centering, restful kindness - why should such a practice be so foreign to me?

"No" is the answer if you expect that I'm becoming a Buddhist.  "Yes" is the answer if you think that I believe that all meditation - Buddhist, Muslim, Christian - is a powerful tool in reaching that which is totally outside of ourselves yet surrounds us moment to moment of our entire breathing life.  "Yes" is the answer I give to wanting to give meditation at least 30 minutes a day.    "Yes" is the answer to committing to more effort in stillness and in connection with God.  "Maybe" is the reality of what may actually happen.

 

Meditation

A recent discussion re meditation with a friend via email –

......and the meditation that I do and that others do, I'm not always so sure that the message comes to me/us in those exact moments of meditation but I do believe the stillness that we can achieve during those times is a plus to our inner nervous system, our outer physical being, and our soul - only God knows how that all happens and what message we may discover later when "reflecting upon the reflecting moments:)"

Lent - an invitation to joy?

Lent - fear, dread, self-loathing, scarcity, self-denial – is that all there is to it? Certainly inward reflection of what we have done and not done is a worthy act - no matter the church season – but really must it be so dark?

Recently during a spiritual formation group discussion, one of my study pals stated she felt Lent might, could be, should be and why not, a season of Joy.  At the same meeting as her comment, we made a group decision to enter into a meditation time during the hours we normally share together in study.  We invited our congregation, if they were so moved, to join in meditation also.  I don't know if few or many will take up the invitation but I suggest that many may hesitate to spend the hour or so in what they might view as a time of lament, darkness,  and depression.  I go back to my friend's comment regarding a season of joy...........why can't our reflections encompass more than dread, more than self-recrimination?

And so my friend's thoughts were powerfully echoed during a sermon preached here in Maui on Ash Wednesday – Lent, why not an invitation to joy?!

  

"Lent, my friends, is an invitation to joy. It is an invitation to build a treasure house that we can visit anytime, a treasure house whose doors and windows you can leave open and invite others in. I wish you all a holy Lent."*

*Quote from the Reverend Bill Albinger, Rector, Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, Lahaina, Maui....I will be happy to forward you the full sermon if you say the word.

Ash Wednesday or...........

 Ash Wednesday or Ash Week - what do you think?  

You'll find what I think over at  diannawoolley.com

Art, 5K, and Easter Preparations

"Will You Make a Difference Today?"

11" x 13" - Mixed Media Collage*

Art, physical, and/or spiritual training -  any immediate connection/reactions for you there?  I hadn't thought of any similarities in the subjects until my daughter, the one in triathalon training, sent me an article entitled "The Lazy Triathlete".   The article poses a quite poignant question to those "in training" about whether or not they are willing to put in the extra effort it takes to be a winner or whether they are just "putting in their training time" as a habit. Marathon/physical training of any sort, and/or preparation for one's growth in spirituality - they might all be compared to the long distance preparation I've been doing in order to prepare for a one woman visual arts show scheduled in June.  

I remind myself daily that if there's not consistent work prior to the show it is unlikely that there will be anything for potential buyer/clients to view.   Switching my canvases from work areas atop a table, on to the floor, on to an easel - viewing the work in progress from a different perspective, making adjustments -  the work is getting done and my inventory grows piece by piece. 

The same way I've been training for a potential 5K YMCA fun run in May and a 13K Seattle Rock 'n Roll event in June - the only way to train is to plan and to execute the physical steps of dedicated exercise for weeks prior to the runs.   For example,  this week I added an additional 1K on to my run/jog/walk track and I felt more invigorated and joyous over the feat than I expected.  Feeling tired at the end of the 6K was a minor consideration, the surge of completion and a planned goal executed far outdistanced any feelings of exhaustion that may have been accompanying me home!

And Lent, let me not overlook Lent, and the extraordinary reality that a dedicated Lenten discipline adds to the festival of good news and Resurrection that I celebrate at Easter!  Easter comes with or without my study, reflection, contemplation and preparation but how much more meaningful that day of celebration is if I have prepared for it in advance!

Lastly, the similarities of physical/spiritual/and art execution narrowed for me in the last few days as I placed what I believed was an almost finished piece of art on to an easel for photographing it - oh my, forget it - the painting screamed at me, "I AM NOT DONE".  Now it was in some ways - "done enough" - but I knew that I could not in all good conscience hang it on a gallery wall for display.  Whether I liked it or not, there was more work to be done....and so the extra effort, the extra paint, the extra applications of layers will make the effort, like the additional 1K (each week) and the Lenten study leading to Easter, into  an invigorating and joyous completion!

So I ask you, in your art, in your physical and/or spiritual training, do you/have you gone the extra K, the extra dollop of application, the extra moments of reflection and contemplation?  Or do you just put in your time and go through the motions and think that that's enough? Are you the lazy triathlete?

Will you make a difference today?

"Will You Make a Difference Today?"

Mixed Media Paper Collage

Image 10.5" x 13.5" - w/Frame 16" x 20"

Some of you, like me, may be aware of and "practicing" a discipline during the 40 days of Lent.  Many folks turn their practice into a personal improvement program - which is certainly not a bad thing particularly if you're improving has something to do with your connection with "that" greater than yourself.  Myself, practically perfect already - mmmmm - am thinking in terms of that which I can "take on" rather than give up.  This world is full of tiny places and tiny cracks in its veneer that I as one small creature might be able to store up.  In that vein, I'm thinking this a.m. of what I can do in just an average day of my life during Lent.  How about you?  Any thoughts?  Perhaps --

-A smile to a receptionist/appointment booker whose face that reflects unhappiness?

-An open door for the person moving decidedly slower than you are but who could use some help with the door even if it means you'll be after them in the waiting line?

-While driving - a complete stop before the crosswalk that a mother and stroller have been patiently waiting in to cross the street?

-A donation to Mercy Corps to aid the Japanese in their tremendous burden of loss?

-A donation to Episcopal Relief and Development for their continuing efforts in Haiti?......how quickly we forget.

-A donation to Art for Life in their fight against cancer?

-A renewed membership in your local YWCA who in my hometown run a domestic violence shelter for women and children, as well as host a nursery school, and after school programs.

-A check to the political candidate of your choice as a sign of support from you for their supporting your rights as a citizen - particularly if you live in a country that does have elected political offices. 

-A heartfelt prayer for those people who don't worry about their blogs, their Facebook or Twitter accounts but worry about where they will sleep tonight or what they will feed their children.

-Read with a kid who could use a little help with their homework or their language skills.

I'm certain there are more things that you and I can do for someone else today to ease their burden, calm their fears, or just plain show them a friendly face - I'm in - how 'bout you?

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!

STOP - is that love or control you're seeking?

Image via Wikipedia

If you read yesterday's post here at the MindSieve, you'll know that I included some eclectic bits of reading from my Lenten studies.  Couldn't resist sharing just one more with you today.  It's from "Way of the Winding Path - A Map for the Labyrinth of Life" by Eve Eschner Hogan.

p. 43 - "Remember, our true essence is love.  The problem here isn't the love, but rather the need to love and be loved.  While our souls are love, our egos misconstrue this and interpret love as an ego need, instead of just who we are.  The ego thinks that in order to love, it must approve of someone else.  In order to approve of someone else, they must behave the way we want them to.  In order to get them to behave the way we want them to, we must control them.  Suddenly our soul's desire to be itself - love - is  showing up as a need to control others.  Likewise, the ego thinks that in order to be loved, it must be accepted and receive approval from others, thus being loved suddenly turns into a need for approval."

Eve's sentence regarding in order for us to love, we must first approve, i.e, change or control - was such a stop sign for me.  Isn't it the way I, maybe you,  make friends, view the news, critique our fellow citizens, try to change those we love into what we want, how we want them to behave, how we expect them to view the world?  If the opposing political party or my neighbor doesn't agree with me, it's easy, I don't have to love or even like them (as other children of God) I can just demonize them and make myself believe that everything they say is stupid, hypocritical, inane, not worthy of hearing!  So simple!  Oh, that we could just give each other a chance in this world to really, really listen without formulating our reply while the other speaks..........our reply about how our way is so much better!

How 'bout you?  Do you think, along with me, that by just suggesting how our friends, our spouses, significant others, and/or our political opponents should speak, believe, or act, will make these persons more lovable or even likeable to you?  Will we change them one bit?  As self-observers, do you or I think we might have just a few "control" issues that are speaking out, begging us to pay attention to our own selves rather than everyone elses' selves?

I think I have a control issue, I should say, I know I have a control issue.  Sometimes I seem to act as though I know how to do everything and that is so NOT true!  Any of that ever show up in your lives?

Holy Wednesday Reading

Holy Wednesday was started in a very comfortable way - and that was with a solid night's sleep preceding its dawning.  Amazing how the body craves and sometimes even demands something as basic as rest to clear one's head and heart for the day ahead!

It's now midday here and I spent the balance of the a.m., aside from my yoga class, in reading and reflection.  My readings today rather sum up this season of Lent for me, so far, as an eclectic journey  commencing with Ash Wednesday in Maui with lots of personal time for reading, reflection, and writing, through days back home active with an online Lenten Study from Abbey of the Arts, volunteer work at the YWCA, the Carnegie Board of Trustees, and mentoring; medical checkups, spiritual formation study, catching up at lunches and on long walks with friends, Bible study classes, and physical body workouts.  Some days I found scripture speaking directly at me and to me, other days more secular reading grabbed my attention in unexpected ways.  I've taken on an assignment from a Life Coach and observed my own behavior in myriad ways......an eclectic month interwoven into the journey through Lent.

And now this Holy Week and Wednesday to be specific, I've been prompted by various readings and resolutions to continue this up and down/higgeldy-piggeldy journey through until Easter morn.    Reminded by Thomas Merton "That Christ and angels walk among us, everywhere" - and more Merton - "Jesus saw that all things were good, and He did not enjoy them.  He saw that all things were beautiful and He did not want them.  His love is not like ours.  His love is unpossessive.  His love is pure because it needs nothing."  And by bloggers - friend Bruno's reflection re "They will know we are Christians", Barbara's post about "What Makes us Brothers and Sisters" - Christine Kane's secular post, but to an observing eye and reflective heart, not necessarily so secular, entitled The Nine Skills Every Woman Should Master.  And for VERY good measure, I visited The Country Parson today and read an extraordinarily mind-provoking post regarding "Reciprocity and Atonement."

For the rest of the day - I'll have to see what happens.  At 5:30 I'll be in St. Paul's again celebrating the eucharist with fellow Christians, some of whom I may suspect find this homestretch into Lent, one of challenge, relief, and expectation.  At 7:00 p.m., I'll be around a table with yet another group studying what Hebrews has to say to each of us and once more, I anticipate hearing questions and answers regarding the final days of this year's Lenten journey.

If you have a minute, I hope you'll check out some of the readings that I did today and if you're a participant in the celebration of Lent and Easter, I'd love to hear where you'll be for the next few days.

SS Collage - "A Look Within"

Capture

Still, silent in the moment as in anticipation of the prey

Feeling the breath - the in between time

Emptiness, expectation

Hope for capturing the moment

Living into the hush of the already past

Will I ever capture the silence

The meaning of the in-between

Will I ever capture myself

Painting - "Acrylic Quilt" by Dianna S. Woolley

Words from my Lenten journey

"Pilgrims are persons in motion - passing through territories not their own - seeking something we might call completion, or perhaps clarity will do as well, a goal which only the spirit's compass points the way."  - Richard Niebuhr, Pilgrims and Pioneers

Today as I sat quietly to pray and ponder, I read a couple of pages in *Eve Eschner Hogan's small book, entitled Way of the Winding Path: A Map for the Labyrinth of Life; it's where I came across the Niebuhr quote that stopped me to think about his words -

 

 Person in Motion

Person in motion, spirit-filled and joyful with the gift of creativity

 Knowing that what one thinks or creates matters in and of itself

Not necessarily of what others think or project on to one's art that matters  

Unique empowering feeling that thought brings

Even if one only tends to summon it upon occasion   

The Spirit's Compass

Where will the spirit's compass take me

To mingle with whom - perhaps angels or ancestors

Eager to show me the life-giving, well-trodden path

To wholeness of my own spirit mingled with that of the Holy

Where will the essence of the two spirits join

In prayer, in a stranger's eyes, at the easel

Where will I catch my breath

and know that my essence, my wholeness is Yours?

*More about Eve Eschner Hogan may be found at: The Sacred Gardens of Maui

Click the "unsubscribe" button

I've been involved with a rich online program of Lenten study this season that has taken me, so far, on a path of contemplative and centering prayer and meditation practices. Some of the self-awareness that has been stirring in me, through participating in this study, is in regard to how and why I spend time, where and when I do and for whom.  I believe in giving back to the community which so richly supports my life in this small town, so I am involved in community projects - occasionally, I feel overwhelmed and am tempted to throw up my hands and quit them all.  On the other hand, I gain much from outreach with fellow citizens and organizations and am blessed to share their dedicated service. 

Also as I support others, I am supported and strengthened spiritually by a wealth of blog and online friends that I might never meet or know in person.  Furthermore, childhood friends whose presence in my life is undeniably important to the person I am today, even family members that are not close by are met and interacted with through the wonderful internet communication opportunities that we have today.  I wouldn't give these opportunities up for anything.

Yet, while living this gift of life and gift of choice..... choices rich and varied - simple and complex, I realize there are those things in my life that draw me away from the importance of spiritual thanksgiving, prayer, meditation.  For example something as irrelevant to my existence as an email inbox is littered every day (and I do visit it every day, regularly) with offers and pleas from political entities, charitable organizations, marketing and merchandising ploys begging me to buy their goods - even a surfeit of spiritual offerings that is, at times, tiresome and overwhelming in their pleas for the "me now, most important, you can't live without this message" advertising.  I've built that inbox by allowing these day by day, step by step distractions to accumulate and populate my computer and thereby distract my mind often from that which is productive, positive, wholesome, and life-giving.

I spent some time this week scrolling to the bottom of senseless information crowding my space and head, searching out those little, teeny, tiny promises of not bothering me again, labeled "Unsubscribe" and clicking those buttons with fervor!  Often, a box appears with the question of why I am unsubscribing - I seldom write a reason but the explanation could be - "you're killing me with junk, I'm exhausted from reading your claims, your gripes, your guarantees.....etc. You're distracting me from time better spent with God, with my family, with my friends, with my writing, with my own creativity."

So, I guess my question to you today might be - what do you want to "unsubscribe" from?  What's draining your energy, your imagination, your time for family, prayer and meditation?  Why not join me today in finding that little "unsubscribe" button and clicking it..............