What's something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail. Failure is a part of living. Almost anything we try has the potential to disappoint us and others. Failure is the great teacher. Failure teaches the lessons that success almost never does. The lessons that failure teaches me remain with me more intensely … Continue reading My Teacher, Failure
Who are your favorite artists? One of my graduate school requirements was to take an art class (yes, in seminary!). In the first class, I remember vividly the professor, herself an artist, said to us: Everyone is an artist. Then she looked carefully around the room, meeting each set of eyes, saying, “Yes, you are … Continue reading Everyone An Artist
What would you do if you lost all your possessions? I find these hypothetical questions challenging and interesting. Since my answer is conceptual, I am only imagining how I would be impacted by losing all possessions. Writing about this question has invited deep self-reflection. I discovered some attachments I did not want to admit. Here … Continue reading Stuff: A Slippery Slope
What's your #1 priority tomorrow? A cheery smile greets me as I arrive. “Today is my name,” they say with a hopeful, helpful smile. “I’m here to see Tomorrow,” I say. Looking a bit bewildered but still smiling, Today says, “There is no one here by that name.” “Wait. Let me see Yesterday then. Yesterday, … Continue reading No One Here By That Name
In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled? Admittedly, my first inclination was to interpret this as physical labor; physical labor is hard work. After reflecting, I am willing to see hard work includes any work in which someone can fully engage themselves. Practice makes the work easier but any work might be … Continue reading Working Hard
The truth in this startles once again: Unsought, what I need arises.Unbidden, this moment comes. Each new moment arising in my life offer to teach me something. Sometimes it seems as if the Universe is saying almost imperceptibly, “Here I am.” The Sugar Maple waves.Then stilling, she becomes my meditation guide. I watch the Sugar … Continue reading Unsought, What I Need Arises
The sun is passing directly over the equator today. The length of the day will be roughly equal in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the North we are passing out of summer into fall and winter. In the South, it is passing from winter to spring and summer. Nature gives me pause in its … Continue reading Autumnal Equinox.
Which topics would you like to be more informed about? I have been “jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none” kind of person most of my life. Acquiring new and varying information gave me a sense of pride. If this question had been asked of me ten years ago, my answer would have been, “Why limit me to a few … Continue reading Information Overload!
Describe your ideal week. I think my ideal week defies moment-by-moment description. No particular event has to happen to make my week ideal. I will note that there are some components that would make any week ideal for me. Presence. I want to “be there” in each moment of my week as it unfolds. I … Continue reading Non-Specific “Ideal” Weeks
There is something beautiful and pristine about the pre-dawn morning. I sit in the silence of this space, hearing sounds that are drown during louder parts of the day. My heartbeat is louder, more easily identified. The day is beginning and I feel unrushed which is a feeling unlike much of the rest of the … Continue reading Sunday Musings
Infinitely Precious 