Connections over Time and Space and a Call to TURN

Posted on May 15, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

silhouette of a celtic cross in the monastery grounds at Glendalough, Ireland

Good Morning God,

I must confess I was going to post a photo of flowers and chat about how I wanted to buy some flowers for my car port garden. But my heart is full of Our Need for HEALING.

Hmm. Are You asking if there is also a DESIRE for Healing? I feel as if You are pointing out that mostly our idea of healing is that we should just not hurt.

Well, yes. Not hurting — not being in pain — that’s a good start, God.

Only, not hurting — not feeling pain and thus not noticing problems — is part of why diabetics let foot infections go too far. Paul Brand, a hand surgeon and leprosy specialist, wrote a book about the usefulness of pain. It’s called, Pain: the Gift Nobody Wants.

And in leprosy — having the nerves to the extremities die — the patient can’t feel pain enough to protect him or herself. Sigh. O.K. God, pain isn’t the problem — pain is the symptom.

And pain isn’t just of the Body, it is also of the Heart. True Prayer is for the Mind to descend into the Heart and there behold the Face of God. So, help me here, God. What sort of healing DO we need?

Boy, this is HARD, God! I wish I’d gone for the flowers. OK . . . OK: we need to be healed of the idea that we are ONE PERSON — able to do just what we want — with no responsibilities toward YOU, or Family or Community, or Cosmos.

“To those much has been given, from them much is required.” Only, I am pretty sure You are taking this verse UP several notches. I hear vague whispers about INTERCONNECTEDNESS.

A CALL TO TURN?

Posted in a prayer for healing, asking for and accepting forgiveness, connecting, connections, Heal Us Now, healing, Prayer, responsibility, Uncategorized

Rest, Rejoicing, and Colored Celtic Crosses

Posted on May 14, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

St. Kevin's cell area in Glendalough, Ireland (Glendaloch is how it sounds)

Good Day, God!

Time Zones have caught up with me. Yesterday I was rushing out of the house when I heard Diana’s voice calling. I FORGOT it was Thursday with my standing 6:30 a.m. walk date with her. That was distressing!

Perhaps I picked this photo for its very high relaxation quotient. I notice that I now tend to drive the most relaxing route. Yesterday I rejected making a left turn on to Kalanianaole and drove through the shopping center parking lot. Smart. Especially smart when my reflexes and brain are somewhere over the Atlantic — maybe next week I’ll be over the Pacific.

Aside from wobbling a bit on the day of the week — I have been productive — without rushing. And, today will be relaxed and pleasant — with time to pray — time to center — to rejoice.

a colored celtic cross -- what they would have looked like

And, thank You God for letting me look back in TIME and see that the crosses in St. Kevin’s cell would have been JOYFUL!

How did we forget that? How did we get the idea that You wanted us to be serious and somber. After all, Jesus was called a wine bibber and a glutton. Not that he was. But, he must have been upsetting that idea.

So, here I am, God! Ready for my day. Help me remember that You made this World and called it GOOD! You made it FULL OF COLOR! Full of colorful people and Full of Kindness.

Praise YOU! Thank You for this GIFT of a New Day!

Help me to use it wisely — and to REJOICE IN IT!

Posted in adjusting, Colors, JOY, recovery time, rejoicing, relaxation, the waiting cross, time

The Irish Pikemen of 1798 and before . . .

Posted on May 13, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A statue honoring the Pikemen of the rebellion of 1798 in Wexford, Ireland

Good Morning, God!

This statue honoring the pikemen who fought and died in the rebellion of 1798 has stayed in my mind — or should I say it keeps coming up. Standing there, looking at it, I was impressed with the bravery of the farmers going up against armed soldiers with pikes. Then, say a week later, I thought — HOW DUMB WAS THAT! As I confessed, God, my Left Brain was really judgmental.

Then I thought, hmmm, maybe I should read more about this rebellion. Sigh. It was a case of good intentions having the opposite of the effect that was intended. (Jay Forrester’s rule: In a complex system you almost always get the opposite of what you intend.)

The United Irishmen (Catholics and Protestants and Dissenters) was founded in 1791 to remove English control of Irish affairs. They were big fans of the French Revolution — which made the English nervous — and then repressive. It went from bad to worse and the French sent 14,000 soldier to invade Ireland in 1796 but bad weather kept them from landing. That meant MORE vicious suppression and informants and spies everywhere. Most important the rebells had no good way to communicate. Hard to plan a revolt without secure communications.

So, God, there I was JUDGING without full (any?) information. The rural rebellions were meant to be secondary to the rebellion in Dublin. But Dublin didn’t rise. So the rural men were all there was. And the capricious and cruel punishments of ordinary people left the farmers feeling as if they had no options.

Now, God. Are You thinking, where are you going with this? I am. Sigh. I guess making people AFRAID is not a good long term way to get them to do what you want. Except, if you get them to be afraid of someone outside . . .

Will we ever be smart enough to manage to live together in peace — with mutual respect — or at least forbearance? Oh? Not SMART . . . more MATURE! Will we ask for Your Help in becoming Mature?

Will I ASK? Will I RESPOND? Do I even have a good definition of MATURE? Ah, yes, if I listen to You.

Posted in a prayer for healing, asking for help for myself, courage, fears, growing toward up, Humility or Needing Help!, processing on deeper levels, responding to God's Spirit

Lamp poles and Life’s Layers and Mental Maps

Posted on May 12, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Lamp pole in Dublin

Good Day, God!

I love this photo. I love the swirls of the lamp post which seem to say Isn’t THIS FUN! A joyful lamp post? Well, I feel joyful looking at it. Then on the left are the unstructured leafings of the tree’s branches. Perhaps there is a structure there and it just looks random to me because I don’t understand. I am sure that happens a lot!

Another thing I like, God, is the letter in the sky behind the trunk of the pole. It is a reflection from the big letters on the front of the bus, reflected on my window as I take the photo through it. Layer upon layer — I like that.

Yesterday was a good day — after pondering the importance of actually responding to Your Nudges — I actually did that. I had just finished depositing my check when I felt the nudge to call a friend and see if we could get together. There was a brief moment when I thought about all the things I planned to DO upon my return home. They tugged a bit.

But then I called — and amazingly my friend was free. Being RESPONSIVE feels so good, God, that I wonder why I don’t do it more often. Is it that I forget?Or is it that my Mental Map is inadequate?

I am hearing You say that it is OK that my mental map isn’t as good as it is going to get. Remapping is part of living. Just like making “mistakes” is part of living. Life is, in short, a lot of layers piled up and up. And I am trusting YOU, God that it is all right not to understand it all. I’m just to keep on sorting out, digesting and integrating my experiences as best I can.

That is a JOYFUL note on which to start my day! Thanks!

Posted in complexity, JOY, layer upon layer, responding to "nudges", responding to God's Spirit

My Day as a Garden, Earth as God’s Garden

Posted on May 11, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

garden gate in Phoenix Park, Dublin

Good Morning, God!

I am still so thankful — make that THANKFUL — to be home, God. I had 11 hours of sleep the first night home and am functioning pretty well. Back on my “right eating” plan after ENJOYING the whole grain soda bread and the butter of Ireland.

Ah, but home involves VEGETABLES — three every night for dinner. Hard to beat vegetables — I only wish mine were from my own garden. Hmmm. OK, You’re right, God. I would probably only enjoy that if I had a gardener. For all my talk of closeness to the earth — a pot of oregano and pots of palms and anthuriums are pretty much it for me.

Still, there is something so delightful about gardens — walled gardens, especially. I love doors — how much better a garden gate.

It’s fun to think of Each DAY as like a walled garden. We enter it and it is ours. We can plant new activities in it — or perhaps work on weeding out old dead wood — old habits and old thought patterns. I like that idea, God.

And I like the idea that we can walk with You in our garden — Adam and Eve may have been removed — but You still long to commune with us. It isn’t a matter of being Worthy — more a matter of being WILLING.

And I am beginning to understand that means Willing not just in theory but in responsiveness. Letting You guide my eating and my sleeping — and nudging me toward reaching out to affirm my fellow children. You have given me such a good home and such good friends and family. How can I not affirm?

Hmm. Easy enough when I am too busy — think I’ll STOP for a rest! Thank You for inviting us in to Your Garden, Earth.

Posted in appreciation, responding to God's Spirit, responsibility, stopping, thankfulness, Thanksgiving!

The road less taken — to understanding and peace

Posted on May 10, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

a road in Ireland - the road less taken - the road to understanding?

Good Morning, God

We were in Ireland for almost two weeks and I’m still gathering my impressions and thoughts and trying to sort things out.

Right at the moment, God, I’m thinking that there really are always two sides. It is so easy to “take sides” and conclude that This Side or That Side is RIGHT.

Yes, I KNOW that I’ve known that for a long time, God. But I EXPERIENCED it in Ireland. And THAT changes everything. I went over feeling that the Irish had been wronged by the invading English. I guess I was thinking that THEREFORE they were right and the English Imperialists were wrong. I guess I had made that ALL right and ALL wrong.

But, then, just tonight I remembered what Darien, our tour director, had said about how long it was that it was illegal to buy contraceptives in Ireland — at least into the 1970s or was it 1990s?. And I thought, SHOOT, I would have wanted to be part of Great Britain! I would not have wanted to be forced to join Ireland and not be free to exercise my beliefs.

Then too, I realized that I am not nearly as Right Brained as I thought I was. The rebellion of 1798 involved PIKES! Pikes against guns. Who was in charge of THAT ONE! So, I found my Left Brain making judgments — as the Left Brain is so good at doing. Now, it is so easy to leave it there. And I fear most of the time I do.

But our tour director also talked about the months and years of negotiations that both sides had undertaken in Northern Ireland. That’s HARD work. I always think of that as begun by mothers. Indeed, I just read, God, that Betty Williams started a March for Peace after she witnessed the deaths of three children hit by a car driven by an IRA man shot by the police. She and Mairead Corrigan won the Noble Peace Prize for their work in 1976.

Ah, God, help me stop judging and work on understanding. Please, God, take away the certainty that I am ALL RIGHT. And help me not just SEE but FEEL the “other sides”. To HEAR without judging — ah, that is the True Work of the Heart.

Posted in acknowledging another's existence, being together in a compassionate presence, humility, Peace

Sounding the Trumpets of Thanksgiving, then Seeking Attunement

Posted on May 9, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

looking out one of the doors of the Boston Public Library at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Good MORNING God!

HOME! Ta Da! Sound the TRUMPETS! I am PRAISING YOU, GOD, with cymbals and trumpets and hosannahs — albeit, silently, as the neighbors are asleep.

Kit is running the Bill Beauchamp 10k this morning while I will do laundry and perhaps jog? One thing I know, God, is how good it is to BE OUTDOORS.

There is nothing like being on planes for hours and hours to make one aware of how good it is to be outdoors — breathing fresh air — seeing green growing things. We have lost our primal connection with nature, haven’t we, God.

In Ireland 40 percent of the population is engaged in farming. In the EU the farmers are protected. It is not, of course, an easy life — but it strikes me as a deeply connected life. It is a life in which the Body takes an essential / needed role in the production of the food it requires.

This photo, looking out of the Library and at the Church brings together two foundation pillars of civilization — both of whom have failed to give our bodies their due. Is that a little harsh, God? I don’t mean it as harsh. In fact, I didn’t even mean to say it. It came as a surprise to me.

Perhaps it would be more helpful to say that the BALANCING of mind, body and heart is CHALLENGING! Sigh. Impossible without Your help? Impossible without our attunement to Your Holy Spirit?

Attunement is defined as a harmonious or responsive relationship. Ahaa, God! I WANT THAT WITH YOU!

I want that FIRST and FOREMOST — and then let all the rest flow out of that — flow out into this Beloved World.

Posted in Abundant Life, appreciation, asking for help for myself, attunement, Balancing and adjustments, Choosing to respond, clapping our hands in joy, Praise, Thanksgiving!

Spring, Swan Boats and Stepping out of Social Norms

Posted on May 8, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Swan Boat and swan on the Boston Garden pond

Good Day, God!

And it was a very good day! We had a day’s rest here in Boston to break up the long flight back from Ireland. The sun was shining brightly. The temperature was in the low 70’s and we meandered through downtown Boston with me taking lots of photos.

We even took a trip on one of the Swan Boats that are peddled around the pond in the Boston Garden. How good it was to listen to the parents narrating the trip to their little children! Oh! How good it would be if all children had parents to take them on outings and lovingly describe the event.

a very little girl on McCloskey's mother duck

Actually, just being able to be outside in the sunlight noticing the trees and tulips and even rhododendrons was a JOY! Hearing and seeing the doting parents was an extra.
Of course, the children were another delight.

Seeing this little girl on the statue of the mother duck reminded me of reading McCloskey’s story Make Way for Ducklings to our girls. Such happy memories, God.

Thank You! Thank You for such a good life! I have been so blessed! And I remember C.S. Lewis’s comments about how much is a matter of good digestion — as opposed to spiritual gifting.

So, God, a prayer for the young man begging in the park. There was such pain in his eyes. I felt as if I ought to have gone back and asked if I could pray for him. Well, yes. I should have. He could have said no if he didn’t want that. It is just that is SO OUTSIDE of normal behavior!

Again, a case of our being constrained by “politeness” or social norms! Gosh, God. I am not sure if I want to ask You to set me free from those. Hmmm. Well, how about we lessen them a bit? Or is it more a matter of putting YOU FIRST? Politeness as a god before You? OUCH!

Yes, I need Your Help! Please!

Posted in a hand up, a series of molts and upgrades, acknowledging another's existence, asking for help for myself, courage, developing helpful definitions of love, fears, gratitude, thankfulness

Iron Bars at Work and Play

Posted on May 7, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

a locked gate to a private park in Dublin

Good Day, God!

And it IS a good day that saw the airspace open over Ireland so we could fly back to Boston. I had no idea that I was taking the idea of being able to fly so for granted. Who would have imagined it could be so off again, on again!

So THANK YOU! Perhaps I picked this photo of a locked gate because I felt so locked in, yesterday. My travel meter had expired. I wanted to go home. I surely didn’t want to hear that the airspace (a term I’d never heard until April) had been closed.

Dublin has so many lovely public parks that it was sort of a shock to find this private part that belonged to the people owning the house on the square around it. FitzWilliam Square?

But, come to think of it, even the public parks are locked up for the night. Kit went to go running in St. Stephen’s Square and it was closed up tight until 9 a.m. Perhaps that is to keep the homeless from setting up bowers in the parks? Sigh. We didn’t see many homeless in Ireland — but we did see some.

Ireland has 300,000 unoccupied houses — they really rode their boom all the way up! And now that it has crashed they have a glut of houses. I think they have a National Assets Management Corporation that is trying to figure out what to do with them. How are we to use our resources, God?

I really think everyone should work — doing something useful or helpful or even just entertaining. It is sad when people can’t work (drugs, mental illness, ?) Being part of a meaningful group is so important. We are social beings, aren’t we. And I do think we have a NEED for MEANiNG.

window grating in the Dublin Castle grounds

Ah, I am on my way back home — back to my really quite delightful life. I have to get back in shape but that doesn’t need to be a heavy thing.

It is true, I am always wanting to get myself better organized and my paperwork under control

But, God, with Your help I don’t need to take a Locked Gate approach.

Instead I can relax and laugh and do it all in a spirit of play — just like these happy circles are getting the job of being a grate done — with elan. RIGHT!

Posted in an invitation to abundant life, authority over my life, Balancing and adjustments, becoming the change I wish to see, JOY, Play

Dublin Castle, Mazes, and Making Choices

Posted on May 5, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

a lawn inside Dublin Castle grounds -- with a pattern to walk?

Here I am again, God

This afternoon, I stood inside the Dublin Castle looking at this lovely green lawn with the brickwork pattern laid out in it. I could see that some “paths” came to a deadend, but I wasn’t quite high enough to see if there was a way to successfully complete the circuit.

It looked inviting — and there weren’t any signs saying STAY OFF THE GRASS — but years of seeing such signs took their toll.

We are such conditioned creatures, God. You tell us that we HAVE BEEN SET FREE, but I am pretty sure that I do not yet understand that statement. I smiled, God, as I put in the word YET. But, audacious as it sounds, I feel as if I will come closer to understanding what FREE means.

a "king's" head to the left of one of the castle doors

I saw this face and was drawn to it. To me this is the face of a man who bears heavy burdens — who carries huge responsibilities. It doesn’t look like it has been easy.

It is tempting to think that given “kingly” power and wealth we would be really free. But the scripture I remember from Sundays in the Episcopal Church is “Those to whom much is given, from them, much is required”.

Then there is the whole question of the freedom to choose. When we have more money and power, or more money and time — we have more freedom to choose. But all choices have consequences. This man has made hard choices — undoubtedly some bad choices.

Ah, God, free doesn’t mean easy and it doesn’t mean being right. I suppose free means we have been given responsibility for ourself and as in the case of this king — sometimes for others.

So “being free” and having the courage to exercise and use that freedom are two different things. Courage and faith?

Sigh, it seems to me, God, that I have faith that You will point out my mistakes. And I have faith that You will help me ask You and others for forgiveness. Ah, but faith that I can exercise my freedom without mistakes and pain and failures? That seems to me more foolish than faithful. But it does bring me to YOU asking for help.

Posted in accepting my need for help, choices, courage, freedom, responsibility