More on Self Care and Balance

Posted on July 26, 2020 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Good Evening, God

This illustration is from the book The Healer Within: Using Traditional Chinese Techniques to Release you Body’s Own Medicine, Movement, Massage, Meditation, Breathing. The Chinese culture is still very strong on this. I remember being out for a walk in China and having an older Chinese lady take me in hand to improve my posture and my walking. It was amazing how clearly gestures and tone of voice can communicate. It was kind of a shock . . . but how good to have strangers “care” . . .to be in a caring community.

As I continue to ponder how best to care for myself — I now understand that BALANCE is at the core. Physical balance as in using the small muscles that help us maintain our balance. To strengthen those muscles my wonderful husband Kit and I start physical therapy at the end of August. But balance is much more encompassing than that!

Balance is not so much a goal to be achieved — as it is an ongoing process of regaining balance. Just as a sailing ship is never “on course” but always striving to return to its course. Seeing it as an ongoing process and not a static goal really helps me. Another help is a dawning awareness that I want to fill my day with more than will fit. Finding balance — isn’t about doing it all. What a counter cultural concept!

Another “new” idea to me is that my Body deserves that same consideration that my beloved family does. So obvious — but again, so counter cultural. Letting go of the “warrior mindset” of take that hill — no matter the cost — is an ongoing struggle. But balancing Doing with Being is opening up a new universe.

And, that is why, God, it is so important for me to begin and end the day with You.

Tagged with: Balance, The Healer Within
Posted in Balance, being repotted, Being With, Centering Prayer, community, connecting, Prayer

Embracing Reality

Posted on July 25, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Evening, God

There are layers upon layers of Reality. Almost all of them beyond my ability to perceive — or comprehend. But, somehow that feels like what we are called to do. I marvel at what we as a species have been able to understand.

Mostly I enjoy learning. The trouble comes when I learn something about myself that I don’t like. Over the years I have gotten better about accepting that enhanced view of myself as valid –accepting, repenting, and making amends when I can. Seeing more complete view of myself quickly leads to humility. But, now — thank goodness — I have a fuller understanding of humility.

From a Mussar (Jewish spiritual practice) perspective, humility is not making oneself low or little. Instead, it’s about knowing one’s place in the world, taking up the appropriate space based on our situation and leaving room for others.

What are we called to be? What are we called to do? I love the story of Rabbi Zusya who on his deathbed said, “In the coming world, they will not ask me: ‘Why were you not Moses?’ They will ask me: ‘Why were you not Zusya?” It sounds simple. But, I am finding that being me, Margie, is not as easy as it sounds.

While writing this I asked myself what my aspirations are: A. Being curious — as in learning and then seeing possible patterns in what I have learned. B. Being compassionate — as in respecting and encouraging those within my sphere of connections. C. Being creative — as in, can I add to the beauty around me, can I create even a day that satisfies my innermost being.

It is fun to ponder these things. . . and to share them.

Posted in beauty, connecting, Creating, creativity in loving service, humility, Humility or Needing Help!, reality, self care as self compassion and humility, Sharing, the cold snow of reality, the joy of sharing

Suddenly Seeing — What’s Been There

Posted on July 24, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Evening, God

This is a close-up of Pink Tacoma blossoms. I’ve seen and enjoyed them for years. But, earlier this week I saw these trees on the eastern side of our valley. I saw them for the first time! I am sure they were there for years. And I thought that I had been looking at our valley carefully. But, suddenly, there they were!

I was delighted to suddenly SEE the trees. But, it made me aware of how easy it is to have “blind spots”. Things around us — that somehow we don’t notice. People we don’t notice. Injustices we don’t notice.

Now, I realize that it is impossible to actually take in the magnitude of data assailing us every nanosecond. Still, the sudden appearance of the Tacoma trees, reminds me to keep on scanning my environment . . . to make an effort to extend my focus. Actually, to vary my focus — close up on the blossoms and deeper focus for the sides of my valley.

On a deeper level, I want to be willing to try to step into another person’s reality. This is part of hearing a person — hearing and comprehending as best I can.

Also God, I want to be wiling to be surprised by new insights. That is happening as I continue using my Deep Time Walk app. This is the story of the transformation of our hot and rocky planet into a water planet full of life — over 4.6 billion years. I didn’t expect to be delighted by insights!

Posted in awareness, beauty, Choosing to respond, Compassion, connecting, Curiosity, delight, learning, seeing

Just Talking to Someone

Posted on July 23, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Evening, God!

The power of just talking to someone is amazing! This is the month — July — where I pledged to take “better” care of myself. Letʻs see . . . July 23 and nothing! But, I did share my desire with two dear friends this morning. The first one observed that “better” was pretty much open to various definitions. And she also observed that I have become increasingly goal oriented this last year. That was a surprise to me. But, I’m not arguing. Just pondering.

The second friend was my daughter Sandy. We were laughing together about my project and just what “better” might mean. Somehow in the talking I decided to ask my Body what she wanted. LESS!, she said. Less food and MORE water. That was a surprise! She didn’t mention fiber which I have increased — chia seed smoothies.

My Body also wanted more Flexibility Exercises. Marion’s Mindful Movement weekly exercises with the bamboo pole are really satisfying. So I will see about watching one of the old ones to review (and write down?) each move. And apparently, weights are o.k. but not as important as stretching.

At that point in the conversation my Mind said she wanted more time . . . like over and hour to just READ! And she meant non-fiction. The allure of fiction has dimmed since I swore off of it for the month of July. I want it

Now, all of this — which I need to post on my mirror — came about because I was talking to a trusted friend — or friend/daughter. I guess it is true: we External Processors don’t know what we are thinking until we hear ourselves say it.

My take away? I’ve already realized that I need to layer BEING (centering prayer and other style prayers) with DOING (getting things done, analyzing what needs doing, and what doesn’t need doing, too.) Now I WANT to layer in ASKING FOR HELP.

Posted in acknowledging my need for prayer, asking for help for myself, Centering Prayer, Communication, connecting, daughters, friends, Prayer, relationships

A Walk Through Time

Posted on July 22, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Evening, God

This image was from the Deep Time Walk people. That is an app for iPhone or iPad — and I have downloaded it. I chose not to actually walk . . . not during my wonderful husband Kitʻs birthday week . . . which is full. And I only got to 3600 MYA (Million Years Ago). I had hoped for images as shown in the image above. But so far only chatting and a good glossary. Still fascinating! AHA! I just saw that you can buy a set of 58 cards to get the images!

We have just gotten to the point where the scientist said that up to now (3600 MYA) the environment dictates to life. Life must accommodate to the environmental conditions. But, she said, we are coming to a point where Life will create the environment — or at least be a major influence on the environment. Hmm. We are now (2020 A.D./CBE) proof of that!

But, God, as I plod along gather shreds of information about the slow development of life, what strike me is Your Patience! Such a LONG TIME even to get the planet ready for one celled creatures! And then such complexity coming and then on occasion going. I must say, I am impressed we humans managed to sort out as much as we have.

Still, I can certainly understand why you gave us the “short” version in Genesis. Just the “headlines” so to speak. Because I may not have the patience to go through the 36 segments still ahead of me on the Deep Time Walk.

Years ago I tried to capture the slow nature of how You went about Building Complexity in a 3 minute video Star Dust. Three minutes! But, hey, I had fun. And I imagine the creators of Deep Time Walk had fun too.

Creating IS fun — a joy! And I think of it as calling forth all of our “best efforts” in a way similar to the efforts of dedicated athletes. A small example: our daughters worked together via phone yesterday to create a gift for Kit — and they told me there was a lot of laughter.

I like to think of You as laughing too.

Posted in Changing, connecting, Creating, creativity in loving service, Enjoyment, God's Time, growing toward up, JOY, Laughing, Laughter, slow incremental change, the joy of sharing, time, Unnoticed Changes

Comet over Stonehenge

Posted on July 21, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Evening, God

Ah, an image of a comet that only comes into view every 6,000 years or so, and Stonehenge which began to be created maybe 7,000 years ago. Apparently, the Salisbury Plain was considered to be a sacred area long before Stonehenge was begun. Itʻs fun to imagine the folks using Stonehenge 6,000 years ago gazing at this very comet.

Aah. Perspective! Or maybe I should just say TIME? I grew up, God, reading science fiction. The FUTURE came in so many shapes. It helped open my mind. And, a mind once expanded never goes willingly back into a box.

I used that as an explanation as to why I have such a loose grip on “What is Impossible.” Most folks seem to me to have a very tight grip on what they consider “Possible”…..and all else is “Impossibleʻ. It is very neat and tidy. But, it makes it so difficult to shift from one mental map to another.

Iʻm smiling! Iʻm sounding like a mental shape shifter. Sigh! I wish I were that elastic! Alas, enlarging my mental map — changing to an enlarged perspective on Reality — is slow, hard work.

But, it is work worth doing.

Tagged with: Neowise comet over Stonehenge, reality, Salisbuy Plain
Posted in growing toward up, Growth Opportunities, Perspective, perspectives, reality, the cold snow of reality, the Growth Mindset

Choosing Life

Posted on July 20, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Good Evening, God

This verse — spoken by Moses over 3,000 years ago — has been popping up in my heart for many months. WHY?

I see so many situations in which we as a Species seem to be choosing Death. Industrial Agriculture has been killing our soil for generations. It took a book by Vandana Shiva to open my eyes! The incredible number and complexity of microbial life plus earthworms and bugs cannot live in the ongoing baths of herbicides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizer. This dead soil currently is unable to absorb and hold that water and carbon that it was designed to hold.

Sigh. And the runoffs from these toxins are flowing downstream and creating a Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico isn’t the only dead zone. Although these dead zone are primarily in the summer they have long term effects on the entire area.

But, the Good News is that there ARE things that can be done to reduce the seasonal dead zone. After all, God, I want to focus on LIFE.

Still, I do wonder WHY there is not a more concerted effort to turn privately held farms toward regenerative agriculture — toward LIFE. But, there are signs of hope. The Nature Conservancy seems to be stepping up to the challenge. And I just found a new non-profit called Kiss the Ground which is raising money to transition 5,000 farmers to regenerative agriculture and to train 25,000 leaders!

So, I am feeling better, God! I am seeing hope coming! I am turning my head to look toward Life! And I am pledging a donation to Kiss the Ground!

Tagged with: healthy soil as key to a healthy planet, helping our climate, regenerative agriculture, saving the soil
Posted in a hand up, Abundant Life, an invitation to abundant life, growing toward up, LOVE, The daily details of love, the gift of persistent love, water and love, web of life

Historical Perspective on Pandemics

Posted on July 19, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Day, God

I’ve stumbled upon a fascinating site: The Visual Capitalist. This map of pandemics was eye opening! Let me start with the first one — the Bubonic plagues of 1347 -1351. Two hundred million people died. But, to understand that number I had to find an estimate of the world population at that time. It was estimated to be .35 – .4 billion. This wiped out 30-50% of Europe’s population…taking 200 years to recover.

The 1918 pandemic (the green one) killed 40-50 million people at a time (1900) the world population was 1.56 – 1.71 billion.

The Hong Kong Flu of 1968-70 was estimated to have killed a bit over 1 million people. The population of our planet in 1970 was 3.684 billion.

Today COVID-19 (bottom row, third from left) has killed 602,132 and the population of our planet is 7.794 billion. Now, I realize that our current pandemic is not done. It may reach one million — or not. I surely, pray that it won’t.

But seeing this graphic has certainly made me THINK!

Tagged with: Pandemics in history, past pandemics
Posted in a prayer for healing, complexity, connecting, Expand my Heart, hope, Hope as a gift from God, Perspective, perspectives

Together in Centering Prayer

Posted on July 18, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Evening, God

What an incredible morning — our monthly Morning of Prayer! A gathering via Zoom of people from several islands — Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Australia. (Anyone who wants more information can go to Contemplative Outreach of Hawaii and sign up for the monthly newsletter and links to ongoing Centering Groups.

Gathering together to sit in silence. Gathering together to sit in Centering Prayer. Gathering together to consent to Your Indwelling Spirits presence and action within us. Actually, one 20 minute period is devoted to Welcoming You.

I was struck, God, by how YOU the omnipresent and all powerful seem to want to be ASKED to come into our very innermost beings. Just as Jesus tells us in Revelations 3:20, “I stand at the door and knock . . “. I never cease to marvel at Your restraint and gentleness. Waiting for us to dimly sense we are missing something essential.

Just a fun aside, I think of the line in My Fair Lady where Alfred P. Doolittle tells the professor, “I’m willing to tell you; I’m wanting to tell you; I’m waiting to tell you.” That feels like what Your Holy Spirit might be saying!

In Centering Prayer each participant is encouraged to pick a “sacred word” — an ordinary word that is deemed sacred because it is a symbol of our intention to consent to the presence and action of Your Indwelling Spirit within us. And, when our minds wander off into fascinating or frightening thoughts, we are encouraged to gently return to the sacred word.

The point isn’t that we wander. The point is that we are welcomed back. It is the inverse of the way we have been raised. We do not lose points for losing focus. We are given points for returning! Of course! Little children learning to walk fall down. The joy is in their getting up and trying again.

Posted in an invitation to abundant life, being together in a compassionate presence, Being With, Belonging to each other, blooming, Centering Prayer, connecting, Prayer, praying, the JOY of praying together

Free Webinar on Mental Health from HIM July 23-25

Posted on July 16, 2020 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

FREE WEBINAR WILL ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH DURING COVID

Hawaiian Islands Ministries’ Mental Health webinar, July 23, 24, and 25, will offer help for the continuing emotional and mental impact of COVID-19 on our families and community.

The 3-day webinar will feature psychologist Dr. Matt Stanford, CEO of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute in Houston, TX. A panel of mental health professionals will join Dr. Stanford to field questions each day.

Thursday, July 23, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Session 1: Are We Okay? Mental Health and Coping During and After a Pandemic

Friday, July 24, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Session 2: Am I or Someone Dear to Me Depressed?

Saturday, July 25, 9 am to 12 noon
Session 3: Post Traumatic Stress Can Happen to Anyone
Session 4: Learning a New Normal: What We Can Do Now

HIM co-founder Dan Chun says the timing is perfect. “We had scheduled the mental health conference before COVID-19 was even in our vocabulary. Now, it’s an ongoing reality that is not going away. All of us need help.”

This free webinar is open to “anyone who provides help, wants to help or seeks help.” It is appropriate for all ages. For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.himonline.org/mentalhealth

Posted in accepting my need for help, asking for help for myself, healing, health, Help me to see, Humility or Needing Help!