ART BEFORE BREAKFAST

Posted on May 24, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

ART Before Breakfast by Danny Gregory

Good Day, God!

Sometimes I just read the first few pages of a book and go WOW! And that is exactly what happened this morning with Art Before Breakfast!

My takeaway? Even 5 minutes of doing ART pulls us our of our normal BUSY time and into that NON TIME that the Greeks called Kairos but I like to think of as Your Time, God.

Of course, the trick is to be MAKING something instead of making SOMETHING!

Over focusing on products and outcomes can interfere with the JOY and TIMELESSNESS of creating. Of course, as a lover of the Material World, I know that producting has its own joys.

Anyway, this book — which I bought to give away — has an inspiring idea or suggestion on every page. Every page! And, because Danny is using drawings to illustrate each idea — each idea is CLEAR and memorable! I find that in normal books there are too many ideas on a page and it is way too easy for me to loose the good ones in the constant flow of words.

Hmm. I am ONCE AGAIN aware that I much prefer the search for new — even better — ideas — to the rather tedious effort of USING the ideas I already have. So, I am going to STOP and DRAW.

FUN! And not just fun — it was ENERGIZING! I started with a starfish and then drew it again as I would make it into a piece of jewelry. And then BAM BAM — more ideas on what I want to do in my jewelry making class this week. Better yet, they are captured in a new small notebook.

Then I went and cleaned out another kitchen drawer! So many small and humble types of creativity! I’m thankful, God!

Tagged with: Art, creating, focus, FUN, Kairos, out-of-time, re-energizing
Posted in Art, Books, connecting, Creating, Energy, JOY, Kairos

Healing . . . entering into God’s Time

Posted on May 14, 2015 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Sunset at the Halekulani

Good Evening, God!

This was where my wonderful husband Kit took me for Mother’s Day dinner in Waikiki. It has got to be one of the most beautiful spots on the island!

I confess, God, that I haven’t quite gotten used to Kit’s now remembering important dates. Without a word or hint he made reservations and bought a lei.

Hmm. Well, yes, God, I might have noticed this earlier if I had refrained from hinting and announcing upcoming dates.

I’ve stopped hinting — OK, prodding — because now I really enjoy dinners at home. We look out from our dining area on an expansive green of park/school grounds. And while we don’t get sunsets on the water, we do get green grass and the slow fading of the sky into dusk.

Going Out and Doing are fun. But, Rest and Relaxation are healing. I keep thinking that a few moments of rest here and there are enough for my parasympathetic nervous system to do its cleanup and healing work. Alas, no. It needs TIME. It needs good deep sleep at night and periods of relaxed time during the day.

The Mother’s Day dinner was certainly relaxing. But what I need now, God, are long periods of puttering without goals — and without a desire to zip on to the Next Thing.

The lines of William Blake come to me:

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

Ah, to have Time slow down . . . to enter . . . into Your Time, God. That is Healing.

Tagged with: healing, rest, slowing, sunset, time, Timelessness, Waikiki beach
Posted in connecting, healing, health, relaxation, rest

Home, Sweet Home!

Posted on May 3, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A small shell from the State Beach on Martha’s Vineyard

Good Evening, God!

My wonderful husband Kit and I have spent (invested) our day curled up at home. Snug. Relaxed. Happy. We have not gone out. We have not worked. Well, I have sort of puttered. But, slowly. And only intermittently.

There is a lovely quote from George MacDonald about how “Work is not always required of us. There is such a thing as sacred idleness which is now fearfully neglected.” If that was true in MacDonald’s time, which had a legally enforced Sabbath — blue laws requiring stores to be closed on Sunday — how much more true it is Today with our 24/7 lifestyle! Yikes!

The trouble is, God, that busy is sort of addictive. Being busy makes us feel as if we matter. As if the world — or at least our local part of it — can’t do without us.

We DO matter, God! We matter to You! And we must matter to ourselves as well. Matter just as we are . . . not as we might become if we only work harder, learn more, earn more, do more.

Hmm. Your message of LOVE is far more counter-cultural than I let myself realize. WOW!

The interesting thing is, God, that scientific studies show that when we practice Self-Compassion (loving and respecting ourselves), we do better. We do everything better! Well, of course YOU know that. That’s why You said that we are to Love our Neighbor AS we Love Ourselves!

But, of course, I am having to redefine what LOVE means to me . . . undoing the World’s definition that Love is GIFTS, TREATS, ADVENTURES, and CONSUMING.

To me, Love is often just Time Together, as when Kit went with me looking for shells. This shell is far more precious for my finding it with him. Time with loved ones . . . time with You . . . that’s LOVE!

Tagged with: letting God love us, Love, loving ourselves, redefining, self-compassion, time together
Posted in busy, connecting, LOVE, loving myself, putting down daily diversions, recovery time, time

Traveling — with Help!

Posted on April 29, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Martha’s Vineyard and Wood’s Hole

Good Evening, God!

My wonderful husband Kit and I were happily reminiscing about the difficulties of traveling BEFORE our iPhones and the Google Maps app. I was remembering how often I gnashed my teeth . . . and let out a few choice words . . . really upset as Kit ignored my navigational instructions.

No no, he’d say . . . I remember that we turn left . . . but, of course (well MOSTLY) the map and I were right. Sigh. Those bad old days.

Now, — instead of me — a lovely — and better yet, an unflappable — woman’s voice on Google Maps gives impeccable directions. I admit it. She is WAY better than I ever was.

She deserves, and gets, Kit’s respect — and mine too. We love her!

Now, all I have to do is put in our destination . . . and The Google Maps Gal does the rest. Mind You, God, entering the right destination isn’t always as easy as it sounds!

This morning on Martha’s Vineyard I confidently put in “Steamship Authority” and off we went. But, when we arrived at the Oaks Bluff Steamship Authority it was CLOSED. Thankfully, there was a sign on the door saying use the steamship authority at Vineyard Haven Harbor. OK! I reentered our destination and we followed the directions with only one wrong turn. We got our car in line and WHAT? They wouldn’t take our TICKET??? We had changed our departure date and no one had mentioned I needed to get our ticket reissued!

Kit and the car were allowed on the ferry. I was sent off to the ticket office! I gave our by now memorized confirmation number — and $10 for having changed dates THREE times — and I boarded the ferry and — with a little more — help from the crew found Kit and our car! We still need human help — and Your Help too, God! Thanks!

Tagged with: asking for help, Destinations, Ferry Boats, Google Maps, Martha's Vineyard, needing help, traveling
Posted in connecting

The Delight of Total Relaxation

Posted on April 26, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

South Beach on Martha’s Vineyard

Good Evening, God!

Finally, I have enough energy to write. Kit and I have been telling You how thankful we are. But, sitting down to actually write You requires more serious energy.

The Boston Marathon is over . . . with Kit sitting it out due to a virus that hung on. There isn’t another marathon looming until December! I’m really THANKFUL!

Here on Cape Cod we had a lovely luncheon visit with a dear high school friend and several delightful visits and meals with our grandson Mark. And since Mark is at Woods Hole — down at the south end of Cape Cod — it seemed only sensible to catch the ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard. Something I’ve wanted to do for years.

This is the off season and there is something amazingly relaxing about Very Few People. So this is a real vacation. We have been relaxing . . . doing very little . . . broken up by a walk on South Beach . . . and a drive up to Joseph Sylvia State Beach so I could pick up more shells. The maintenance guys who came to our hotel room to fix our noisy (vibrating) heater saw my shells and recommended the State Beach for a lot more shells! They were right! I could have loaded up shells with a shovel. I guess I might have done that if I’d had a bag and a shovel.

Ah, God! Picking up shells — one by one — on an empty beach is so relaxing! Even just remembering doing it . . . relaxes me.

As I write this I can see that 20 minutes a day of Centering Prayer is not enough to reset my busy metronome. Yes, God. Recovering from Seasons of Stress takes time and sensible scheduling. Well, three nights here at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort is a very good start! Now, off to bed!

Tagged with: Martha's Vineyard, relaxation, Slowing Down, Smart Planning, Stress Recovery
Posted in accepting my authority to set limits, authority over my life, relaxation, rest

A Very Wise Decision

Posted on April 19, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Kit’s sitting this Boston Marathon out . . . virus continues to hold on to him

Good Day, God!

And it IS a Good Day! That’s because my wonderful husband, Kit, decided — without my iurging — that he still wasn’t over his virus and that it would be smart not to run this year’s Boston Marathon. The fact that cold rain and winds were expected made it seem even clearer.

I was SO impressed! Not that Kit isn’t “smart” BUT, he is a Competitive Male!!! Not running was a hard, painful decision.

He looks happy here mostly because we were on our way to pick up his running number and he was still hoping You would perform a miraculous healing. He said wistfully, “Maybe God will drop down a tablet saying, ‘Kit you can run!'” I said,” if that happens God better show me that tablet, too!”

It’s important to remember, God, that we are blessed. Blessed with all the good family and friends in our lives — all the good fortune and good times — and blessed with each other. It does seem that asking for a miraculous healing is pushing it.

Of course, God, I still have a slight worry that Kit MIGHT wake up feeling great and decide to go for it. Kind of like the old fire horse hearing the fire bell and galloping off. So, please, God, no miraculous healing tonight!

Miraculous healing is a wonderful thing . . . and as You know . . . I have a nice list for You of folks that really NEED healing. Meanwhile, thank You God for the joy of being here . . . in Boston . . . on Planet Earth . . . with each other.

Tagged with: gratitude, hard decisions
Posted in Abundant Life, Boston Marathon, connecting, healing, running, wisdom

Once more — into Your Hands

Posted on April 14, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Evening, God!

Ambiguity and uncertainty are always with us, but, usually I ignore them! i visualize my path and I am fortunate that mostly things go pretty much as I expect. Not so for millions of people displaced by wars and storms!

So, I realize how fortunate I am. But, this last week I have become AWARE of UNCERTAINTY. My wonderful husband Kit is “planning” on running the Boston Marathon next Monday — April 20th.

But, a little over a week ago he came down with a “cold” that has left him feeling JUNK! At first he thought — Ah, heck! Let’s cancel everything! Then he got an email confirming the dinner we are having after the marathon with friends. — and we are to see our grandson on the trip. Hmm.

So, it seems we ARE going. And as a loving wife I am torn. Part of me wants him “safe” and not running. Another — somewhat smaller part — wants him to be happy doing whatever he wants.

I say, smaller. But, that part is dominant. Safe is so tempting. But we cannot keep loved ones safe against their will.

So, I am taking a deep breath, and putting us both into Your Hands, God. I just heard Kit cough. And so I pray for healing. There are a lot of folks on my Please Heal List — people I love and bring before You right now for healing.

Ah, but God, my heart longs for You to help ALL of us OPEN ourselves to Your Love! When we open that door to our heart and life You come in — You come not just to heal, but to help us empty the TRASH of our lives — our regrets — our resentments — our guilt, grief, pain and anger. I have All Manner of Toxic Trash that Love Alone can dissolve. Your Love, most of all.

Thank You, God, there are Limits in our lives . . . fences . . . but there are trees with beautiful blossoms, too. I’m thankful!

Tagged with: beauty, healing, Love, Prayer, regrets, resentments, safe, trash, uncertainty
Posted in connecting

Aaah, Motherhood!

Posted on April 3, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A mother opossum with her babies on her back (From National Wildlife April/May 2015

Good Evening, God!

I love this photo! How can anyone look at it and not be filled with admiration for this dear Mother! Actually, I am overwhelmed with just how amazing mothers are. All mothers!

It’s true that this mother looks a trifle anxious . . . maybe even overwhelmed. But, there is no doubt that she loves her babies and will do her best to nourish and protect them. She is their MOTHER!

It also makes me think of what my dear friend Joyce Watson said: “Being a mother is a whole lot better and a whole lot worse than anyone ever tells you.” That is so true. We would rather suffer an injury ourselves than have our children suffer. Yet, suffering is part of life. We cannot keep it from happening. We can only do our best to help our children respond as best they can.

Growing . . . living . . .each involves pain. And Mothers live with the reality of being Responsible! We ARE responsible. But, perhaps we feel more responsible that is really possible. We are limited. We don’t always know what to do. Worse yet, we may do the wrong things. It’s hard. Making mistakes is always hard. And, reality is BIGGER than our ability to protect.

That is no doubt true of this Mother Opossum, too. There are predators about. There are storms. And there are accidents.

We humans are not marsupials. Opossum babies (seven or eight of them) leave the womb at 12 days and crawl through their mothers fur up into her pouch where they stay for 100 days. We keep our babies nine months in our wombs.

But, we keep them forever in our hearts.

Tagged with: endurance, Love, mother love, motherhood, opossums
Posted in connecting

Embraced by Love . . .

Posted on March 27, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Morning, God!

We all are surrounded by Your Love! ALL of us! I know my wonderful husband Kit is. And with this photo I can sort of see Your Love embracing him!

Light, glorious Light . . . warming us in the daytime and then the Stars singing of your love every evening. We are blessed.

But, how am I sharing Your Love? Because, Love is designed to be shared. Hmm. Do I hear You saying — first sit and receive My Love?

Receive . . . hmm. Now I’m sitting here . . . looking at the photo of Kit and trying to put myself into the photo. I’m trying to “see” Your radiant Love/Light surrounding me.

That propelled me into doing a session of Centering Prayer in another room. In that session, at first I sat there feeling as if I was covered in a layer of icky stuff. And my Heart cried out: I’m UNWORTHY!! You, however, just smiled and said something like, “Of course!” Well, yes, God, of course. I am unworthy of Your Love. You LOVE because it is Your Nature to Love.

I keep missing the point. I keep wanting You to Clean me up and send me out into the world — being perfect — doing Your Will. Earning Your Love.

I keep forgetting that I am a CHILD. A child who does have good days. But, also a child who falls back into her Terrible Twos. A child that all to often does not want to have a “bath” or to take her cod liver oil.

I guess that what I CAN do . . . is to remember that everyone else is still just a child, too.

And now a Wild Thought: Just as there are free “charging” stations for electric cars — wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were Spiritual Charging Stations for us humans?

You say . . . that’s what Prayer is all about!

Tagged with: Embraced by God, forgiving myself, glorious Light, grace, Humans -- God's children, Love, Terrible Twos
Posted in connecting, Light, LOVE, Prayer

Magical Scorpio Rising out of the sea

Posted on March 24, 2015 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The constellation Scorpio

Good Evening, God!

We are home. Back from our cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. And the most magical moment came — in part — because I came down with a cold.

Colds seem to make for fitful sleep. . . and sure enough I was up every hour. And each time I got up I would step outside onto our balcony and look up at the stars. Earlier that evening, my wonderful husband, Kit, and I had identified Orion’s Belt and the Big Dipper. But around 11 p.m. I noticed a bright “new” constellation low on the eastern horizon that I couldn’t identify. It turned out to be the top five stars of the constellation Scorpio. As the night went on I watched it slowly rise out of the sea. A most amazing moment when I finally recognized it.

Ah! SCORPIO!

I have seen the stars in Grass Valley where my brother and sister (in law) live. I must ask my friend living in the desert if she also sees stars filling her night sky. It just takes an absence of our human light pollution. Seeing the STARS stretches my mind and heart.

BIG! HUGE! UNFATHOMABLE!

Out on the ocean . . . standing in the warmth of a Caribbean night . . . I felt connected and embraced by these familiar stars. I am small, God, but I am a Part of Your Creation. And I rejoice.

Tagged with: constellations, Eastern Caribbean, Scorpio, stars
Posted in beauty, Communion, connecting, JOY, rejoicing