Looking Closely: Spider Lilies, Holograms and Me

Posted on September 8, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Spider Lilies up CLOSE

Good Morning, God!

In scanning through my recent photos, including some glorious scenes at Sandy Beach, I found this lovely close-up of a humble spider lily.

Compelling, I thought. But, Why?

Maybe my husband Kit is right and it is the color that draws me? Note the purple stamen and yellow pollen laden tip.

Or perhaps, God, it is simply that I am really looking at the lily. The world seems to me a sort of hologram. If we look closely at any one thing, the Wonder of the Whole opens up before us. This must be what William Blake meant when he wrote:

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.

I just read the rest of that poem: Auguries of Innocence by William Blake. It has been years since I read it and I was surprised by the line that follows: A robin redbreast in a cage / Puts all heaven in a rage.

Hmmm. This is not a poem to be taken lightly, is it God. If Heaven rages at a Robin being confined in a Cage, what is Heaven’s response toward genocide? I’m thinking back to Bosnia — and more recently Darfur.

You have written in our hearts — designed in us — compassion for all creatures. We disregard it at our peril. As Blake goes on to say: He who doubts from what he sees / Will ne’er believe, do what you please.

Tagged with: holograms, looking closely, seeing, spider lilies, To see a world in a grain of sand
Posted in a matter of scale, inner paths of the heart, Light shining through, seeing, web of life

Making The Turn — Opening to Hope

Posted on September 7, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

an old VW bug beautifully restored

Good Morning,God!

Sometimes we see something that instantly crystalizes a half-formed thought. That’s what happened coming home from an early Labor Day picnic with friends at Sandy Beach.

We drove by this old VW bug that had been beautifully restored. And I thought, “THAT is what I want to do with My Body. Restore it!”

Renovating a car is easy: a new engine, a new paint job, lots of re-chroming, and new seats and flooring — VOILA! Hmmm. OK, it isn’t THAT easy. But will still take more to “renovate” me.

What I want is: (1) to Keep on Running and (2) return to Right Eating. The last few days I felt as if my “Aircraft Carrier Body” had started to drift while making The Turn. But, today I am feeling stronger, a bit more focused. And best of all — hopeful!

Hopeful, as in certain that the effort — regardless of “results” — is worthwhile. Hope does not disappoint for it depends not on “results” but rather is part of Your Ongoing Inner Artesian Spring. I love that thought, God. It came from the first two chapters of Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God by Cynthia Bourgeault.

Hmm. I can see that I need to add Right Thinking and Right Reading to my renovation project!

But, back to the Chrome Trim. I just remembered that last week I bought (at Ross’s) a sparkly silver purse and sparkly silver sandals. Yes! So, a wee bit of shiny chrome is allowed — maybe encouraged? Thank YOU!

Tagged with: Cynthia Bourgeault, hope, Hope that does not disappoint, Mystical Hope, old VW bugs, renovation, right reading
Posted in becoming the change I wish to see, Being ENJOYED by God, Holy Spirit, hope, Hope as a gift from God

We can’t waste Grandmas

Posted on September 6, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Rushing to give Grandma a HUG

Good Morning, God!

I love this photo of a dear friend being hugged by her granddaughters — and great-granddaughters! Hugging is so good for our health! In fact, just looking at this photo makes me feel good!

One of my all time favorite quotes is from when Sandy was quite young — five? We were having a family dinner with my parents and my mom had a granddaughter on one side of her but an empty chair on the other side. Sandy left her chair to go sit in the empty one by her grandma, saying, “We can’t waste grandmas!”

Grandmothers ARE a very key resource. Long, long ago a family that had a grandmother had a much better chance of having children grow to adulthood. In many parts of the world that is still the case. Another pair of helping hands, another pair of listening ears — that makes a big difference, doesn’t it God.

Actually, I don’t know that any of us ever really outgrows the need for helping hands and listening hearts. And we don’t need to be part of a biological family to benefit from this kind of giving and receiving.

Tagged with: a moment with God, an extra pair of ears, an extra pair of hands, We can't waste Grandmas
Posted in Being a Blessing, family visits, hugs, LOVE, Uncategorized

A Grey Goose and Reflections on Change

Posted on September 5, 2011 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

a grey goose living in the pond by the Rec Center

Good Morning, God!

I first saw this goose a week or so ago and was delighted. I suppose because it reminded me of a song my Welsh grandma sang — “Go tell Aunt Rhody her old grey goose is dead.” I guess that the news of the goose’s death was good news as the song continues with “the one that she was saving to make a feather bed.”

Today we sleep on Memory Foam, God. I don’t know if I have ever even seen a feather bed. And can one get enough feathers from one goose for a whole feather bed — even a twin bed?

Such former practicalities elude me, God. And since only about 3% of our US population lives on farms, I dare say I am not alone in my ignorance. There are a lot of things our culture has forgotten. Historical figures go appallingly quickly. Hitler? College students ask with a puzzled look.

But then I know just how puzzled I would look if they quizzed me on current singers — or who is on American Idol. And I dare say I am even more indifferent to my lack of such knowledge! Ah, yes, God. Generation gaps. Giant gulfs that divide us — as in computer literacy. And, even then, God, there are degrees. Degrees which expand and extend themselves relentlessly — leaving everyone further behind than they were the day before.

So, God, having moved from a grey goose to my iPhone — I sit pondering the accelerating pace of change. Technological changes, and Cultural Changes. But, inside us? I think very little has changed in how our Hearts work. Love, kindness, respect, attention and purpose are still basic needs. Please help us, God, to learn more about how to care for our Hearts — ours and Others.

Tagged with: a moment with God, refections on change
Posted in Changing, Hearts, LOVE, Transitions

Rainbows and Relaxation

Posted on September 4, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

a rainbow on the way to the KCC Farmers' Market

Good Morning, God!

In just a few minutes I will be off to the 7 a.m. service. My friend Becky is giving the sermon this Laity Sunday, and I’m looking forward to hearing her. And the best thing of all, God, is that I can return home and nap.

I have nothing that needs doing. Nothing pending. And tomorrow is a holiday, Labor Day, that will really BE a holiday for me. How good it is, God, to rest totally.

I’m smiling just looking at the rainbow. It is a sign of Your Promises, God. I think specifically the promise was to never send another flood. Hmmm. The seas are slowly rising — covering low-lying atolls. Does having the oceans rise not count as a “flood?” Ah, such questions, God! And, truthfully, I am quite certain I don’t want You to answer. I cannot truly rest and refrain from working if I allow my heart to be troubled.

That is kind of tricky, God, because I am looking at science and seeing what is going on around me. But with Your help, I am finding my Peace in You.

It is all about letting go. I am not in-charge. Things will play out as they will. I am realizing that True Rest is stepping outside of my world — filled with its worries — and stepping into Your Universe. Stepping out of my time and slipping into Your Time.

I think it was Abraham Heschel who called the Sabbath a Doorway into God’s Time. I love that idea, God! And I went back to watch a video I did a few years ago — God’s Time. It really helps me slip in through that doorway. Please, God, help me open that door in my heart.

Tagged with: a moment with God, Abraham Heschel, peace, rainbows and promises, relaxation, The Sabbath as a Door into God's Time
Posted in God's Time, sabbath rest, sacred space, seeing myself as a sheep, setting my life in context

The Light Shows Best in Darkness

Posted on September 3, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A Spider Lily blooming on my street

Good Morning, God!

Several days ago I was taking photos of a spider lily blossom. The bright blue marina was the background and it just didn’t work. But when I saw the delicate white petals against the dark green foliage — Aaah!

Put the lightest light against the darkest dark — and that will be the center of attention. I remember Mrs. Artega, my wonderful art teacher in my teen years, saying that.

I suppose that’s true in other areas of life, God. Nothing so captures our heart and admiration as a person persevering against adversity. The Light of Human Resistance against the Dark of Difficulties — that shines brightly indeed.

Man's Search for Meaning

I am reading Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words and the author, Kevin Hall, has referred several times to Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning. I remember reading Frankl’s book, God. What I remember most was his noting that we humans have a Will for Meaning. He said that if that quest for meaning fails or is frustrated, then we often turn toward a Will for Power or a Will for Pleasure.

Hmmm. Men who have a Will for Power and then link it to a “Meaningful Cause” fall into an interesting subcategory — and have the capacity to be particularly dangerous for the rest of us.

But back to Viktor Frankl. May there be more like him, God. I had always wondered why such a smart man didn’t flee while he could. Kevin Hall, the author of Aspire, has talked with Frankl’s family. Viktor had a visa, but his father didn’t. So Viktor stayed. He was able to be with his father in the concentration camp — holding him as he died.

Meaning and Love are inextricably bound together.

Tagged with: a moment with God, Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words, Light in Darkness, Love, Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl
Posted in Light shining through, LOVE, Meaning

A Gift of Time — A Time of Reflection

Posted on September 2, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

one of the fish in Arcadia's fish tank

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday, visiting Arcadia, I felt led to take a photo of the fish in the fish tank. It was something I’d never done in all the years I worked there.

I was waiting for a dear friend to join me so we could have breakfast together. I had arrived a bit earlier than expected, so I wandered over to look at the fish.

So exquisite, God! Diversity run amok in one small tank. This electric blue one caught my eye and out came my iPhone to take some photos.

It was only later, at breakfast, that I realized I had never done that before. I’d never had an “unfree” moment just to take a “fun” photo at Arcadia. How could that be, God? How, indeed!

Looking back, I guess there was always something “purposeful” to do. I was in Work Mode. I guess that “work mode” precluded taking photos of beautiful fish — or even pausing to see the fish.

Hmmm. I wonder if this fish, swimming around in the tank, looking for food, is in Work Mode? I am having this slightly uncomfortable feeling that I was like this fish — busily swimming around and around — for way too long.

And now, God? Now I feel lighter. More open. Maybe more accepting? No, accepting isn’t the word. More willing to release THE THINGS OF LIFE into Your Hands. Yes, I think that comes closer, God. And, Thank You for helping me to open my hands . . . slowly putting things into Your Hands.

Tagged with: a moment with God, electric blue fish, feeling Lighter, having enough time, having time to see, out of the fish tank, releasing the World
Posted in a hand up, an invitation to abundant life, growing toward up, interspecies contact, relaxation, simple joys of daily life, stopping to see

A Modest Proposal Concerning Food Stamps

Posted on September 1, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A Water Lily in a small pot

Good Morning, God!

A few days ago, Sandy emailed me that she was upset about an obese family using food stamps (an obese mom and two obese sons) to buy chips and soda pop. Sandy sees them when she visits a refugee family.

No one in our family drinks soda pop. That puts us in a very small — but healthy — minority. So, God, Sandy and I got to talking about how it’s too bad food stamp use isn’t limited to healthy foods.

Alas, as often happens when I wax critical, You put the Ball Back in My Court! As I ranted on to Sandy in a follow-up email, two thoughts came to me: 1) Jesus’ words: It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out. 2) YIKES! Maybe I should be offering cooking classes to help people KNOW HOW to eat better — and for less money. That second thought was especially unwelcome as cooking is not one of my skills.

Aha! But, I know a Super Chef who is already giving lessons at Castle Hospital! So, I guess my “modest proposal” is that somehow food stamp recipients could be “offered” classes on How to Cook Smart to Feel Better and Save Money. The classes could be video recorded and put on Youtube!

I understand God, that lots of people on food stamps are the working poor, with two jobs. They are tired, stressed and often lack easy access to stores that sell real food. Still, a crock pot and a little “seed” (or make that “bean”) money might help.

Tagged with: cheaper and better eating, food stamps, how to help, opportunities to learn, small instant pleasures
Posted in food questions, supportive organizational structures, systematic rebuilding required, The Learning Revolution

Chained! It is so EASY to stay chained

Posted on August 31, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Decades ago a child chained a bike to this tree: Photo from Sierra magazine September 2011

Good Morning, God!

There is something about this photo that delights me — but also makes me uneasy. It makes me think about how inexorable Life is. And how easy it is to get stuck — figuratively chained to old ideas, old habits, old ways of perceiving the world.

Sigh. I’m remembering how Dr. David Servan-Schrieber didn’t explore alternative ways of treating his cancer until it “came back.” Mostly we don’t even consider that we might be chained to “not so helpful” ideas and viewpoints.

It takes a “wakeup call” to get our attention. And a personal health scare is a definite wakeup call. But, often, just as with Dr. Servan-Schrieber, one wakeup call isn’t enough. That sure is me, God!

Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain

What is that first law of Thermodynamics, God? Bodies at rest tend to remain at rest. The law of Inertia. It does take energy to start moving. But it also takes a good deal of thought and looking around to decide exactly what we want to move toward. We are complex beings, God. And, mostly I like that a lot.

I’m still listening to Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. And I have just come across the chapter that talks about our conscious mind as the CEO of the vast assembly of independent contractors and subroutines that more or less coalesce into “me.”

Sigh, You made me, God! And so I am pretty sure You understand WHY I need Your Help! I want to change: what I eat, when I exercise, even how I put things away. If I wasn’t convinced that YOU WANT TO HELP, I’d just go back to bed — instead of getting down on the floor and doing sit ups and pushups. Did I hear You say, Start Small? That’s a really good reminder, God.

Tagged with: Anticancer, chained to old ideas, Changing small subroutine by subroutine, changing the way we eat, habits as subroutines, Incognito: the Secret Lives of the Brain, repeated wake up calls, the Law of Inertia
Posted in Changing, choices, choosing HARD, self care as self compassion and humility

Turmeric, Brain Health, and the Himalayan Kitchen

Posted on August 30, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Dinner at the Himalayan Kitchen in Kaimuki

Good Morning, God!

What fun last night to dine outdoors at a rooftop restaurant in Kaimuki. It’s fun to peek into another culture or at least another cuisine.

I like different. I even like it when it comes HOT. Not only did the food taste good, but my sinuses cleared and I feel generally flushed out.

Normally we would have opted to take our friend, visiting from the Mainland, to a “safer” restaurant. But she loved the idea of Himalayan food.

Actually, turmeric is the real reason we ate there. Turmeric is the latest thing in healthy eating. Dr. Blaylock’s Wellness Report touts turmeric (or its active ingredient, curcumin) for its benefits to brain health. I had actually ordered some, God, but had not taken any. Sigh,I need to “hear” things several times before they get absorbed.

So, yesterday morning, I was reading to Kit from Anticancer, A New Way of Life by Dr. Servan-Schreiber about “good foods” — and there was a section on turmeric! The research on it is amazing — done by Dr. Aggarwal. Interestingly, when his fellow researchers learned that the substance wasn’t a drug but a “spice” they lost interest. (p 115) Fortunately the head of the M.D. Anderson Health Center heard his presentation and started several clinical trials with the active ingredient, curcumin.

For some reason, God, it came to me that maybe I should think beyond pills and into a whole cuisine. So, that’s how, in taking our visiting friend out for dinner, I thought — Indian. The book tells (on page 134) that to be effective the turmeric has to be dissolved in oil and mixed with some black pepper. That helped me realize how things do work in concert. And, that, God, is how we went out to have real curry.