I really resonated with this message. At this stage in my life, many life aspects feel up in the air, and that can often feeling overwhelming. Not knowing when to start because it's all too much. This message helps this transitional phase of my life feel more manageable, and, well, exciting. Instead of everything, I can focus on the projects in front of me, and the people and places in my life. I also think this message is especially important politically -- when a president wants to keep us in a state of chaos, we must stay focused.
Dear friend, thank you for your wonderful words! You are so right about the overwhelm we feel not knowing where to start. Not the task is difficult, says Kierkegaard, but the beginning. Sometimes, I guess, it is also the task :-) It sounds to me like you are at a "threshold place," dear Danica. They are indeed overwhelming but also precious. We have left one room but cannot yet see the next one. So we stand at the threshold waiting, being reminded to just breathe and be. And yes, the country seems to be at a threshold, too. I hope it will not forget to breathe 😇
Thank you for this simple but profound orientation to navigate overwhelm. I hadn't also thought about the coldness of the season contributing to the agita, but that makes a lot of sense. My existential dread is beyond my usual Seasonal Affective Disorder, but the two combined are a lot.
My next thing is to guest lecture to a class of medical students today about the importance of spiritual care. Then it's meeting with a spiritual directee. And later taking my kids to basketball practice. And attempting to finish writing a post on creativity and spiritualitu.
Ironically, one can become terribly busy by caring about spiritual things. I am astonished how doctors and nurses etc. can manage any calm reflection or human connection in their spreadsheet-driven lives. Thanks for showing us how to be centered in the midst of it. I wish you peace in your full day, -Chuck
This reminds me of the Sing of Sings (bible) verse that talks about the fact that her brothers made her the keeper of the vineyard. But she had not kept her own vineyard. Can't you relate,
Oh, I wish I could listen to this talk. So important. I remember giving a lecture to very skeptical medical doctors about spiritual care. That was fun!
Wishing you well for your day. I am astonished you find time for writing. But may be it is the spiritual practice you need for some alone time and calm?
Thank you, Almut, you have a beautiful way of injecting peace into difficult questions. What next, indeed. I was honestly petrified by this Sunday's reading from Isaiah ("here I am, send me") and St Luke's "fishers of men" Gospel. My life as a caregiver is so full, and so exhausting at the moment, how can God be expecting more? Everywhere I hear, "don't just sit there, speak out, take action, others without a voice are counting on you." So I prayed, and contemplated, and realized that others without a voice (my little grandchildren and elderly parents) ARE counting on me. And I am taking action. Every diaper, every impatient response bitten back, every criticism of myself let go unremarked... tiny droplets of peace offered to our hurting world. That's my next thing- just doing the next thing.❤️
Eva, that is so very beautifully said. I am glad you discerned the question and found your answer. Do the next thing indeed. It will change the world 😇
So many thoughts came to mind when I first read this several days ago. One that stays in the forefront is being aware of the motivation for taking the steps. Are we stepping towards something or are we taking steps away? It can certainly be both as many a battered wife who has had enough can attest. But the sustaining motivation, the moving towards is where the energy lies. My friends and I have been discussing this as how do we combat the present political times. Do we do it out of fear, or do we do it with resolve to combat the evil? And, evil it is. So, we have decided the next thing right now is to not act out of fear, but walk towards and participate in whatever way we can to challenge and change what is happening now. Baby step by baby step.
Kathleen, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment 🙏 I think you give a powerful example for what is called discernment in the spiritual direction. Which ask exactly about the motivation and direction of our actions. Do we step towards peace in our hearts or do we just do what ever it takes to escape our fears? I am so glad you have friends with whom you can discuss things like this and for your decision to walk towards peace, in our hearts and the world. One step at a time is what changes the world indeed. 😇
Thank you once again for your beautiful thoughts, heartfelt words, dear Almut. My next thing in these days of heartache has been to remain faithful to my daily routines, housekeeping tasks, and spiritual practices. These help to order my days and foster a sense of control over the chaos. Yesterday, I savored the simplicity of baking peanut butter oatmeal cookies on a gray and rainy day. This morning, I have candles lighted as I read posts from like-minded, spiritual writers. Thank you for yours!
This sounds like a good approach for spiritual survival, dear Karen. Baking is always good practice. I think it reminds us of the sacred in all things. Blessings from my heart to yours.
Oh, thank YOU, dear Cindy. I am so glad you took in the sunset today, even when feeling cold. I find it consoling also, that there will be another sunrise. Sometimes that is all we need to remind ourselves off 🙏
I really resonated with this message. At this stage in my life, many life aspects feel up in the air, and that can often feeling overwhelming. Not knowing when to start because it's all too much. This message helps this transitional phase of my life feel more manageable, and, well, exciting. Instead of everything, I can focus on the projects in front of me, and the people and places in my life. I also think this message is especially important politically -- when a president wants to keep us in a state of chaos, we must stay focused.
Dear friend, thank you for your wonderful words! You are so right about the overwhelm we feel not knowing where to start. Not the task is difficult, says Kierkegaard, but the beginning. Sometimes, I guess, it is also the task :-) It sounds to me like you are at a "threshold place," dear Danica. They are indeed overwhelming but also precious. We have left one room but cannot yet see the next one. So we stand at the threshold waiting, being reminded to just breathe and be. And yes, the country seems to be at a threshold, too. I hope it will not forget to breathe 😇
You are not alone
Thank you for this simple but profound orientation to navigate overwhelm. I hadn't also thought about the coldness of the season contributing to the agita, but that makes a lot of sense. My existential dread is beyond my usual Seasonal Affective Disorder, but the two combined are a lot.
My next thing is to guest lecture to a class of medical students today about the importance of spiritual care. Then it's meeting with a spiritual directee. And later taking my kids to basketball practice. And attempting to finish writing a post on creativity and spiritualitu.
Christine,
Ironically, one can become terribly busy by caring about spiritual things. I am astonished how doctors and nurses etc. can manage any calm reflection or human connection in their spreadsheet-driven lives. Thanks for showing us how to be centered in the midst of it. I wish you peace in your full day, -Chuck
This reminds me of the Sing of Sings (bible) verse that talks about the fact that her brothers made her the keeper of the vineyard. But she had not kept her own vineyard. Can't you relate,
Oh, I wish I could listen to this talk. So important. I remember giving a lecture to very skeptical medical doctors about spiritual care. That was fun!
Wishing you well for your day. I am astonished you find time for writing. But may be it is the spiritual practice you need for some alone time and calm?
Thank you, Almut, you have a beautiful way of injecting peace into difficult questions. What next, indeed. I was honestly petrified by this Sunday's reading from Isaiah ("here I am, send me") and St Luke's "fishers of men" Gospel. My life as a caregiver is so full, and so exhausting at the moment, how can God be expecting more? Everywhere I hear, "don't just sit there, speak out, take action, others without a voice are counting on you." So I prayed, and contemplated, and realized that others without a voice (my little grandchildren and elderly parents) ARE counting on me. And I am taking action. Every diaper, every impatient response bitten back, every criticism of myself let go unremarked... tiny droplets of peace offered to our hurting world. That's my next thing- just doing the next thing.❤️
Eva, that is so very beautifully said. I am glad you discerned the question and found your answer. Do the next thing indeed. It will change the world 😇
So many thoughts came to mind when I first read this several days ago. One that stays in the forefront is being aware of the motivation for taking the steps. Are we stepping towards something or are we taking steps away? It can certainly be both as many a battered wife who has had enough can attest. But the sustaining motivation, the moving towards is where the energy lies. My friends and I have been discussing this as how do we combat the present political times. Do we do it out of fear, or do we do it with resolve to combat the evil? And, evil it is. So, we have decided the next thing right now is to not act out of fear, but walk towards and participate in whatever way we can to challenge and change what is happening now. Baby step by baby step.
Kathleen, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment 🙏 I think you give a powerful example for what is called discernment in the spiritual direction. Which ask exactly about the motivation and direction of our actions. Do we step towards peace in our hearts or do we just do what ever it takes to escape our fears? I am so glad you have friends with whom you can discuss things like this and for your decision to walk towards peace, in our hearts and the world. One step at a time is what changes the world indeed. 😇
Thank you for your grounding words.
You are very welcome, dear Becca 🙏
Thank you once again for your beautiful thoughts, heartfelt words, dear Almut. My next thing in these days of heartache has been to remain faithful to my daily routines, housekeeping tasks, and spiritual practices. These help to order my days and foster a sense of control over the chaos. Yesterday, I savored the simplicity of baking peanut butter oatmeal cookies on a gray and rainy day. This morning, I have candles lighted as I read posts from like-minded, spiritual writers. Thank you for yours!
This sounds like a good approach for spiritual survival, dear Karen. Baking is always good practice. I think it reminds us of the sacred in all things. Blessings from my heart to yours.
"But even then grace sustains us". This is what resonates. Still waiting for layers of this phrase to reveal themselves.
May grace find you where you are, dear Carol 🙏
Thank you for the pause to think about the next step. “even if the path ahead is hidden beneath ice and uncertainty.”
I’m feeling the cold temperatures more intensely than in the past. Even 69 deg F in the house feels cold today. I wore a hat and a vest inside!
Uncertainty of health issues is in the mix!
The sunset was beautiful this evening.
The sky is now bright with Venus, Jupiter and Mars and the 1/2 Moon.
Tomorrow is a new day! The sun will rise!
Oh, thank YOU, dear Cindy. I am so glad you took in the sunset today, even when feeling cold. I find it consoling also, that there will be another sunrise. Sometimes that is all we need to remind ourselves off 🙏
Thank you for this:
“May you be met with kindness—
from the world, from others,
but most of all, from yourself.”💜
Thank you, dear Vicky, meeting myself kindly is always a challenge :-)
Making more and more space for creativity and joy because I can't survive this mess without it. It's a great question. Thanks for asking.
Yes!