Gratitude

Quite a few years ago, when my life was in upheaval, I learned the simple practice of gratitude. Although I had two healthy, successful children, a good job, and many advantages, I did not know how to be truly grateful. So I decided to practice. I realized my first progress when I looked at the gas gauge in my car and felt true gratitude, from my heart, that I could afford gasoline.

Since that moment, I start most days with a gratitude list. It changes my perspective and gives me a good day, no matter what.

Today I am grateful that a record number of Americans voted. I’m also grateful for a beautiful sunrise.

You write it: What’s your experience with gratitude?

Dutch Babies

One of our favorite breakfast dishes is Dutch babies, flat pancakes served with toasted almonds, berries, and a heap of powdered sugar on top. I add a couple of slices of bacon on the side.

Since the pandemic, we have invited friends, one couple at a time, for breakfast on our back patio, which has a splendid view of the red rocks of Sedona.

Most of the time, the friends we invite have stayed all morning, just visiting and enjoying the fresh air. We have come to treasure these simple times.

During the pandemic, are there any simple times you have come to treasure?

Narrowing? Or Expanding?

Sometimes I think of discipline as narrowing—getting back between the lines, so to speak. I associate the word with constricting.

But in a meditation with friends, this concept completely changed. I had a dream about a house where I was staying. My room was in the front of the house. When I decided to explore, I found room after room after room. This house was huge! Every room was furnished, but not with more than was needed.

In the meditation, which we worded as “We discard toxicity and choose what is good, truthful, and pure,” what came to me was this scripture: “In my father’s house are many mansions.”

Now I think of discipline as expanding. How do you think of discipline?

Burst of Energy

On this crisp fall morning, after my meditation, I decided to put on some Broadway music and glide through the kitchen. By the time I finished, I had made split pea soup in the slow cooker, six sausage biscuits for my husband, and put two loaves of pumpkin bread, gluten-free, in the oven.

All this was interspersed with cleaning the refrigerator, stove-top, appliances, and counters, as well as unloading the dishwasher, emptying the trash, and changing the sheets on the bed.

When I looked at the clock, it was only 10:00.

This burst of energy was so much fun. Where it came from—the weather, my diet, the music, my meditation with friends, God—I don’t know. I do know that I am grateful.

You write it: Have you had a burst of energy lately?

In Flow

Dawn breaks.

Chill autumn morning begins.

Yet in my heart I know

These stops and starts are truly continuum.

The stops and starts are within me.

I choose to stay in flow.

RBG

“Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg

I’m taking Justice Ginsburg’s words to heart. My prayer is to respect contrary opinions and speak with love and truth. Thank you, RBG

Pruning

Yesterday I pruned the rose bushes. This morning, as I look out the window, I see streams of light flowing through them and realize, “Now they can breathe!” They seem happier, leaves less crowded.

In these times, so many are cleaning, clearing, pruning, and setting themselves free from overcrowded schedules, clutter, and obligations. Is it possible that we might be preparing for healthier, happier lives?

At the same time, I’m told that these times are very difficult for people with addictions, and deaths are increasing.

So this morning my friends and I set this intention: “Prune the addictions that keep us trapped. Set all souls free.”

Grace

The invitation was for socially distanced appetizers on their patio in the late afternoon. I expected some cheese and crackers with maybe a few grapes.

Instead, my husband and I experienced small plate after plate of elegant, fresh hors d’oeuvres from a recipe collection our hostess had been saving for years.

By the end of the evening, I felt that I had been showered with generosity.

You write it: Have you ever experienced treatment that went far beyond in grace?

Tapestry

A woman loses her struggle with alcoholism the day before a man celebrates 20 years of sobriety.

In a quiet morning moment, I enjoy a cup of hot tea.

A deadly virus is held at bay with face masks.

A young woman starts college.

A bichon lies sleeping at the foot of the bed.

A cowboy gets bucked off a horse in the moment his sister buys plants for her yard.

Tapestry.

Light Touch for Heavy Lifting

Last week I decided to go through the filing cabinet in the garage, mostly an accumulation of 20+ years of bank statements, income tax forms, and business information. Some, but not all, of it needed to be shredded. Because the task seemed tedious and monumental, I decided it didn’t matter when I finished. I would just do a bit when I wanted.

Here’s what astonished me—within a week, it was done. Not only were the files sorted, but also the filing cabinet itself was sold—on Facebook Marketplace. Unbelievably easy.

If I had told myself, “This has to be done within the week,” it would have seemed impossible. I would have resisted, made it hard. As it was, I did heavy lifting with a light touch.

You write it: Have you experienced what seems a contradiction? What was it?

Blessing of These Times

On one of our walks this week, we came upon a woman in a hat and sunglasses, waiting for her dog (Miss Kitty) to relieve herself, so my husband struck up a conversation.

Before long, we discovered we knew several of the same people from my days in Texas education. Then, as I listened more carefully, I realized I had this same conversation with a woman I met at a neighborhood party a couple of years ago—a gathering of about 75 people, all talking loudly, eating, and drinking.

Having the same conversation with the same person in nature’s quiet, was actually a different conversation. I could take in her words and reminisce about those people we knew in common. And I felt I knew my fellow walker in a new way.

Parties—crowds—noise—visual stimuli—are distractions that keep me from fully appreciating what someone is saying. This is a blessing of these times.

What is a blessing of these times for you?

Timeless

Last week I learned of the death of a friend from Covid-19. The first death of someone I know. The numbers are now real, and I’m drawn towards despair. Alan Isaacson was only 62 years old. One of the good guys. The husband of my friend. Someone who helped the mentally ill and the desperate. Someone with a lot more love to give.

So what can I do? First, send my love to the family, who are experiencing unimaginable, unexpected grief.

Then what?

Ironically, the answer comes from Martin Luther in a 1527 letter to a friend, who had asked what a Christian should do during the plague. Luther wrote, "I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order to not become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others."  493 years later, a reminder of another way to express love—keeping ourselves and others as safe as possible. Thanks to Pastor David Brandfass for calling this quotation to my attention.

You write it: How do you express love for yourself and others during this time?

One Day at a Time

Twenty years ago my husband and I embarked on programs of recovery based on the Twelve Steps. One of the first slogans we learned was “One day at a time.” Most of the time we truly live in the day, not worrying about what lies ahead or what is outside of our control. It’s been so helpful for both of us to be on the same page because when one of us slips, the other is there to remind to stay in the moment.

You write it: What do you do to stay out of worry?

Thanks

This morning for breakfast I ate a toasted cheese, bacon, and tomato sandwich.

We drive for about 30 minutes, one way, to buy these tomatoes from a Hispanic family with a vegetable stand by the side of the road. Without doubt, they are the best tomatoes I have ever eaten. Once we bought their zucchini that came with advice for how to cook it on the grill. It was the first time my husband ever liked zucchini.

So this morning, with breakfast, I gave thanks for the Hispanic family with a vegetable stand by the side of the road.

What do you give thanks for today?

Patience

With my increased leisure time, I am working wooden puzzles. Amazing, artistic puzzles with unique pieces that go together in delightful ways. A puzzle takes hours to work as I sit, look, and allow a silent, relaxed part of my brain to work.

It occurs to me that in labs throughout the world, scientists are working to find a vaccine and cure for Covid-19. They are putting the puzzle pieces together, slowly.

While we wait, let us together give thanks for our scientists and pray for their success.

What are you giving thanks for?

Intention for Today

In gratitude we go forth in safety, acceptance, and love.

New Days

The old days of rushing through an experience to get to the next one left me devoid of either. Those days are gone.

Today I ate a long, leisurely, thoughtful breakfast in an open air restaurant with few other diners.

What are your days like?

Truth Sets Us Free

Recently I read about the Tulsa Massacre in 1921. Although I grew up in Oklahoma, I was unaware of this carnage of African-American citizens and businesses that wiped out an entire thriving community. My first response was horror and revulsion.

This morning I read about the largest slave auction in the U.S., held in Georgia in 1859—an auction in which 429 men, women, and children were sold. Each of their names was listed.

I’m moving through a range of emotions. I’ve passed through shame that kept me trapped in unknowing, and now I’m willing to see the whole truth. This is a necessary part of healing. Our nation simply has to do this.

Truth sets us free.

The Power of Love

Each of us is a vibrational field, surrounded by other vibrational fields. What we feel affects these fields.We sense when others are uneasy—when they are truthful—when they are loving. Others sense us, as well. Truth and love have more power than falsity.

The challenge is to be true and to love, even in the face of lies and hatred.

You write it: When have you been changed through the power of love coming from someone else?

A Prayer with Intention

Out of our brokenness, allow the compassionate human spirit to rise.