Why is something beautiful? Breath takingly beautiful?
Why do we stop to look at a vista over an impossibly cerulean blue harbor, or a bursting bright fuschia hibiscus, or a serene vignette of chair, table, lamp, art in a hotel hallway, or an art piece peeking out around a corner. Or for that matter, we pause to hear wind chimes, or to watch an elegant woman walk by.
Why do we spend money on something of beauty. And then grant it a hallowed position in our homes or offices?
Or buy the scarf or purse that caught our eye?
Why?
I have a thought.
These tiny iota sized bits of beauty, they bring us for a millisecond a glimpse of perfection of heaven. We all want an eternity of awesome. Being human, we want it now. So we gather glimpses, either physically or mentally. We are hungry for what only God can give us. But that doesn't stop us from trying to gather on our own...
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Do nothing.
Retire is what yo do when the Michelins on your car are all flat.
The cessation of going to office every day and having responsibilities 24/7, well, that's called Adventure. Freedom.
Yes I am really on this track now. Such freedom.
Similarily, what did I take away from 7 weeks of Lenten group , and our church's 6 weeks of sermons on Philippians ( Do nothing, Gain everything. Give anything.)?
I am overwhelmingly joyful and thankful at freedom. I am free. I am loved as a child of God. I can live in the moment. I am so so darned lucky! Blessed!
God has shown me up close and personal this past few years, that He will never leave my side. He whispers into my ear He loves me. He delights in me. He wants me to turn towards Him, look to Him. To delight in Him. And not to try to do it on my own....
It takes a lot to NOT try and control my minutes. To trust Him. To put HIM on the throne, and me kneeling at His feet. But remember, He will help me do this! He will never leave me. I am not alone.
How fabulous is life!
The cessation of going to office every day and having responsibilities 24/7, well, that's called Adventure. Freedom.
Yes I am really on this track now. Such freedom.
Similarily, what did I take away from 7 weeks of Lenten group , and our church's 6 weeks of sermons on Philippians ( Do nothing, Gain everything. Give anything.)?
I am overwhelmingly joyful and thankful at freedom. I am free. I am loved as a child of God. I can live in the moment. I am so so darned lucky! Blessed!
God has shown me up close and personal this past few years, that He will never leave my side. He whispers into my ear He loves me. He delights in me. He wants me to turn towards Him, look to Him. To delight in Him. And not to try to do it on my own....
It takes a lot to NOT try and control my minutes. To trust Him. To put HIM on the throne, and me kneeling at His feet. But remember, He will help me do this! He will never leave me. I am not alone.
How fabulous is life!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Age of adventure
I have poor balance, always have. Didn't like skiing in high school, thought I'd fall the entire way down the mountain. Tripped and sprained ankles three times.
So today was a banner day. We're in Bermuda, I really wanted to experience the freedom of exploring the island. Not quite in a Vespa, but I could doitmn a motorized bike. And we did. Seven hours, to Hamilton, lunch there at Hog Penny Pub. Then to Flatts Village Aquarium, and finally Crystal Caves. Exhausted now, thigh muscles are quivering. BUT I DID IT!
I told Mike last night, I don't look at this as the start of retirement. It is the restorative, celebratory phase. And we will launch into new adventures and projects. God will show us.
Retirement implies hedonism and oldness and coasting and not being of any use to anyone else. Well, thats not us! I want to restore us mind body and spirit, but also see where we can help others. I want to get healthier, more athletic. I want to stretch, grow, try new things. Adventures! This is the age of adventure!
So today was a banner day. We're in Bermuda, I really wanted to experience the freedom of exploring the island. Not quite in a Vespa, but I could doitmn a motorized bike. And we did. Seven hours, to Hamilton, lunch there at Hog Penny Pub. Then to Flatts Village Aquarium, and finally Crystal Caves. Exhausted now, thigh muscles are quivering. BUT I DID IT!
I told Mike last night, I don't look at this as the start of retirement. It is the restorative, celebratory phase. And we will launch into new adventures and projects. God will show us.
Retirement implies hedonism and oldness and coasting and not being of any use to anyone else. Well, thats not us! I want to restore us mind body and spirit, but also see where we can help others. I want to get healthier, more athletic. I want to stretch, grow, try new things. Adventures! This is the age of adventure!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Jacob's piles of stones
Just like the piles of stones for the OT's Jacob marked major occurances in his life, Mike and I wanted to mark his selling his company/ retiring from alternative energy world full time stressful working with our own pile of stones... a fun seven to nine day getaway. I'd been lloking at websites and travel blogs for weeks, couldnt find the perfect place. I wanted the balance of exotic, fun, festive, not too expensive, but luxury. And also, as it was getting hot in Winter Park, I didn't want too hot.
What a lot of pressure. Finding the one perfect place. When planning the wedding three years ago, I managed my stress level by reminding myself "there are many options that will be fabulous, just find one of those many." And with colleges, " there are many that you will like and be the right fit for you, just choose a few and see who chooses you."
Well, I finally listened to my own advice. " There are many resorts that are fabulous, just choose one of the many." Within an hour I pulled the trigger on Bermuda... sweater weather, Mike's never been, great golf, luxury hotel w villas and balcony overlooking Castle Harbor, British like Downton Abbey. Preseason rooms are half price.
Yesterday it was cool when we arrived. I was abit nervous it wasn't elegant / exotic enough. And would Mike's softball finger injury be healed enough for golf. Well, dinner last night was delicious, cards afterwards in bar, spectacular golf w wild roosters today. Yoga in room overlooking harbor. And in a few minutes we try out the motorized bikes. Ah! This is pretty, pretty good!
What a lot of pressure. Finding the one perfect place. When planning the wedding three years ago, I managed my stress level by reminding myself "there are many options that will be fabulous, just find one of those many." And with colleges, " there are many that you will like and be the right fit for you, just choose a few and see who chooses you."
Well, I finally listened to my own advice. " There are many resorts that are fabulous, just choose one of the many." Within an hour I pulled the trigger on Bermuda... sweater weather, Mike's never been, great golf, luxury hotel w villas and balcony overlooking Castle Harbor, British like Downton Abbey. Preseason rooms are half price.
Yesterday it was cool when we arrived. I was abit nervous it wasn't elegant / exotic enough. And would Mike's softball finger injury be healed enough for golf. Well, dinner last night was delicious, cards afterwards in bar, spectacular golf w wild roosters today. Yoga in room overlooking harbor. And in a few minutes we try out the motorized bikes. Ah! This is pretty, pretty good!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Where has the time gone?
How has it been so long between entries?
One answer... life is so fun and exciting that I don't have time to write. Which is a bunch of hogwash. A rationalization of missed opportunities! I have thought of writing. But there's a ginormous gap between the intention and the action...
Time in thoughtful meditation and intentional writing feels the soul. Time in physical action of 'getting things done' feeds the body. It's a balance. I want more soul feeding... But it is so fun to be active outside, and with friends!
I woke up mid-March ( a few weeks ago) and noticed that my body didn't ache. Whoa Nelly! And I then realized I hadn't taken a nap in a few weeks. For a year at least, I would ache so much I couldn't fall asleep some nights. I would wake up aching, without even getting out of bed. At some point my kidneys and liver healed enough to take on their constant filtering job in full force again. And my mitochondria were restored enough to produce energy all day long without that mid-afternoon recharge. I still have achiness when I play tennis or walk far two days in amrow.. but hey that's easily overcome! Breathe big sigh of relief... life is good!
One answer... life is so fun and exciting that I don't have time to write. Which is a bunch of hogwash. A rationalization of missed opportunities! I have thought of writing. But there's a ginormous gap between the intention and the action...
Time in thoughtful meditation and intentional writing feels the soul. Time in physical action of 'getting things done' feeds the body. It's a balance. I want more soul feeding... But it is so fun to be active outside, and with friends!
I woke up mid-March ( a few weeks ago) and noticed that my body didn't ache. Whoa Nelly! And I then realized I hadn't taken a nap in a few weeks. For a year at least, I would ache so much I couldn't fall asleep some nights. I would wake up aching, without even getting out of bed. At some point my kidneys and liver healed enough to take on their constant filtering job in full force again. And my mitochondria were restored enough to produce energy all day long without that mid-afternoon recharge. I still have achiness when I play tennis or walk far two days in amrow.. but hey that's easily overcome! Breathe big sigh of relief... life is good!
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