I was reading through portions of my journal a couple weeks ago, and flagged this bit to come back to. It so beautifully describes some of my dreams and goals for life - the places and things that are important to me, and the things I believe God has planted deeply within me.
It's from a journalling workshop I attended back in March. March 24th to be exact. Kim McMechan taught it, and while I can't remember the exact instructions for the exercise, the title of it is "Instinct".
I wrote:
I would live somewhere with lots of sun, but not too much heat. Somewhere where you feel wrapped in warmth. Somewhere kind of humid, because I don't care that humidity makes my hair curl - I love to wear it curly.
I'd wear skirts all the time, flowy things, and sometimes, just because I felt like it, I'd twirl like I did when I was a little girl - just to see what shape my skirt made as I spun.
I'd hang out with people who let the messy things in their life show, because that kind of honesty is beautiful.
I'd spend lots of time with people, listening, sharing stories, praying.
I'd spend lots of time alone, too, curled up in a blanket, with a cup of tea, slowing down to reflect on my day, and on the stories I'd heard while I was with people.
I'd find a way to see the world - all of the European history I studied but have never seen with my own eyes. Machu Picchu in Peru.
I'd live in a big, laid-back, coffee shop loving city, and embrace that sort of lifestyle for a while.
I'd pierce my nose, and get a tattoo.
I'd hang out in the mountains, listening and praying, and I'd spend time writing beside the ocean.
I'd spend more time with the friends you can just be quiet with.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
A Good Day
I had a really good day today. Relaxing, slow... the sort that I truly love.
I went to the park this morning, and spent an hour and a half or so. I walked for a little while, then found a bench overlooking the creek, and sat to journal. I ended up watching a young deer wade through the creek, and help itself to some leaves off the bushes for lunch, for nearly 20 minutes. It was a lovely experience, and I truly felt the presence of God as I sat and wrote and prayed while watching this beautiful deer.
After that, I ran errands, and spent the afternoon at my parent's home, copying my favorite recipes from mom's recipe cards into a file on my laptop, for printing and adding to my own cookbook.
Mom fed me supper (steak dinner) and together we did a bit of grocery shopping before she drove me home.
Some time relaxing with tv on dvd, and I'll probably go to bed a bit early. All in all, a good day!
I went to the park this morning, and spent an hour and a half or so. I walked for a little while, then found a bench overlooking the creek, and sat to journal. I ended up watching a young deer wade through the creek, and help itself to some leaves off the bushes for lunch, for nearly 20 minutes. It was a lovely experience, and I truly felt the presence of God as I sat and wrote and prayed while watching this beautiful deer.
After that, I ran errands, and spent the afternoon at my parent's home, copying my favorite recipes from mom's recipe cards into a file on my laptop, for printing and adding to my own cookbook.
Mom fed me supper (steak dinner) and together we did a bit of grocery shopping before she drove me home.
Some time relaxing with tv on dvd, and I'll probably go to bed a bit early. All in all, a good day!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Tomorrow
I have officially survived one of the busiest weeks in recent history. I've been out for this or that scheduled event every night this week, and I'm tired.
I have great plans for tomorrow. I'm going to Fish Creek Park in the morning. I'm going to walk and pray, and then find a bench (probably in this spot I know that faces away from the homes on the edge of the park, and overlooks the forest and creek) and sit and read and think and maybe journal. I've been looking forward to the time away from everything all week - to the time to be out in nature and just "be."
After that, I'm going to come home, pick up a few things, and head to mom and dad's. I'll probably help out with some stuff around the house. I need to copy some recipes. I'm going to borrow a car and head to the library to return some books, and pick up an item that I'd requested that had now arrived. I'm also going to make a couple of phone calls - to my credit card company about some changes they're making to my account, and to my internet provider, since the bill seems rather larger than they told me it would be.
Then a quiet evening at home - maybe scrapbooking, maybe just reading or watching a dvd on my laptop. Something low key.
This is definitely my favorite kind of day.
I have great plans for tomorrow. I'm going to Fish Creek Park in the morning. I'm going to walk and pray, and then find a bench (probably in this spot I know that faces away from the homes on the edge of the park, and overlooks the forest and creek) and sit and read and think and maybe journal. I've been looking forward to the time away from everything all week - to the time to be out in nature and just "be."
After that, I'm going to come home, pick up a few things, and head to mom and dad's. I'll probably help out with some stuff around the house. I need to copy some recipes. I'm going to borrow a car and head to the library to return some books, and pick up an item that I'd requested that had now arrived. I'm also going to make a couple of phone calls - to my credit card company about some changes they're making to my account, and to my internet provider, since the bill seems rather larger than they told me it would be.
Then a quiet evening at home - maybe scrapbooking, maybe just reading or watching a dvd on my laptop. Something low key.
This is definitely my favorite kind of day.
A Window on our Spiritual Lives - Henri Nouwen
I know, I know. You're all wondering if I ever do any of the writing around here anymore. Well, I do. Or at least I will. Maybe later today, or maybe this weekend (which is full of plans for relaxing and reconnecting with bits of myself that have been neglected in this crazy month of moving and resettling, reorganizing, reprioritizing). But for now, I have this GREAT bit from Henri Nouwen that came to my email this morning as a follow-up to the bit that came to my email yesterday morning, and I thought I'd pass it along!
A Window on Our Spiritual Lives
Even though our emotional and spiritual lives are distinct, they do influence one another profoundly. Our feelings often give us a window on our spiritual journeys. When we cannot let go of jealousy, we may wonder if we are in touch with the Spirit in us that cries out "Abba." When we feel very peaceful and "centered," we may come to realise that this is a sign of our deep awareness of our belovedness.
Likewise our prayer lives, lived as faithful response to the presence of the Spirit within us, may open a window on our emotions, feelings, and passions and give us some indication of how to put them into the service of our long journey into the heart of God.
A Window on Our Spiritual Lives
Even though our emotional and spiritual lives are distinct, they do influence one another profoundly. Our feelings often give us a window on our spiritual journeys. When we cannot let go of jealousy, we may wonder if we are in touch with the Spirit in us that cries out "Abba." When we feel very peaceful and "centered," we may come to realise that this is a sign of our deep awareness of our belovedness.
Likewise our prayer lives, lived as faithful response to the presence of the Spirit within us, may open a window on our emotions, feelings, and passions and give us some indication of how to put them into the service of our long journey into the heart of God.
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