How is your heart?

If we could only slow down to enjoy this life that goes by in a blink of an eye. 

If we could only place value on BEING versus DOING.

If we could only breathe more deeply.

If we could only enjoy the silence.

If we could only be in the moment.

If we could only be grateful.

If we could only do these things we would find joy and peace.

Recently I read a great article about this very subject on 

onbeing.org. The following is from the article, "The Disease of Being Busy" by Omid Safi, weekly columnist:

"...This disease of being "busy" is spiritually destructive to our health and wellbeing. It saps our ability to be fully present with those we love the most in our families, and keeps us from forming the kind of community that we all so desperately crave...."

"It doesn't have to be this way. In many Muslim cultures, when you want to ask them how they're doing, you ask" in Arabic, Kayfhaal-ik? or in Persian, Haal-e shomaa chetoreh? How is your haal?

What is this haal that you inquire about? It is the transient state of one's heart. In reality, we ask, "How is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?" When I ask, "How are you?" that is really what I want to know.

I am not asking how many items are on your to-do list, nor asking how many items are in your inbox. I want to know how your heart is doing, at this very moment. Tell me. Tell me your heart is joyous, tell me your heart is aching, tell me your heart is sad, tell me your heart craves a human touch. Examine your own heart, explore your soul, and then tell me something about your heart and your soul.

Tell me you remember you are still a human being, not just a human doing. Tell me you're more than just a machine, checking off items from your to-do list. Have that conversation, that glance, that touch. Be a healing conversation, one filled with grace and presence...

...Tell me something about your heart, and awaken my heart..."

I hope you take the time to read the article in full and there are many other good articles worth reading here:

onbeing.org

Living a life of gratitude, counting gifts and blessings, requires us to slow down. We develop a new rhythm for living our life. It's not easy. We want to return to what we know which is the busy, the frantic, the packed schedule that produces more anxiety and stress. But it's familiar and I easily slip back into old habits. Then I have to remember to stop and breathe. Slow my breath and slow my mind. Practice the art of mindfulness. (You can find many books and websites on mindfulness, youtube videos, and local classes and workshops in many areas.)It's the practice of being awake and fully aware. Remembering that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness.  

Counting Gifts...

Buttery Morning Moon seen from our bedroom window

Full moon on way home from Kirsch Camp

Love the neighbor's red tractor!

Cool old wagon on neighbor's property

Casimir Road

Front edge of our lawn

The snow has been falling the last six hours and doesn't show signs of stopping. It is so cold that ice forms on the inside of your nostrils!!!!! LOL!!!

But the beauty here is breathtaking. Everywhere you look; another picture postcard.

Kids were happy last couple of days schools closed due to the COLD!!!!

It's all good...

How many times have we heard this popular phrase? I thought of it this morning as I read again about giving thanks in all things; even in our grief and suffering, in our emptiness and pain.

In her book "One Thousand Gifts", Ann Voskamp's words speak to me;

"...I awaken to the strange truth that all new life comes out of the dark places, and hasn't it always been? Out of darkness, God spoke forth the teeming life."

"...Yes. And emptiness itself can birth the fullness of grace because in the emptiness we have the opportunity to turn to God and there find all the fullness of joy."

"Here dies another day
During which I have had eyes, ears, hands
And the great world round me;
And with tomorrow begins another.
Why am I allowed two?"

"Why doesn't anyone ask that why question?
Why are we allowed two? Why lavished with three? A whole string of grace days? Isn't even one enough?"

"I want to yell, "NO!" No, it is not! Why can't we be allowed days indefinitely? How can God ever expect us to say good-by to the eyes, ears, hands of those we cherish more than our own?"

"Suffering nourishes grace, and pain and joy are arteries of the same heart - and mourning and dancing are but movements in His unfinished symphony of beauty."

"God is always good and I am always loved. Take the pain and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness. The hard discipline to give thanks for all things at all times."

As I was writing these words this morning, I received a phone call from Jonathon's mom, Joy. Through her tears she said, "Grandma died". We drove together to Harmony where Grandma had been living the last few years. Matt, Michael and Jonathon all met us there and  over the next few hours we cried, we talked to grandma, we kissed her, held her hands, shared memories and prayed. Then the people from the funeral home came to take away her body and we went home to write an obituary, plan a memorial, contact friends and think about this woman of 96 years who had touched all of our hearts.

Ellen Ritlinger knew how to live life! My favorite memory of Grandma is the trip we took to Laughlin when she visited Arizona after Grandpa died. Her first solo trip. We knew she loved to gamble so Jonathon and I rented a mini van and the three of us along with with Mary and Mike and Sharon and Eric drove to Laughlin. After we had been there maybe 5 minutes I realized I had no idea where Grandma was! Jonathon said not to worry as she was right at home at the Casino! We gambled and went casino hopping into the wee hours and Grandma had  no trouble keeping up with us. The next morning she was the first one downstairs ready to start again! I never saw her without her jewelry and make up. Back in Phoenix we took her to the horse races where she placed her own bets! She loved games and cards. She was a master bridge player and she and Grandpa loved to dance to the big bands. She always called me "dearie" and she would light up and smile when our eyes met.

Grandma, I know you must be on a dance floor in heaven reunited with Grandpa,your favorite partner. Thanks for all the sweet memories. You will be missed.

Joy, Grandma, Lorelei and Wilson

Jonathon and his Grandma

Jonathon and Grandma

Dinner at Tokyo Steak House

On the last night of their Christmas vacation we shared a fun dinner with the MacBeth's. We gathered around the hibachi table and were entertained by the theatrical moves of our chef as he prepared our selections.  Clara wasn't too sure about the flames. She needn't have worried since she was sitting next to a very experienced fire fighter! :) 

Mike, Clara and Lorelei

Annie Mae serving green tea.

Joy and Harlow

Our Chef, Augustine, really got things cooking!

"minus 15, feels like -31"!!!!!

This was the morning weather report on my phone. I have to laugh!

All I care is that the sun is shining brilliantly through the windows, the snow-covered ground looks like God sprinkled it with glitter and long tree shadows make patterns on the front lawn. I breathe in the sunshine!!!!

I am keeping a "Gift List". I have 300 gifts written in a little book that I keep handy. This idea from Ann Voskamp's book "1,000 Gifts" (see my New Year's Day post) is a beautiful way to stay present. This is what mindfulness is all about. Notice. Breathe. Slow down. And while we're at it let's give thanks in all things. 

I often pick up Beth's old bible. It's well worn and highlighted and there are many hand written notes in the margins. Today I was reading her notes in Ecclesiastes; 

"Be expectant."

"You may become trite if you hurry your heart."

"Wherever you are, be all there."

I believe she continues to take this journey with me. Holding her books, reading her notes brings her so close. I only discovered 

"One Thousand Gifts" because it was one of her books that I brought home with me from her book shelf two years ago.

I encourage you to keep an ongoing gift list, a gratitude journal too. It's a great tool to help you slow down and be thankful. Thanksgiving creates abundance. Thanksgiving makes time! 

Wisdom from "One Thousand Gifts":

"... Life is too brief to hurry. 

How long does it take your soul to realize that your life is full? 

The slower the living, the greater the sense of fullness and satisfaction. 

Weigh the moment down with full attention.

Full attention slows the current. Don't I always have the choice to be fully attentive? 

Simplicity is ultimately a matter of focus. Thanksgiving keeps the focus simple  -  sacred.

Our life story in freeze frames of thanks...

#362. Suds in the sink

#457. Brown eggs fresh from the henhouse

#526. New toothbrushes

#663. Opening jars of preserves

#904. First frost's crunch

#971. Kettle whistling for tea on a cold afternoon..."

If we chronicle the gifts, what happens is along the way we will discover a new way of seeing that opens our eyes to gratitude and a way of living that brings deep and lasting happiness...

Today is the anniversary date of Dad's passing. I was thinking about how he passed at the time of the Epiphany, a Christian feast day that celebrates the manifestation of Christ as the Son of God. The dictionary definition is: realization, idea, enlightenment, inspiration, discovery.

In my reading this morning I read this beautiful simple idea of our daily epiphanies... Our life experience is typically in the eye of the beholder. If we have eyes to see the daily epiphanies in our lives we will end up with grateful and joyful hearts. My dad did this. He was a role model for discovering the good in the moment. He had a joyful heart. A big, generous, joyful heart and I miss him. Always.