Day 31

I start typing, 

then I backspace to erase it all.

Small pieces make a bigger puzzle. 

Serving as a Eucharistic Minister for the first time

and in awe of this experience, 

and reminded that each person has a faith journey that share similarities, yet is unique to them. 

Happy that my house is full this morning, 

as everyone makes their way to the kitchen for breakfast. 

Grateful that I had time to go to Yin Yoga with Grace,

and practice self-care. 

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather and taking the dog for a walk with Danny and Kayla.

Making a departure from our usual routine of cooking on Sunday afternoon, 

and calling for a pizza and salad as everyone gathered to watch March Madness, 

Yet continuing to abstain from pizza. 

Purchasing a new composition book to use for quarter 2 in my spiritual journaling quest. 

Sitting now and typing my the final entry for the March Slice of Life challenge.  

March Madness at its best. 

Writer's Thumb?

My thumb has been drawing attention to itself.

Every now and then.

Sometimes it is a whisper, 

"Hello, are you sure you need to have such a tight grip?"

Other times it is nagging, 

"Give me a rest." 

I have been trying to figure out what has changed.

Is it aging? 

Is it the dog pulling me in a different direction on our daily walks? 

Is it the grips during hot yoga when I squeeze my hands together tightly, 

thumb over thumb, and holding the pose? 

Is it the writing that I have been doing by hand? 

I just googled thumb grip, and I know it is not sore due to gaming. 

I am unsure of the culprit; however, I am listening to my thumb, 

and loosening my grip. 

Winner, winner

Walking into the meeting room, 

I was excited to see that there was going to be a raffle. 

I wrote my name and included an explanation point!

After lunch, 

it was decided to begin the raffle,

 as there were many goodies to be raffled off.

The biggest prize was going to go at the end of the meeting. 

Tickets were drawn and names announced.

Each time my name wasn't announced

I thought to myself, I am going to win the big prize. 

With six tickets left in the container, it was time to get back to the agenda.

At the very end, 

it was time for the big prize- a Bloxels kit. 

Finally, 

my name was announced.

It must have been the exclamation point! 

Simple Things

It has been 15 months since undertaking the no clothes shopping challenge. 

As I result the only store that I regularly shop at is the grocery store. 

The other day I was running errands with my daughter.

On her list was hangars. 

I began rambling about how long it had been since I had been in TJ Maxx, 

talking animatedly 

about the fact that I was about to walk in the store 

that I had not made any purchases in for over a year

and how I was prepared not to buy anything. 

I was there as part of her errand. 

She turns to me and says "It's for hangars mom. Don't get excited."

And I had to burst out laughing.

Brief

Keeping it brief. 

I don't think it is supposed to take 2 hours today, 

Plus another hour from the other day 

to write a two page brief. 

That is all I can muster, 

after wrestling with a brief. 

Melting

There is nothing better than scooping out a large spoonful of peanut butter out of the jar, 

placing the spoon in your mouth, 

and letting the peanut butter melt in your mouth, 

savoring the awesomeness 

and remembering days from your youth, 

when you used to do the same thing 

after a long day 

to melt your worries away. 

Finish Line in Sight

A couple of finish lines are in my sight,

a project that I am wrapping up, 

taxes,

a homework assignment, 

And the slice of life challenge. 

So close, 

yet, 

at this time is where I feel like I have nothing left to give. 

Too much noise.

I must take care

to listen to the voice inside, 

"You got this.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Chunk it.

Just keep going. 

Progress over perfection. 

Finish strong." 

Thinking about the races I have run, 

and the feeling you get when you see the finish, 

yet are still unsure how you will ever cross it. 

"Just put one foot in front of the other."

Trip to Rita's

The first trip of the season is always a trip down memory lane. 

Favorite flavors from the previous season are debated.

Spring is in the air and it is time for Rita's. 

What will it be today?

A large vanilla custard gelati with mango and wild black cherry ice.

Always Leaving Something Part 2

Popping my trunk,

I see my yoga bag. 

Still trying to solve the mystery of the breakfast left behind. 

The faint scent of bananas 

fills the air. 

Where is it coming from? 

Bringing the yoga bag into the house, 

I start emptying the bag of dirty clothes. 

The scent of bananas becomes stronger and then

Viola! 

Mystery solved. 

I assumed I left my breakfast from the day before at the studio. 

Instead, 

I left it behind

in the deep bottom of my bag. 

Now where is my mouse? 

Always Leaving Something

Once it was my yoga mat, 

then my Fitbit and watch, 

my coat, 

my conditioner, 

my towel.

Always leaving something. 

Trying to check 

and double check

before leaving class- 

Have I left anything?

Of course, today I should have triple checked, 

stomach growling, after

my breakfast

left behind

Always leaving something. 

What Is It That Makes You That Way?

"What is it that makes you that way?" 

Reading inspirational books, 

listening to the whispers between the pages, 

wrestling with the ideas and concepts

searching for the takeaway- 

the call to action,

the gentle nudge,

the heart imprint 

influencing the next steps of the journey.

God working through the words in the book.

That is what makes me this way.

The question was posed in today's Dynamic Catholic post: Necessary, Possible, Impossible. 

Educare

Educare...

to draw out

with

questions, 

example, 

stories.

Envisioning the drawing out 

as a thread, 

that when pulled,

keeps advancing,  

sometimes quickly, 

and at other times

more slowly-

tugging the thread gently

as the tangle releases.

Aha! 

Inspired by today's Dynamic Catholic reflection titled Virtuous. 

Underneath Everything I Own

Months ago I listened to the audiobook 

The More of Less, 

then passed it to my husband. 

Conversations around the content 

inspired minimizing- 

29 minutes,

a day, 

to tackle the mountain.

Today

taking a crack at the mountain, 

Having set the timer for 29 minutes

discovering a box 

of misplaced items.

Where did this come from?

Pulling out an item at a time, 

Ahh, this must be from the clean out of his car. 

And as I looked down at the audiobook, 

I realized that there was more to the title, The More of Less-

Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own.

Did I mention that the audiobook was from the library? 

Also...did I mention that when I received the overdue notice

I swore that the item had been returned? 

Still searching for the life I want under everything I own. 

Which picture

Which picture best represents...

...something you are grateful for?

As an opening activity,

this was the story card I chose. 

From the other photographs, 

the photograph of the donuts stood out,

for the photograph

told a story that

no one else could imagine. 

Celebratory donuts to celebrate an engagement.

The donuts have been eaten, 

the engagement continues to be celebrated. 

Spiritual Journal

Quietly writing 

in my spiritual journal. 

When I finish writing this morning's reflection, 

I read my entry 

from last year's spiritual journal.

The number in the left hand corner catches my eye. 

126. 

On March 17, 2018, 

126 was the total number of days

in the streak of writing in my spiritual journal. 

Quickly adding 365 to that number, 

the streak stands at 491 days today, 

reading,

reflecting, 

writing, 

reading, 

reflecting, 

in my spiritual journal. 

Celebratory Donuts

A typical Saturday, went to Bikram Yoga, ran some errands, came home, tidied up a bit, and then my son and his girlfriend came over. 

We hung out as a family, catching up on our week since we were last together.  As we sat in the kitchen, having just devoured a tray of Chik Fila chicken strips, my husband came home from visiting his mom. 

There was a box of Duck Donuts on the table.  Duck Donuts is a treat that we have when we are in the Outer Banks.  It is rare for us to have them any other time of year.

My husband bounds into the kitchen and yells "Duckie donuts!"

Danny says "They are celebratory donuts.  We are engaged."

There was so much going on at one time. It took a moment to register. 

"What did you just say?" I asked. 

Kayla held up her hand and and displayed the ring. 

I wish I had recorded the moment.  We all looked at each other and broke out into wide smiles, hugging each other. 

"I think I should say welcome to the family.  However, you have been part of our family from the beginning. I am so happy for you."  

At this Moment

This morning setting out on my intention walk. 

At this moment, 

aware of the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees 

and how it sounds slightly different when it rustles through the bushes. 

At this moment, 

aware of the slow-moving car making its way down the road, 

like it was sleepy and wanted to savor being the only car on the road.

At this moment, 

aware that the birds have started to sing, 

with one being louder than the rest, 

abruptly being woken up.

At this moment, 

noticing the light on at a neighbor's house, 

earlier than usual. 

At this moment, 

as I approach my house, 

noticing the feeling of home washing over me. 

At this moment has become my mantra today after being inspired by a post by dmsherriff from her blog Let's Observe. 

For whom do I write?

For whom do I write? 

Each morning I start my day reading

my daily email from Dynamic Catholic 

then

writing in my spiritual journal. 

During Lent,

watching and listening to the 

The Best Lent Ever,

then

writing in my spiritual journal.

For whom do I write? 

The spiritual journal calls me 

every morning and 

I answer, 

then put it back on the shelf. 

It is now calling me to share.

Shall I answer? 

Am I brave enough? 

For whom do I write? 

Choices

My husband and I finally decided after 2 years of having a bathroom that was not useable, to take the plunge and remodel. Today was the day to make all of the smaller choices on how we want the bathroom to look. 

I wanted to honor any opinions he had, and I even asked him to make some decisions.  So I would ask him, hoping he would choose what I would choose.  Some choices I was able to give over to him completely.  Others, I would subtly try to push him towards my choice.  And I recognize that sometimes I had to take back my offer of having him make the final decision.  

As we continue forward, my goal is to acknowledge his opinion and compromise more.

Home

It was as if I stepped back in time 

today.

Called upon at the last minute 

to teach an art class.

A number of years having passed since that room has been my 

home. 

Scrambling to find 

a dry erase marker, 

pencils,

and erasers 

within the room that was no longer my 

home.

Bringing a basket of Elephant and Piggie books

plus a few Pigeon

to a waiting group of first graders,

we began. 

Which character would be easiest to draw? 

Hmmm. 

Pointer fingers as pencils, 

watch me, then you

draw.  

Home. 

Supplies distributed, 

students read, 

asked questions, 

and drew, 

and colored, 

and added 

backgrounds, 

conversation bubbles, 

and other details. 

Home. 

As the day 

and the class 

ended, 

it was as though I was 

Home, 

already. 

Long Drives

Today offered a change in routine-

A different road to take.

Time to discover the blessings of a longer commute for just one day.

Time to become engrossed in an audiobook.

Remembering other trips down these roads, 

Different scenery to frame my daydreams. 

On the return trip, having processing time to reflect on my day,

then becoming engrossed again in the audiobook.

Grateful for routine busters. 

New to Me

A little background information. In the beginning of 2018, I read an article about a year of no shopping. I became intrigued.  Often I would go walk around the closest store to me and just browse for nothing in particular.  Sometimes I would buy something, sometimes not.  The whole concept of time wasted just browsing for something I didn't need hit home.  Plus I had enough clothes already.  So I clarified what the challenge would look like for me.  

I decided that I would not buy any clothes for a year, the effect being that I did not spend any time browsing. Instead I spent that time with my family, reading, decluttering, and being present.  

At the beginning of this year, I decided to extend my streak for another year. Thinking that as I start to notice items that need to be replenished, I would create a list and at end of year decide if I need to shop.

Today my son's girlfriend brought over 4 shopping bags filled with clothes she no longer wears.  Jackpot!  I have started to go through the bags and have selected a few new to me items. I am grateful for her thinking of me.  Now I know that I can continue the no clothes shopping challenge for probably two more years.  

Family Gatherings

Today I attended a family gathering celebrating my Uncle's 80th birthday.  Stories abounded, whether catching up or reminiscing, connecting or reconnecting. 

As I listened to my aunts tell stories about my parents, I was grateful that I still had them as a resource to learn more about my parent's, as they have been gone for a long time. 

I was reminded how fortunate I was to have them, as they were my greatest cheerleaders.  When I was younger, I became involved with swimming.  As I talked with my aunt, she shared with me how my dad would tell everyone that someday my sister and I would be in the Olympics.  He had such confidence that we would be successful in whatever we attempted-proud parents. 

So today as we gathered to celebrate my uncle, I also felt that through the stories that were shared, the lives of my parents were also celebrated. 

Friday's Blessings

TGIF! 

Brain fried. 

Today was a whirl of activity.

A few highlights stand out...

A parent donating 10- 24 inch monitors,

Training a group of third graders on how to video using SeeSaw,

Having a line of students using the curb to do a step run during the Daily Mile, 

8th grade students swapping out the small monitors for newly donated monitors, 

A student sharing how the Raspberry Pi component works, 

A student saying he heard Raspberry Pi tasted good, 

Students engaged and working on coding, 

Taking a class to Stations of the Cross, 

Snowing at dismissal, 

A student sharing an umbrella with me. 

At home now, emptying the contents of my brain, 

breathing, 

and grateful for the gifts of today. 

Patience

Today was one of those days at work where everything was a blur. I ran from one commitment to the next, with no time to reflect. 

Now that I am home, as I am waiting on the phone to speak to a representative (20 minutes and counting), I have been given the gift of time that I did not have earlier in the day. For that, I am grateful. 

Fasting

"What are you giving up?" asked a group of seventh graders. 

"Social media." I replied. 

Dead silence, then a long "ohhhhh".

What I didn't explain to them was that I have an exception.  I need to go to Twitter once a day to post my slice of life challenge.  Nothing more, no scrolling, no searching, no checking, no liking, no retweeting, no comments. 

In the meantime, after the "ohhhhh", they nodded their heads, considering if they too can fast from social media. 

Seed planted. 

Fat Tuesday

Pancakes, 

blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, 

and bananas.

Breakfast of champions.

Pasta, more fruit, and cake for lunch, 

with a late afternoon round of more cake, 

topped with a bowl of cheez its

and a bag of potato chips. 

Ending my day with a bowl of tomato stoup. 

After looking at my day, I can see were my waistline begins to expand, 

right in the middle.

Time squeeze

Can I squeeze anymore time out of my day? 

After a full day of work, I came home from work and began helping my husband sort through his thoughts as he was writing a speech.  Two hours helping him type and write were then followed by a video call. 

I hadn't allotted anytime for dinner, so I began the video call trying to scarf down my dinner.  I got creative with eating, by holding the book we were talking about in front of my face so I could chew.  

As I sit here, with four hours until the clock strikes midnight, I am contemplating how I can get my nightly gratitude walk in, meet my daily challenge of taking 29 minutes to tackle a spot in my house, and do a load of laundry.  

Time to try to squeeze as much as I can out of the remainder of the night. 

Sunday mornings

Sunday mornings 

begin with a before the sunrise walk with Smalls, 

listening as the birds begin to awaken from their slumber. 

Then it is off to church,

arriving early to pray,

fellowship, 

serve in ministry

and experience Mass. 

Upon returning home, 

I am greeted by family 

and drawn into an ever-evolving conversation. 

Today it's all things about Grace.

Usually a healthy breakfast is waiting. 

Today's breakfast-Rainbow Chip cake, tea, milk, and water.

Multiple conversations occurring simultaneously until everyone is full.

I set the timer for 29 minutes to tackle a space in the house.

The alarm singals that it is time to pause, and

prepare for Yin and 

as I travel to class, I reflect on my full heart 

and the time spent before class, 

grateful and pleased for a productive morning, 

 

Birthday Girl

Today is my baby girl's birthday. 

Well actually, my baby is no longer a baby and my students think she is my sister. 

As I drove her to brunch, listening to her and her friends chat about their lives, I commented that they should write down these moments. 

Why? 

Because the stories they were telling were not only entertaining, they shed light as to who each of them were at their core.  I was blessed today to hear their stories as they celebrated my baby girl's birthday.

Slice of Life Challenge

Quests, challenges, streaks. 

Manageable changes for periods of time-

Some short,

I can do anything for 29 days, 

to longer stretches, 

months, 

years, 

becoming lifelong threads 

of the fabric of me. 

Juggling two challenges, 

a quest, 

and two streaks. 

Challenge 1- Taking 29 minutes each day, 

For 29 days,

To completely give myself over to my house

And tackle a spot. 

Right now my closet has been the spot for the past three nights. 

Challenge 2- slice of life challenge for the month of March. 

In January I successfully wrote a post every day about a significant moment.  

Maybe the month of March entries will focus on moments well spent. 

Continuing into year 2 of my quest of 

No Clothes Shopping!  

Streaks I never want to end...

Writing in my spiritual journal every morning, 

Starting the day with and intention walk, 

And ending the day with my nightly gratitude walk. 

Quests, challenges, and streaks, 

slices of my life. 

I'll Always say Yes to...

Yes.  

Things with an answer of yes.

A cup of Rooibos tea

Coconut donuts, peanut butter cookies

Walk,

yoga

Crabs, beer 

Beach

Library 

Watching Survivor

Holding a baby

Book recommendations

Hush puppies with honey

The list is inspired by the work of Kelly Corrigan.

Echoing

Pop's words of wisdom

still manage 

to echo softly.

Life lessons- 

It's not about you. 

Treat others as family. 

Live lovingly, 

which also extends 

 to work lovingly. 

Grateful for his words 

echoing. 

Gift

Forever grateful for 

Having had the gift of my mom.

Thirty one years since.

I have lived longer without my mom, 

than with. 

But oh, how she formed me, 

And continues to influence me.

I see her in my hands, 

my interactions with others,

in the mirror, 

in my children, 

she continues to live on. 

Tell Me More

"Tell me more."

Spilling why they were upset,

with tears and 

strings of emotion laden words.  

"Tell me more."

Continuing the story, 

tears stopping 

breath slowing 

hands relaxing. 

"Tell me more."

And then, 

an additional detail.

"Tell me more." 

Pause. 

Big breath in, 

"That's all." 

"Are you ready to head back and try again?"

Nodding head. 

I am currently reading Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I Am Learning to Say by Kelly Corrigan.  I had the opportunity to practice "Tell me more" with a student who was upset, and it worked.  Initially the telling involved words between tears. Each time there was a pause, I responded with "Tell me more."  The tears dried up; calmness blanketed the student, which supported his transition back into the class. 

Trust

"Trust is the on-ramp to learning" 

thinking on my past and present learning experiences, 

When the foundation of trust, 

the building block of relationships,

the safety net, 

the guardrail, 

has been present, 

merging onto the highway 

of learning is easier.

I know that wherever I am going, 

I have a guide, 

who will keep me safely on the highway 

of becoming the best version of myself.

I was listening to a video on Culturally Responsive Teaching by Zaretta Hammond.  "Trust is the on-ramp to learning" continues to ring in my ears. 

Find your stillness

Find your stillness.

On this frigid morning, 

overheated at hot yoga,

the instructor keeps going back to this phrase.

Find your stillness. 

And as I make my way through the poses, 

the words keep coming, 

Find your stillness. 

And as my mind starts wandering, 

spinning, 

the words take root.

Find your stillness.

Breath.

Be present. 

Still.

Pause

Pause, 

breath, 

try to understand a different perspective. 

Pause, 

breath, 

reflect.

Pause, 

breath, 

remember your mission.

Pause, 

breath, 

release.

Pause, 

breath, 

plan next steps. 

Pause, 

breath, 

proceed.

Repeat as necessary. 

Listening

Listening or reading a book

words, 

phrases,

sentences

whisper

or loudly announce 

their entrance into the

consciousness of the brain

or the soul of the heart. 

Today the words were 

"Things that seem hard to do, often dissolve when you do them" 

Thank you Sarah Ban Breathnach. 

Peace.

Audience

Writing for myself, 

am able to give myself over to it. 

Writing for an instructor, 

agonizing over every word and  punctuation mark, 

wrestling with the format and the content, 

it consumes me with a feeling of inadequacy.

Yet I need to give myself over to the process, 

knowing that growth comes through struggles. 

Hurry part 2

And in the hurriedness of daily life, 

Things get forgotten and dropped.

Forgiveness.

Reset.

Restart. 

Hurry

Always in such a hurry to get from point A to point B.

And when we have a complaint always in a hurry to let someone know.  

Yet, when we have a compliment, an acknowledgement of a job well done,

We say we are going to let someone know, but often it gets put at the bottom of our list. 

Today the salesperson at the auto parts store went out of his way to make me feel like I had his full attention and provided excellent service.  I thought to myself that I needed to write a note expressing my gratitude.  So instead of it being put at the bottom of the list, It was put at the top, because kindness and gratitude grows. 

Food for Thought

My significant moment for today occurred at the end of the lunch shift. There she sat with a grumpy face and a mad posture.  The small amount of food that was in the lunch box was old and stale. 

Having not eaten, she was hungry. Yet it was time to return to class. As her class returned to the classroom, we went in search of food in the teacher's lounge.  In ten minutes time, she ate and talked. The grumpiness left.  Having enough to eat and someone to talk to brought peace.

Listening for understanding

Listen. 

As the story is poured out, 

listen,

for in that moment holds the storyteller's truth.

Breath and understand that a reply is not always needed. 

Let the understanding sink in. 

Pick one

The instructor's words have been ringing in my ears since class.

"Pick one." 

The intricacies of each pose, 

falling out, 

deciding this is the one that will never be my favorite. 

"Pick one of your least favorite as a focus for your practice for the year." 

Change your perspective. 

"This is the pose in which I will have the most growth."

Acknowledge where you are. 

"Listen carefully. Be open to growth." 

Inspired.

The words continue to ring outside the yoga studio. 

"Pick one." 

Twenty two days ago I picked my one word 

"Preparation" 

Now it's time to focus on the area in which preparation is a challenge. 

"This is the area which holds the greatest potential for growth."

Acknowledge where I am- overwhelmed with maintenance. 

"Listen carefully. Be open to growth."

Inspired. 

Wrestling

Listening to the audiobook

the question woke me.

Turning off the audiobook

repeating it over and over

"If I were moving

instead of cleaning

would I take it with me?"

Cleaning and simplifying

now with another criteria from which to evaluate.

Moving to the next level in wrestling with objects. 

The audiobook that I am listening to is Peace and Plenty by Sarah Ban Breathnach. 

Stories

Stories,

a connection, 

a bridge, 

to passions, 

to ideals.

Share

your successes 

and your struggles

in your stories.

Capture the stories.

Think, what am I supposed to pull from it?

Learn the lessons they teach. 

Safe harbors

When did it change?

When did a worry free childhood cease to exist

and safety drills for active shooters begin?

Somewhere in between 

dignity, 

belonging, 

significance, 

inclusion in a larger community, 

somewhere in between 

a safe harbor disappeared. 

A safe harbor where all are welcomed,

isolation does not exist. 

All are called to the table

because everyone belongs. 

Everyone is loved and

Lives lovingly.

Turn back the clocks, 

identify the when, 

change the direction,

become a safe harbor. 

I spent the morning being introduced to the ALICE safety protocol for an active shooter. I grieve for the loss of the worry free childhood. 

 

Dear deer

Pausing to see the beauty that greets me every morning

as I walk.

The light had not yet shone,

as I walked down the hill,

taking in the peaceful stillness that surrounded me.

Lifting my gaze farther down the hill,

I see the deer stopped in its tracks.

Then another jumps into view, 

and then 

Another.

I stop in my tracks to watch.

They begin to jump and prance across the front yard, 

at the bottom of the hill. 

The dog then sees them and wants to investigate.

I hold her off for a few minutes as we watch them dance across the snow covered yard

underneath the light of the streetlight,

and the stars above. 

As we approach, 

they head to the safety of the woods,

playfully, jumping, leaping across the fence and underbrush.

I am filled with gratitude

that this is my neighborhood,

on a quiet morning,

on a quiet street,

on a cold, snowy morning, 

hosting a play date for the deer, 

and I witnessed the beauty of what God created.

Shoes

Putting oneself 

in another's shoes

brings realization 

of what excites and inspires you,

may not excite and inspire others.

And that is going to have to be okay, for today, 

For tomorrow, I will ask a few questions 

and listen more. 

Reset, refresh, renew

Are you still an ambassador?

The prompt

stopped me.

Am I? 

Yes, I am.

Still passionate about it, 

Use it every day.

So I had to pause,

reflect

revisit, 

refresh my knowledge, 

relearn, 

reset my vision, goals

And in doing so,

I became reenergized. 

And as I reflect on my significant moment, which had to do with a professional learning certification,

I thought of my continuing faith journey.  Am I an ambassador? Yes!  Time to spend some time in the classroom of silence and reflect. 

Quest

Years ago it started,

with a book,

The Happiness of Pursuit.

A quest. 

 the yearly Oscar quest has begun 

to see all of the Oscar nominees

before the winners are announced. 

Ahead of the nominees announced, 

determining which ones to begin seeing. 

Initially, I embarked on this quest with a friend. 

Three years ago my family joined me on this quest.

Shared experiences, 

shared boxes of candy, 

lingering conversations, 

discussions,

comparing year to year nominations

movies that spoke to our hearts, 

connections to our lives, 

our family, 

our shared history. 

Treasured gold.

The quest has begun, and for that I am grateful. 

Gift

Expected,

Yet unexpected.

Snow blanketing the day,

a day of rest and relaxation.

Walking through the snow, 

marveling at the quiet stillness, 

the beauty of the blanket of the snow,

listening to my heart. 

Grateful for the gift of today, 

the gift of time, 

the gift of silence,

the gift of seeing the surrounding beauty of creation,

the gift of life.

Listening to my heart.

Big Picture

Give yourself over to it.

To the fact

that sometimes your thoughts

go in a million different directions.

Capture them, 

acknowledge them, 

then breath.

Settle.

Breath again.

Connect the dots, 

if you can. 

Then see the big picture, 

marvel, 

then give yourself over to what is calling you now. 

Time to play

Opening the front door, 

Still transitioning mentally from work to home

Smalls energetically greets me and leads/follows me into the kitchen, 

swats at the bell on the sliding glass door

until I open it. 

Bursting, running, barking, digging, 

Smalls is reveling in the freedom.

And when it is time to come in, 

she resists. 

Trudging out to retrieve her

she senses 

I am still mentally transitioning to the weekend.

Picking up the biggest stick, 

she looks at me

daring me to chase. 

And so it begins, 

a chase of joy.

Reminding me to let go

and play. 

A Tiny Voice

As I opened the car door for one of our youngest students, I heard 

"You don't always get a treat for behaving."

 a small voice incredulously asked

"You don't?" 

It was the sweetest moment to have witnessed

as the youngest was trying to negotiate 

the home-school connection. 

"You behave because it is the right thing to do." 

"Ohhhh." 

and as she exited the car, 

she excitedly ran into school. 

Taking care

Tears,

pouring down her face

with tiny gasps of air 

between

breaths.

"What's wrong?"

unleashes more tears. 

Across the lunch room, 

big brother walks over

places hand on shoulder, 

lowers to her eye level, 

and kindly, gently nudges her to unleash her worries. 

Having laid her worries down

she was now ready 

for the remainder of the day.

The interaction between the siblings was a reminder of the power of listening for understanding and of having a support person. 

Rays of light

Walking into the classroom

I noticed the second graders engrossed in their work, 

quietly coloring.

Wandering, 

noticing the work before them, 

The Act of Contrition, 

I bent down and asked what they were learning. 

"The Act of Contrition" piped up one student.

"We have to memorize it" piped up the other.

I asked "Do you know it?"

I was delighted as two students, 

eager to demonstrate their learning, 

began to recite it, 

not once, 

but twice. 

Each time their faces shone a little bit brighter, 

as they basked in their faith. 

Balance

As we were getting the dog ready to go on our nightly gratitude walk, she casually stated "I think I have figured out my one word for the new year." 

Before Christmas, I had placed a copy of One Word That Will Change Your Life on her pillow. 

"Oh.  What have you decided on?" 

"Balance." 

"That is a great word.  I had that as mine a few years ago."

"Should I change mine?" 

"No. One words are words that fit for that person right now.  Right now, balance fits you.  This year my one word is preparations." 

And with that we set out on our nightly gratitude walk, continuing our conversation.

Both of us taking steps in meeting, focusing, and embracing our one word. 

Grace finding balance between the demands of work and self-care,

And for me, 

mentally preparing as she is prepares to launch. 

Soup Sunday

The soup gathers us.

The soup is discussed at breakfast.

What's it going to be this week?

Ideas are offered, 

discussed, 

then decided.

List made, 

trip to store, 

ingredients gathered.

A continuing conversation while

chopping, 

assembling, 

stirring, 

boiling, 

simmering. 

Cover and cook.

Conversations continuing,

as the soup simmers,

occasionally stirring,

all influencing each other, 

bringing out the best in each other. 

Conversations continuing

as soup is ladled and brought to the table. 

This week the gathering is in the living room

as we sit knee to knee, watching the game. 

Grateful for the nourishment 

from the soup and 

our conversations. 

Cleaning up, 

conversations continuing, 

as the leftovers make their way into smaller containers for lunches.

Planning our daily nourishment.

Gathered together, 

our conversations

celebrate the many facets of the gift of Sundays.

Intentions

Reading compels me to consider the word ... aspire

Walking with purpose in the early morning darkness,

        a daily routine to set my intention, 

                 for the past 18 months, 

                       now. 

Thoughts interrupted and expanded.

Setting is casting, 

         casting an anchor into the sea of fast-moving currents,

The anchor bringing me back to the intention.

What is the intention calling me to accomplish?   

To aspire, 

        to notice, 

                    to return, 

                                to practice. 

Significant moments also calling me 

To aspire, 

        to notice, 

                    to return, 

                                 to practice mindfulness.

(This post was inspired by a reading selection from Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness A Guide For Anyone Who Teaches Anything by Deborah Schoeberlein) 

 

                   

Previously I 

   

        setting 

When casting my intention

 

Friday Night Praise

Welcome,

An introduction

Time to praise, 

Time for prayer, 

Listening time. 

Choices 

stand, sit, kneel, bow

Sing, reflect,

Listen.

Being still at the end of the week. 

Breath slows, 

                      deepens. 

Thoughts slow, 

                      deepens. 

Deepened.

It is in the listening

comes understanding- 

Listening 

       through songs 

            and reading, 

                   the spiritual whispers 

                         directed to my 

                                heart,

                             thoughts, 

                                Soul.

Another step in my day,

                    On my spiritual journey.

Continue to share with others. 

          

On the First Friday of each month, the church offers a Friday Night Praise program, which served as a significant moment.

          

              

Is this it?

Spent day searching

And 

Wondering...

Is this it?

Is this the significant moment?

And in doing so

Not being truly present.

Too preoccupied with 

Is this it? 

Is this what I will write about? 

Process over product.

Present over future to do. 

Breathe and let go. 

There is a time for reflection,

And a time for being truly present. 

This is it. 

Smaller than a moment

Even smaller than a moment

Seconds...

That served as a reminder

The significance of small moments.

She was temporarily lost in a daze, 

Patiently waiting.

Handing the lunch bag over the table

She straightened, 

reached

 and 

smiled. 

A smile that can not be easily described, 

Yet a smile that left an imprint. 

Eyes reflecting joy.

Yes! 

Time to eat.

Yes! 

A switch, 

A reminder,

To be fed with small moments of joy.

I was on lunch duty and the student's reaction to receiving her hot lunch had me pause and think how grateful I am to be there.  I witnessed pure joy. 

Inner leads outward

Inner voice

Rewrite the narrative. 

The story you tell yourself.

Starting from within-

The thoughts,

Ideas, 

Beliefs,

Revisit where they are leading you towards.

Envision where you want to be.

Chart a course, 

Starting with "You are here".

Inward changes, 

Changes mindset, 

Leading to subtle changes

In routines, habits, daily living,

A change in direction, 

Altering the course, 

Evidenced outwardly. 

This significant moment is a result of attending Daily Mass and ruminating on the Homily. 

Significant Moments

For the past couple of years, I have been using the Prayer Process by Matthew Kelly.  Recently I have been reflecting on how to capture the impact of step 3, significant moments.  

Yesterday I listened to a podcast by Jon Gordon and James Clear in which James's book Atomic Habits was discussed.

A collision of ideas.  

2 minute rule

(Been challenging myself to change my bed time routine. 

I can do anything for 29 days. 

A month ago, I returned the cable box that was in my bedroom. 

No more watching television as I try to fall asleep. 

Done.

Now I have an additional tweak, as a result of listening to James.

I put the book that I am reading on my pillow case.)

Last night, after having stayed up to see the ball drop, 

I climbed into bed, 

my head hit the book, 

my hand reached for the book light, 

and I read.

A page of ideas digested

then time for sleep.

And as I awoke this morning, 

I realized that I could apply the 2 minute rule

to further capture significant moments. 

Carve 2 minutes from my morning routine to capture 

what I have spent time in prayer reflecting on.

What did I experience yesterday, and 

What might God be trying to tell me? 

Significant Moments meet Atomic Habits.

So for the next 29 days, 

I am going to blog about my significant moments 

And see where it takes me.