Tag Archives: life

r e s t

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Every trip we have taken to a different locale far away from our familiar territory is a pause in Life’s normalcy. Some trips are exciting and invigorating while a few may be endurance travels, but the thing to remember is that we are removed from our comfort zone.

Recently, we visited a tropical country with jungles, exotic wildlife, oceans and beaches, and a very different standard of day-to-day living. Such a vacation was enjoyable and educational, and at the same time humbling as we are reminded once again how blessed we are to live freely, safely, having our needs met (and so much more than we really need to live a full life).

Not all vacations are continually restful nor peaceful, but they do allow us to pause and hopefully return a bit refreshed-after recovering from the traveling aspect of distant destinations! Moving to a different city or country can result in the same feelings after the settling-in process is completed. I wonder at times what it is that prompts me to explore places not yet seen or even known to me until research has revealed them. I suspect, like many of you, that I seek a bit of adventure, enlightenment, engagement, challenge and rest. Upon my return from some idyllic destination, I seem to be more energized, wanting to repeat the trip in the future. However, there have been a few vacations and trips which taught me a great deal more about myself but which I have no desire to repeat. This is to be expected simply because the ups and downs of vacations and trips mimic our daily lives. Few of us ascend to a bucolic alpine meadow and remain there indefinitely.

Rest can be elusive and even uncomfortable, especially for us ‘doers’ whom always need something to focus on in order to be distracted from the unpleasantries of our trials and failures. Boredom has become a neglected part of our lives and seems to negatively affect our psyches, especially in our energized world of instantaneous gratification. But I am learning that to be bored has its’ advantages, forcing us to put the smart phone and computer down, turn off the news and so-called influencers, and simply pause and imagine this life we have been given to experience. And, what we have to offer in return.

I recently came across this devotion from John Ruskin which speaks of musical ‘rests’ and how we perceive similar pauses in our daily journeys. I find his analogy sublime.

There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life the music is separated here and there by rests. During those rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song. God sends us times of leisure by allowing sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts. He brings a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that our voices must be silent. We grieve that our part is missing in the music that continually rises to the ear of our Creator. Yet, how does a musician read the rest? He counts the break with unwavering precision and plays his next note with confidence, as if no pause were ever there.

T I M E

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Time seems to be a man-made concept created to give our lives some sort of logical order. Our existence in this time-like environment is similar to a blip on a radar screen, but a glorious one, at that. I have thought a great deal about time this past year. Too many deaths; some expected and some sudden. Most passings are of the older crowd, but a few are far too young to have occurred, but they did.

This is not a morbid post even though I speak of death. No pun intended, but death is a fact of this life. What we accomplish and who we become, between birth and death, is deemed by many as a way to define us. We may become financially successful, intellectually and/or academically prominent, creative beyond our wildest imaginations, philanthropic to an excess we can’t comprehend, athletically superb, or simply average (as are most of us). But what of our very essence; the most significant aspect of who and what we really are – our souls?

Today is my dad’s birthday. He would have been one hundred years old had he lived past his sixtieth birthday. I was a young man when he died. I have outlived him in years, yet memories abound even though I spent less than a third of my time with dad while he was alive. Time…what does it really mean?

Recently, I watched a documentary called Blue Zones which is about Centenarians. The researcher identified half a dozen areas around the world where the populations lived well past their mid-nineties and had above average health. It was insightful to learn what dynamics shaped their longevity and good quality of life, and I came away realizing that I can put into practice much of what I learned. However, my goal is quality over longevity, but to have both could be a bonus.

Several songs about Time have been playing in my head: Time by Pink Floyd is probably the most notable song about this concept. Jim Croce’s Time in a Bottle is beautiful. Another rock song is Fly Like and Eagle by The Steve Miller band where Steve sings about time slipping away. Then, there is this Alan Jackson song which melts my heart when I hear it, and as I sing along with Alan, who wrote it. Rather than sing it, I chose to list the lyrics below. I hope it causes you to reconsider Time. Enjoy!

Remember when I was young and so were you. And time stood still and love was all we knew. You were the first, so was I. We made love and then you cried. Remember when.

Remember when we vowed the vows and walked the walk. Gave our hearts, made the start and it was hard. We lived and learned, life threw curves. There was joy, there was hurt. Remember when.

Remember when old ones died and new were born. And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged. We came together, fell apart, and broke each other’s hearts. Remember when.

Remember when the sound of little feet was the music we danced to week to week. Brought back the love, we found trust. Vowed we’d never give it up. Remember when.

Remember when thirty seemed so old. Now lookin’ back, it’s just a steppin’ stone. To where we are, where we’ve been. Said we’d do it all again. Remember when.

Remember when we said when we turned gray. When the children grow up and move away. We won’t be sad, we’ll be glad. For all the life we’ve had. And we’ll remember when.

For Cheryl

An Abrupt Change of Scenery

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Heavy snow laden branches stretching out as if grasping for something to hold them up. The previous day these same branches were void of anything but a few birds and squirrels. Winter asserted herself with a vicious storm which swept across much of the continent.

As I study these tree branches; roots, mycelium, and tendrils come to mind. Even human nerves and blood vessels seemingly appear as these thread-like tenacles. The snow clings to bark like urchins to rocks. After the snow stopped and the temperature dipped, the wind gusted heavily, and the snow began to fall, but not all of it.

Like all storms, calm eventually replaces havoc. The sun will shine tomorrow, but remnants of clouds will still float by to remind us of nature’s fury. I shudder when I contemplate what it would be like to be trapped in the wilderness during such a storm; with no shelter, no food, inadequate clothing, lacking reassuring direction, no cell phone, and faced with the prospect of trying to survive by my own wits. Would I be up to the task? Would I lose hope and perish? Or would I rise to the occasion and push on until I found relief?

I may never experience such an ordeal, but I want to believe that I would push on and survive…to live another day. Whether the quest be called courage, ‘the will to survive’, or sheer stubbornness, the result would be the same…appreciation for another opportunity to breathe, to laugh, to not squander the precious time I have left in my life. I certainly don’t know what tomorrow (or even the rest of today) may offer me in the way of challenges or blessings, but what I do know is this: cherish each pleasant moment and make wonderful memories with those we love most.

e v a n e s c e n t

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The new year, 2024, has dawned, and has prompted me to think about 2023 and what lies ahead. No resolutions or singing Old Lang Syne with drunken friends. Nor did I watch the big ball drop at the stroke of midnight in Times Square or shoot off fireworks. Boring, I know, but January 1st is just another day, no more profound than any other day, but no less profound, either. For some, 2023 was a banner year, and for far too many it was the opposite. Based on various polling, it appears that many of us look to the future with a bit of trepidation as uncertainty looms in every sphere of our personal and collective lives. Fear, mistrust, disunity, anger and hostility in what were once peaceful places has replaced feelings of security and optimism.

However, I believe we know intuitively that physiologically abandoning ship is not a good option. We cannot lose hope for a better tomorrow. At the same time, I believe it is imperative that we understand our earthly lives are transient. As the Apostle James stated, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes.” A realistic perspective is vital in moving forward during the coming year; not a doomsday outlook, but an honest one.

Evanescent is an apt word to describe our world and our existence. The literary definition means “something that will soon be passing out of sight, memory, or existence: quickly fading or disappearing: a shimmering evanescent bubble”. The physics’ definition denotes “a field or wave that extends into a region where it cannot propagate and whose amplitude therefore decreases with distance”.

There is nothing particularly special about these photographs, except for how they tie into the definition as stated above. Most everyone has seen clouds pass-by overhead. Eventually, they will dissipate into atmosphere, seen no more. Ocean waves, even Tsunami size waves, eventually dissipate and recede to the body of water they came from with their energy depleted…placidness.

For every sunset there is a sunrise. For every cry there is a laugh. For every valley there is a peak. For every desert there is an oasis. For every tragedy there is miracle. For every broken heart there is a healing salve. And, for every death there is new life. I could expound further, but that’s not necessary. What is imperative, at least in my mind, is that I have come to understand the brevity of life as well as the daily opportunity to experience it sublimely.

I readily acknowledge that I am not living in a war zone nor in extreme poverty nor under oppression. So, many may say that what I have espoused thus far is pollyannish thinking, and I understand this reaction. I also acknowledge that I don’t know how I would react while experiencing such horrific conditions. Like all of you, I have had my share of trials and triumphs this past year, although the trials did seem to be more abundant. But this is a very biased comment. Truth be told, I am blessed in so many ways that I don’t deserve.

Hopelessness is like a cancer as it slowly destroys our souls, dimming our inner light and leaving us bitter and empty. The world is a mess. To say otherwise would be in denial of the obvious. And we can do little to change it in the grand scheme of things. Not what we want to hear, but I believe this is the truth. There is good news, though. I came across this quote yesterday which was made by an anonymous French priest, “God doesn’t ask you to change the world. He asks you to do something much more difficult-to change yourself”. We can attend seminars, devore self-help books, join social media groups, make new year resolutions, etc., but to what avail? I believe the only way for self-change to stick, to be truly successful, is to seek help from the One who knows us most intimately. And, if we allow God to assist us in changing for the better, our world will be affected positively.

Happy New Year !

Hanging by a Thread

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On a warm October day I came across this leaf dangling above a popular local walking trail. Suspended by an invisible thread crafted by an equally invisible spider, this anomaly nearly landed in my hair. Obviously, I stopped to study the leaf, and more importantly, the source of its suspension. With just the right angle of light I saw a single strand of silk draped from tree to tree. The architect/builder was not in sight. I like the contrast of colors and shapes in this scene…such pleasant diversity.

I suddenly thought about how many of us seem to be ‘hanging by a thread’ while traversing this strange road of infection, politics, financial uncertainties, civil unrest, etc. For some, hanging on to normal is a full-time task while others carry-on without too much difficulty. Regardless of one’s station in life, all of us are affected by this period of uncertainty. I suppose we could take solace in the fact that others have experienced similar struggles in the past. However, this truth doesn’t seem to bring much comfort.

What should provide some consolation is knowing that these gray days will pass, as they always do. Waiting is difficult. Peace can be sought in many places and in many ways. I find mine through faith in an Omniscient and Omnipotent power. I hope you find peace.

Monochromatic by Nature

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Well, almost monochromatic, but close. “Where have all the people gone?”  So goes the 1970’s song sung by Joni Mitchell. It is a question that had serious implications (given all of the issues at stake in America and the unrest at that juncture of time).

I looked out my sliding glass door after a light snow, and this is what I found. It was peaceful, and oh, so white. However, as often comes to mind are partial lyrics of days gone by…this happens quite often.

So, I study the Adirondack chairs. And, I study them a bit longer. I wonder where have I gone? What has happened to my life? I feel uncomfortable. But, to not question is an affront to introspection and character. Somehow, I must determine the reasons as to why I feel this way.

Can anyone relate? Lots of questions. So few answers in and of myself. There is One who has all the answers. As I study scripture, I am drawn to conclude, as did James, the brother of Jesus, that “Life is but a mist that appears for a little while and vanishes away”. If that is true then who am I to go through life without considering what is next?

I often look to the future, but of almost equal importance, I look at here and now. I wish I could change many of my past behaviors and consequences, but I cannot. Nor can anyone else. Regrets? Yes. Defeat? No. Healing? Yes, but it takes time. May we all be patient. Don’t forget the power of hope. And, dream in color !

 

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Summer Breeze

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” Summer breeze makes me feel fine, blowin’ through the jasmine in my mind…”               Seals & Crofts 1972

Not a care in the world, these two. Unlike so many in our shattered reality. But, for a moment, pretend you are them. What joy ! Everything is a mystery to be sought out and solved. Life is full and exuberance runs wild.

The earth and the sky, the bugs and the pets, the lakes and the trees, all have significance and are filled with wonder. Time has little meaning and rest comes only after playful exhaustion. Oh, to be a child again !

 

 

Patches of Tangerine

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Have you ever come across a brilliant sky and simply admired the magnificence of it?

Fleeting is the word, and opportunistic is the vehicle to capture such a sight before it changes into a totally different canvas.

As I drove into town this morning, this is what I saw. I had my camera with me in the Jeep so I pulled it over and took a few shots. By the time I made it to my destination the sun had peeked out and the sky looked foreign from only ten minutes before.

Certainly I have taken more dramatic photos of the sky, as have many of you, but this one just appealed to me a lot. The soft streaks of tangerine colored clouds against a faint blue background and the dark side of a large tree line made it irresistible.

Life is rather like the sky…ever changing. Sometimes it is brilliant and at other times it is gloomy. Often it is simply dull. The good news is that, like the sky, our lives do change on a regular basis. I hope your lives illuminate the world as this sunrise did for these clouds!

Slow Burn

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Fire is such an amazing thing to watch…it is almost mesmerizing. The way flames dance and embers burn red hot is exciting to view. The heat generated from fire warms the body while the light illuminates the darkness. Even the crackling of moist wood has a surreal effect upon the soul.

I entitled this post “Slow Burn” for a reason.

Too often we run to conclusions, race to say things we will regret, boil over with anger over big or little matters, become defensive when we take words said innocently but deemed hurtful, react to situations negatively without thinking things through, succumb to bad peer pressure, seek revenge over trivial stuff, and the list goes on and on.

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The “Slow Burn” is just the opposite when it comes to how we react to life’s situations. I’ll be the first to admit that life can dish out a lot of painful garbage. I will also admit that watching a lazy fire burn is soothing to the soul.

It calms the nerves. It makes us forget, at least momentarily, that life isn’t so bad after-all. Relaxation sets in and the cares of this life just burn away with each flicker of flame. The warmth produced burrows deep within and holds us fast to what is good and right. Fires can rage, but eventually they diminish and extinguish. Our lives are like that, too.

Wouldn’t we rather live in the state in between where the fire burns slow and the embers are hot? Where blame has no room and guilt has long melted away? Revenge is dropped and egos fall apart among the glow? That is how I want to live. And, you?

Worn Out Shoes

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I knew a man, Bojangles, and he danced for you, in worn out shoes

Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants, the ‘old soft shoe’

He jumped so high, jumped so high, then he’d lightly touch down

I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was, down and out

He looked to me to be the ‘eyes of age’ as he spoke right out

He talked of life, he talked of life, he laughed and clicked his heels…

 

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1970)