Just Now

“Hope and fear cannot alter the seasons.” – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

I envy those folks who can remain present in the moment, not affected by the past or the future. In scripture, we read ( in Matthew 6:25-34) about worry and needless preoccupation with the future. Especially helpful to me is verse 34. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

None of us need to add to the unsettled times in which we are living. There are troubles enough for today without us adding anything else. Our happiness, our peace is a moment by moment response to learning from what falls to us.

To counteract minds that drift from the past to the future, a habit to cultivate is experiencing the present or to put it more simply – to fully embrace this moment whatever it brings. There are all sorts of books and authorities on how to experience being in the present moment, not connecting the past or future to just now. Mindfulness training and learning to be present are big business these days.

Common Sense Solutions

To jump start the process of experiencing the present, try these no-muss, no-fuss common sense solutions.

  1. Sit somewhere that is comfortable. Devote at least 30 minutes to sitting, just sitting.
  2. Give thanks for the peace and quiet of the moment
  3. Stop worrying
  4. Begin to notice and let go of sounds, sights, thoughts, anxiety, and any distraction that interrupts your silence.
  5. If sitting doesn’t work, go for a walk regardless of the weather. Feel the weather. Let weather work its magic.
  6. Sit, breathe deeply, in and out, relax your muscles.
  7. If sitting and walking doesn’t work (by this I mean, if they are getting in the way of being still) lay down somewhere comfortable. I like lawns in the summer and spring, piles of leaves in the fall, and the coldness of lying in the snow in the winter. My new mattress is becoming my new “go-to” place to relax my muscles so the aches and pains of my body don’t disturb the present moment
  8. If and when the silence becomes too much for you, consider this. Recall someone who taught you a lesson that has comforted you when hope and fear seemed too overwhelming to trust.
  9. In your silence, let the divine connect with you. If you ask and remain open to “still, small voices” or “booming thunderous voices”, the quietness of the present moment will return.
  10. Allow your self to be inspired by artwork or music or quotes or photos. There is always beauty, truth, and goodness. Do you believe this?

Finally, up to this point, you have lived and overcome, perhaps even thrived all that has been thrown at you, good, bad and indifferent. You have adapted, regrouped, or set off in new directions. You are a survivor. So far today, you are still surviving. Survive with grace, bring your noble purpose to others to respond to their suffering. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Just finish today. It’s always worked out before.

Of course, as always, I could be wrong. One last thought – “For the wonderful thing about saints is that they were human. They lost their tempers, got hungry, scolded God, were egotistical or testy or impatient in their turns, made mistakes and regretted them. Still, they went on doggedly blundering toward heaven.” (Phyllis McGinley -quoted in Paper Lanterns from The Sun)

Seasons come and go. Those days are gifts meant for you. One day at a time.

Who Can Imagine This?

No one can look at a scene such as the one above and not feel overwhelmed. The magnitude of destruction and uncertainty defies adequate description. There is nothing one can say or do to minimize the devastating effect of the events that befell this town during one particular tornadic event.

It is amazing to me how quickly people begin to pick up the pieces, gather their thoughts, and get to the hard tasks of recovery, rebuilding, and renewal. People, still reeling with disbelief get on with the cleanup and rebuilding. All the while, they are waging their own secret inner storms.

There is a inner strength that humankind possesses that emerges at times like this. In a time of tragedy one has to consider how to answer the question – am I a victim or a survivor?” The question may not surface with those exact words, but similar thoughts begin the process of recovery.

And not all strong personalities become survivors. And not all weak personalities become victims. There is some inner force that comes to those who will survive.

This is not a blog post outlining the fundamentals of survival. It is, however, a blog post about hope and an individual’s sense of future.

In my faith tradition, I read in Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us, from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

It is in the assistance that shows up to help folks who have been through a cataclysmic event that points to divine love. Red Cross, volunteers, private and governmental assistance funds, and various agencies all show up to be part of the spirit of renewal. They stay until that spirit of renewal heals the hearts and minds of survivors.

Some believe that humankind is at its core, self-seeking and self-centered. But in times of tragedy, humankind proves itself to be much kinder and much more willing to be of assistance than we sometimes believe.

It is in moments of tragedy and utter hopelessness, that the inner hope and strength of others is unleashed. There are so many examples of folks setting aside their needs and wants and providing healing gestures to those in crisis.

This simple act of responding to people in need, people who have had unimaginable losses, this simple act of bringing hope to folks who struggle, this is a kindness we all possess. You and I have the ability to bring hope when it is needed. No sermons, no lectures, no instructions are needed.

We are all survivors and we are all victims. Those who have helped us see a way forward are the quiet people of presence who offer strangers love, care, and compassion. In these times when the world seems so divided and so confused, we can quietly step up and bring a healing presence of hope through random acts of kindness.

This is my faith at work. This is the faith that reminds me, I am not alone, I am not forgotten, I can and I will weather every storm. This is the power and promise of hope. This is the power and promise of finding a way to healing.

Can you imagine this?

Irrational Violence

 

Irrational Violence

Some twenty years ago as I was transitioning from my vocation in independent school administration to the ministry, I was required to complete a battery of psychological tests.  These tests were to ascertain my fitness for ministry before I could be ordained as a United Methodist Pastor.  The results of the testing, among other uses, would provide information to denominational officials as to my psychological readiness to answer my call to ministry.

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Starting Over

Starting Over

I am reminded of the story, The Lady and the Tiger, in which a commoner falls in love with a beautiful princess and she with him.  The King is none too happy with this turn of events.  His daughter was destined for a better arrangement.  And so, the King devised a test of the commoner’s character.

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Seven Suggestions for Success

If these seven suggestions really could bring great success, why would I be writing this post instead of sipping Pimm’s Cup on a sail boat in the Mediterranean?  Just in case you make better use of these suggestions, send me an email describing your success.

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