It's raining today and in no uncertain terms. It's cold, damp and windy as well. Finally, we turned our furnace on in the house as well as turning heat on in the car while driving! Thoughts of bundling up, "running away" to a warmer climate and figuring out how to deal with cold weather enters my mind!
Some days I wonder if I'm up to the task but honestly, I think all of us have had better experience dealing with these things than we give ourselves credit for. Why should a bit of chilly weather throw us a curve ball? We can do it!
Ever think of character defects? You know, those nasty behaviors that rear their heads when we least expect, that others sometimes notice even before we do: low self esteem, defensiveness, etc., etc! Now, this is a situation that many of us would like to stick our heads in the sand over, ignore and deny.
I don't know that this is anything to get too scared about but I do know how heartwarming it is to have a companion with whom to process these things with, allowing us to talk, share and to bring the behaviors into the light. Some refer to these parts of ourselves that are hard to recognize as our "shadow." Spiritual direction is a wonderful arena for making friends with our shadow. It's a safe and gentle atmosphere in which to look within with someone who is there to listen and support us while we do this inner work. It's quite a gift we can give ourselves!
So, let it rain! With proper tools to keep us dry, it's nothing to be feared. A walk in the rain or a drive in the rain can be a very rewarding trip! Whether it's raining outside or storming inside ourselves, having a companion to be with during these times can be a heartwarming experience!
I am a spiritual director. If you are interested in knowing more about spiritual direction or doing spiritual direction with me, contact me at 920.793.3530. To subscribe to my blog see: MollyLaFond.com
The weather channel predicted fog this morning on the Lakeshore and indeed it was foggy. As I was driving to a friend's house to spend the day in the kitchen with her I looked down the road way ahead and it was impossible to see trees or anything beyond a block away.
I wondered if I needed to turn around and abandon my plans.It was obvious to me that if I simply kept my eyes within the space I was driving it actually was possible to see very adequately with no need to be frightened. So, I continued.
Have you ever had situations in your life that when you looked far ahead and that task or journey looked so daunting that you abandoned your initial energies in the process? It could have been a journey trying to stop an addiction; it could actually have been a physical trip, getting scared not knowing every road and turn.
How much "fog" do each of us encounter every day? How often are we not able to see the road way beyond us? It could be the "fog" of behaviors that bring great consequences such as a lawsuit, court, possibly, even jail or prison. Maybe that "fog" has even brought you suicidal thoughts.
Most situations, probably all, always have various options if we just think them through. Perhaps just staying in "this block" where visibility is clearer, maybe sitting tight and doing nothing, and yes, maybe even starting over until the fog clears. It is amazing that there probably is not much fog that needs to make us turn around and give up our plans completely. Delays? Maybe.
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I am a spiritual director and if you would like to make an appointment with me to do spiritual direction I can be reached at 920.793.3530. If you would like to subscribe to my blog see: MollyLaFond.com
I don't remember having such a late fall like it has been this year. It has been warmer than normal; we haven't even had our furnace on yet. As I watch leaves fall from the trees it has given me some "pondering time" watching the process.
Have you ever thought of what "falling leaves" each of us goes through as we live our daily lives in a marriage, a family, a work place or other settings? There are so many things we must let go of in order to make things work out. Siblings learn to play with one another, sharing toys, not getting everything they want. Spouses must let go of many things in a marital relationship.
As I watch the leaves fall, knowing the good times of summer are over once again, shorter days prevail, snow and ice are not far away, I am saddened. Saddened until I realize that this cycle needs to happen in order for the next season to come. St. Mother Theresa writes, "We learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully." I had never thought of this before but it makes sense.
So, I imagine the trees experiencing "humiliations" as the leaves fall, bare once again. Cheerfully? Yes, just look at the beautiful weather of fall! The grand oak or stately maple, or each of us...spring will come once again. Humility is a grand quality to have. With humility nothing will touch us! Let the leaves fall! What a beautiful season!!
I am a spiritual director and can be reached at 920.793.3530 if you would like to make an appointment to do spiritual direction with me. I see clients in either Two Rivers or Crivitz, WI. If you would like to subscribe to my blog see: MollyLaFond.com
Well, another summer is gone, fall is here. 'Tis the time to begin "battening down" the yard for winter. Trees are changing color; leaves are falling. The yard is tilled, grass seed is in. I don't know about you but something happens inside of me, too, this time of year. I am in a higher gear of accomplishing things around the house but as far as that goes, I feel an increased urgency to deepen myself on a spiritual realm. Ever feel this way?
Maybe the rest of the world is in a different mode, too. The phones have been ringing, retreats and days of reflection are in the planning stages. Calendars are being filled. It just seems to be a different beat of the drum compared to summer. There is an excitement in the air.
I think autumn is a transition time of year. Summer is gone, winter not quite here. How do each of us deal with those transition times of our life? Do we look forward to what is to come? Do we get in a slump at saying goodbye to the familiar times? Are we trusting that what is to come will offer us something heartwarming and growth-filled, too! Fall is here. Wonder what's coming?!!
I am a spiritual director and taking new clients. If you would like to make an appointment to do spiritual direction with me, call 920.793.3530. I have offices in Two Rivers and Crivitz, WI. To subscribe to my blog, see:MollyLaFond.com
