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| Spring Seedlings |
Yes, patience! Two weeks ago I rushed to the greenhouse to get my spring flowers but it was too cold to plant yet. One night the temperature was 21 degrees! That's cold. Even this week it has been raining every day, windy and too cool. Somehow I am keeping my plants alive, inside, with water in the containers, until this next weekend when weather should be warmer. Plants don't really grow the best until they get in the right environment.
What does this have to do with anything, you may ask? Lately the word "forgiveness" has been in my consciousness off and on for several months. It seems that this word and its process is something that is needed in many lives for many situations. Forgiving is not easy but brings a world of relief and peace when done. It takes only our willingness; there is no need for the other person or side to know anything about it. It's not the same as making an amends, reconciling or getting back into a relationship nor does it mean we "forget" the offence nor minimize the severity.
I have found that forgiving a person, place, institution or situation, even ourselves, takes quite a bit of inner work, willingness and desire to change the anger and resentment that we may be hanging on to. When we realize how this anger and resentment and unforgiveness keeps us bound within ourselves forgiveness becomes the "key" to freedom; we may wonder why we waited so long to do.
It's also amazing how our very being radiates old and new angers; sometimes our aura is very evident to others. No matter what the infraction, even the worst in life, can be forgiven. Yes, it is a process, but it is possible and the rewards are great. So, whether it's spring flowers, cold weather and planting or coming to the desire to forgive, patience is needed but desire and willingness will eventually reap great rewards! So, like spring flowers being held inside, nourished only in soggy pots to keep them moist, real growth will then take place in the right environment. Just imagine what each of us could be like in the "right environment" after forgiving a person or a situation. Just imagine!
If you would like a companion to assist you on the journey to forgiveness, consider calling for an appointment to do spiritual direction with me. Call 920.793.3530. If you are interested in subscribing to this blog, scroll all the way to the bottom of this post and insert your email address. Consider passing this along to your friends, too! Thank you!
Yes, "make hay while the sun shines, Nellie," as the saying goes! Have you ever thought to yourself, after seeing one more obituary, hearing one more tragic story of someone stricken by a horrendous, life threatening diagnosis and impending death? Of course, I don't even want to mention the state of affairs of our government in the news each and ever day, enough to make us quite concerned, probably.Life can be like a huge merry-go-round that just doesn't stop.
All of these things have made me take stock of things personally. The older I get, and yes, hopefully, I still have quite a bit of grass on this side of the hill I'm on, but some things have occurred that give me pause to really appreciate time, family and relationships more and more. I also value my faith, prayer life and beliefs more and more too.
On a road trip around the back roads of Wisconsin with my husband this past weekend I noticed how the farmers were busy sowing seeds into fields, often with looming clouds in the far distance, signaling the approach of rain. Our life is like that and I ask, how many of us take life seriously enough to prepare ourselves spiritually, emotionally and physically for the future?
Yes, how do we "make hay while the sun shines"? This often requires hard work with focused and detailed attention to many things. One of the hugest areas of concern, in my opinion, is my relationship with God, others and myself. This spiritual life is something each one of us can tend to on a regular basis that may bring us peace when our season comes to harvest. That is my focus. What is yours?
If you would like to discuss how to "make hay while the sun shines" in your life, I am available for appointments. Call 920.793.3530 or to subscribe to my posts, scroll all the way to the bottom of this post and follow the directions.
We have all had cups that ran over. Have you ever found yourself being quieter than normal, maybe even talking more than usual but with really not much to specifically talk about? When my cup is filling up, getting to the running over point I sometimes don't even realize that it is to a flood stage!
Someone described a situation one time that really made sense. Think about a glass that is filling up, drop by drop. For the longest time, nothing happens, but when the glass fills to the rim, eventually ONE drop begins to spill over, then the next spills over, and over. That's how we are when stresses of life hit us. It's not the last drop that was the culprit but all the drops that filled the cup to that point. Sometimes the "drops" of life don't get our attention until they start to spill over, then all sorts of behaviors occur, even suicide.
We all have our stories but when we stay to ourselves, don't reach out to another or when another reaches out to us, don't talk, we can feel pretty alone. There are reasons a person finds it hard to reach out and I think it's perfectly normal. However, even the smallest of gestures caught my spirit a couple weeks ago when a friend emailed/texted me and simply asked how I was, noticing that I had been "quiet" lately. It's amazing how that kind gesture was like a pair of arms around my spirit.
When our "cup" is filling up, nearly overflowing with each "drop" of life that is occurring, it is wonderful when a caring person simply says, "I've been thinking of you." Eventually they will respond, but at least they know you care. Mary Kay Ash, former owner of Mary Kay Cosmetics used to say, "Folks don't care how much you know; they want to know how much you care!" Amazing!
Ever wish you had someone to talk with when your cup was filling up in life? This is a perfect time to consider spiritual direction. Call me at 920.793.3530. To subscribe to my posts scroll all the way to the bottom here and insert your email address.
