Recovery slogans...
I heard someone say on a podcast today that one way to approach the pandemic is to treat it like you would if you were in recovery. One of the gifts of the recovery movement is that it has provided us with some tried and true slogans, even if the slogans seem a little trite at first glance.
One day at a time.
There are a lot of unknowns right now. There is a temptation to worry about things that you don’t have any control over.
Kath and I have started to remind each other that it’s best to just take it one day at a time when we are confronted with uncertainty.
I invite you to focus on and do, the things that you can do something about and if at all possible, let go of the rest.
This too shall pass.
I saw a post from a friend of mine today who teaches in China showing a line up at Starbucks. Nearly everyone in the picture had a mask on, but that said, he was encouraging us to believe that we’ll get through this and the virus will pass.
I find the saying "this too shall pass" to be particularly helpful with my feelings, anxiety and the temptation to act out of the small self.
It's been my experience that it is not helpful to suppress your feelings, so I invite you to feel them, compassionately be with them, and then if you can, let them go.
Not necessarily a recovery slogan, but sort of... Be open
I was reminded last week in quite a powerful way - - don't obsess. When I obsess, no matter what it's about, I am doing harm to myself, and therefore, harming others too. This reminder surfaced as I was practicing openness and reading scripture with some friends online.
May you be safe.
May you know peace
and may you be well.
~ Rod
The meditation I created is called Experiencing Oneness in a Divided World. In it, we explore a deep and comforting truth: that everything is connected.
As I venture out this morning, I'm thinking about the Mary Oliver poem, wild Geese, where she says, “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.
I just want to bow 🙇♂️ in gratitude (also laugh because there’s a 🙇 bowing emoji)
For a period in my life I used to go to a particular place in a park not far from my house to meditate and pray. It was the beginning of a practice that I continue to practice to this very day, although this post is about a time when I took a break.
Our guest today is author Eric Janzen. Eric is probably best known for his high fantasy fiction books. He's written a trilogy called The Dreamtrekker Journals Trilogy, and more recently released a new series entitled The Essence Tales. In Eric's bio, he says he will continue writing until he can't anymore.
Our daughter Jess gifted me with a poem today. She says... Wrapping up my last few days on the coast for now… it’s been so amazing to get so much “normal” time with my family, and one of my favorite things is morning walks with dad. His practice of noticing and of being quiet enough in spirit to notice the minute details is always a gift.
Our new little bundle of joy - August (Gus) Matthew Toews - has reminded us all how powerful and incredible love is.
I am contemplating emptiness this morning which I know sends cautionary shivers down the spines of some Christians. I was warned about this by a "well-meaning" Christian on the weekend when I used the word emptiness at a retreat I was co-leading.
snowy days (meditation) Hints of Gladness
Are sounds like this (birdsong, babbling brooks) meant to touch our souls? I think they are.