Have you ever started to create a new dish for supper only to realize it wasn’t going to be salvageable unless you did some “thinking out of the box”?
Have you ever created a greeting card or a painting or a sketch or some jewellery or … and discovered it was a mess and you were going to have to “think out of the box” to salvage/redeem/fix it – or discard it?
What about those times when … well, fill in your own blanks.
I’d been playing with art deco roses inspired by Charles Rennie Macintosh lately, and decided I was ready to turn ‘practicing’ into ‘making’ a card. I had fun making it, but when I stepped-back and looked at it, I realized that it was cluttered. It looked terrible. Really – a mess. So I put it on the mantle and looked at it from various angles.
And then I realized – because of the design of the card, I could “cut” out the bottom right hand corner of the card. But then what? What a strange-looking card that would be.
So I began to extend my thoughts ‘outside the box’ and realized that I could write something on the inside of the card that would be visible from the front of the card. I’m sure others have intentionally created such a card, but I’d not ever seen one, so it was a new possibility for me.
But I wasn’t finished. What would I do with the image that was on the front of the card that was making the card look so cluttered? I could discard it … or I could cut out the image and put it on the inside of the card.
So I cut – and cut – and cut … reducing the original ‘mess’ until all I was left with was a single rose and a little bit around it.
At first, I was sure that the card was going to be discarded, but then the thought came to me: “I think it’s now salvageable.” And that got me thinking again.
Thinking about other things: artwork, sewing projects, meals, political situations and yes, even personal relationships .. things, situations and relationships which, at first glance I think need to be discarded. But maybe – not completely?
The world is in chaos around a variety of issues – like the environment. Are there ways politicians can “think outside the box” … and help create possibilities of life for future generations? Or is the world and its inhabitants going to disappear?
When it comes to personal life how often do we keep our self-critical voice alive with “this is a mess” – “this isn’t salvageable” – “this is …” type of thinking when it comes to our personal relationships?
And what can be done about it when we find ourselves in such situations?
Working on the card, I was reminded (again) … do not give up … consider possibilities … think ‘beyond-beyond’ – aka “think out of the box.”
Another day – another lesson learned. And this time, a simple handmade greeting card became my teacher.
Some days, it seems as if the “rising-waters-of-life” are too much, and there’s nothing we can do.
I remember one such time well. My place of employment was vandalized – again. This time, the vandals pushed a hose through the window of the bathroom in my office, turned on the faucet and disappeared. I wasn’t in the office when it happened but came back in, moments later as the water poured into my office. I could feel the stress rising within me.
That experience has become an apt image for me over the years of those “rising-waters-of-life” times when exterior circumstances are such that I feel flooded-with-stress.
What about you? Can you relate to an experience – in the past? What about now?
Are the personal ‘waters of your life’ rising? Are personal stressors of health, finances, relationships, pummelling your emotional inner shores? Is anger, depression, exhaustion, grief, worry about your future/that of a loved one, further pounding your emotions? Distress robs us of living life to the fullest. Distress denies us the opportunity to be whole in body, mind and spirit.
If we were honest, we would admit that some personal distresswaters can be avoided if we paid attention to our bodies, minds and souls in particular ways like caring for our bodies: driving carefully, eating sensibly, getting adequate amounts of rest, having regular dentist and doctor check-ups, following doctor’s advice, not worrying while waiting for results of medical tests; exercising our minds: reading books, listening to various kinds of music, playing an instrument, developing a hobby, learning a new language; nourishing our souls: savouring the beauty of the world around us; being humbled by the awareness of the gift of our life; being appreciative of, and thankful for, the blessings around us, sitting still and be-ing.
What about the corporate distress waters that are rising quickly these days – global stressors of politics, terrorism, lack of access to clean water, fresh air, food, housing, medical/dental care? What about the rising waters of dictators, autocrats, loss of democracy?
Are any of these corporate distress waters flooding your thoughts and bringing about sleepless nights?
Some would say that little can be done about corporate distress. But, perhaps, there are things — when elections happen, we can … exercise our right to vote at each election (municipal, provincial/state, national/federal) and cast our ballot for the candidates we think will make a positive difference in the environment, legal system, health care, educational system, security, environment etc. The United States has just had their election for the head of their country. Canada will have their election in October 2025. In general, we can … become involved in local communities and volunteer time to organizations which work so faithfully at inculcating morals and values; work with and care for our youth, the elderly, the unemployed, the single parent families, the abused, the victimized, the homeless, the hungry, the mentally ill, the addicted, etc.
We can pray – however we understand that word – pray that the evil (for there is evil in the world) doesn’t overwhelm us, infiltrate the hearts and minds of our youth, contaminate politicians, corporations and institutions any further … pray that goodness will reign; hope will be experienced; inner joy will permeate each woman, child, man, youth; wisdom will be respected; and peace, not conflict or war, will be the mandate of all governments and societies.
And we can share with another – be that a trusted friend, colleague, mentor, counsellor, loved one … and give the fear a voice so that it no longer is trapped within us.
Yes, let’s name the “rising waters of life” that frighten, numb, shock. “Naming” our feelings, our reactions … whether large or small, big or little distress, there IS something we can do to reduce the impact in our daily living of the rising-waters-of-nature/personal concerns/corporate concerns to hopefully will help us rise above the rising waters. May it be so.
Time to process what has just happened in the United States … and really, what has happened that will affect the world.
So, I took a little walk around the yard, enjoying Mother Nature breathing in life, ruach, praying, healing.
The mushrooms that keep popping up in the yard may have a short life, but each day, through them, Mother Nature provides such wonderful colour, texture, shape, peace.
And a gentle feeling of hope begins to slowly surface.
The mushrooms make their way through the earth year after year after year, in spite of winter weather, summer heat, fall and spring rain.
So too will humanity.
Thank you, Mother Nature, for your everpresent reminder that “All shall be well. All shall be well. All manner of thing shall be well.” (Dame Julian who reminds us that even though things may not be well, in time, they “shall be.”)
Reach for the sun, mushrooms. Reach for the sky. Keep on growing and surviving in spite of the elements of Nature.
This night, on the eve of the election in the United States, tensions are high. anxiety is higher fear is higher.
Mail-in ballots are being readied to be counted. People are making plans to get to the polls in the morning. Foreign countries may have infiltrated the voting process. Lawyers and judges are preparing to argue challenges against counting mail-in ballots And, as it all unfolds I pray. Many pray – many within the United States and many beyond.
As I was praying, I I noticed a shadow on my bedroom wall created by the little statue. Words and a familiar melody echoed in my head and I found myself praying … a song.
While the words are part of a Christian hymn they can have meaning for non-Christians when adapted. I hope they will.
Perhaps you will join me in singing/humming (if you know the melody) and if not, join me in saying/thinking these words (original words in paratheses) because … “We are pilgrims on a journey; We are family on the road; We are here to help each other Walk the miles and bear the load.
I will hold the night-light (Christ-light) for you In the nighttime of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping; When you laugh I’ll laugh with you; I will share your joys and sorrows Till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to Nature’s glory (to God in Heaven) We shall find such harmony, Born of all we’ve known together Of the world’s (Christ’s) love and agony.
Neighbour, family (brother, sister) let me serve you; Let me be a friend (as Christ) to you; Pray that I might have the grace to Let you be my servant, too. <Richard Gillard, adapted by June Maffin>
This night may we hold the night-light for all in the United States and for ourselves because whether we acknowledge it or not, what happens in this election will affect the rest of the world.
And if necessary, as the votes are counted and the anticipated legal process unravels in the coming nights may we continue to pray – to sing – to remind ourselves that regardless of the outcome of the election we are all going to have to live together on this Planet Earth>
We all want to have the answer to the question “What is going to happen?” But perhaps the question is not “What” but “How.” And the answer to that must be “Together.”
Whatever happens, we must get through it together, because “We are pilgrims on a journey; We are family on the road; We are here to help each other Walk the miles and bear the load.
This night, let us hold the night-light for one another.
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen them. November 2nd and there they were … four strawberries in the strawberry planter on my deck, this morning!
We’ve already had our first snowfall yet, they survived the snow and the cold and the rain and there’s another berry “on its way” to full strawberryhood. <g>
So if you’ve had a difficult day … if the rains are causing your arthritis to flare … if traffic was frustrating … if the news brings despair … if the future looks bleak let these strawberries … give you a sweet surprise … put a smile on your face even if only for a second or two.
This time of the year in many parts of the world,
it is or soon will be Winter Weather
At the same time, Political Winter weather is happening.
The nights are dark and bring fear
and political haranguing permeates social media.
Hope is disguised, hidden, not-evident by many
as people wait for the next political explosion.
We must remember to breathe
… breathe for ourselves
… breathe for those who cannot breathe.
We must hold fast and remember
the quietness of peace for ourselves
remember that while the nights may be dark
in one place in the world,
in another place in the world
the nights are light.
We must hold to the hope
that when the night seems dark
– hopeless – in one place
… hope is – somewhere
… prayeris being offered – somewhere
… communion is being received – somewhere
May we hold the light
… for those who cannot breathe
May we say a prayer
… for those who cannot sleep
May we hold hope
… for those who cannot hope
May we remember that there are signs of light.
This night, in a speech by a woman who faces unbelievable odds
yet who fearlessly confronts them.
she spoke a powerful speech.
Seven days before an election
that could determine political light – democracy –
for the people of the United States
the woman spoke truth – and hope.
She named evil
… warned against it
In these politically-trying times
this woman stood tall
spoke with determination and courage
and brought hope
and light.
In spite of living in the reality
of the howling of the wind and the rain in the trees
of the howling of the lies and fear on the airwaves, papers, social media
let us refocus.
Refocus on the good
… not the evil
Refocus on the possibilities
…. not the fear
Refocus on the reality that “this too, shall pass.”
It shall.
Hope IS possible.
Light IS possible.
We ARE possible in this Winter Weather
this Political Winter.
