Rilke is one of the timeless poets who always challenges my thinking. I get set in my ways and think the world is as I understand it, but as Rilke points out it might be something quite different. As a teacher, I always understood the necessity of relationships with children, particularly those who struggled academically, socially, emotionally, etc. It provided not just them with a sense of hope, but I think it provided me with a sense of hope, as well.
Monthly Archives: May 2014
Prayer of St. Francis
Kathy and I exchanged vows 38 years ago today. Yesterday, as we drove to Fargo ND, we talked a little about the journey. There are no guarantees in life, but, when you end up with the right person–your soul mate–it seems there is destiny involved. I vividly remember as Kathy and her Dad began walking up the aisle, I stood, and realized I was shaking from head to foot. When Bill gave Kathy’s hand to me, the shaking stopped and it felt right, as it has for all those years.
The priest who performed the ceremony told us we could choose the readings. I asked for the Prayer of St. Francis. At first, he said we could not, but later changed his mind. We have a plaque with it hanging in our bedroom. I printed a copy in Spokane and put it on the wall in my room. It has remained a constant reminder in my life that I make a difference as Kathy has in my life.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
Native American Marriage Blessing
Today is our wedding anniversary. Kathy and have been a couple for over 40 years and, when I saw this post, it seemed most appropriate. She has been my anchor in life and has supported me in all my efforts. When we married 38 years ago, I did not envision the way it would turn out and that I would be able to leave one profession, as a banker, to pursue teaching and beyond. Sometimes, we are blessed without understanding it in the moment.
Quotes For a Joyful Attitude
There are some excellent quotes in this post. They come from a broad group of people and I hope they bring joy into your day.
Meditate on these quotes to help you find joy everyday
“Our joy does not have to be based on our circumstances.” ~ Joyce Meyer
“A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. She gives most who gives with joy.” ~ Mother Teresa
“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” ~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” ~ Pope John Paul II
“When we are powerless to do a thing, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus” ~ Corrie ten Boom
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ~ E E Cummings
“A…
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A Moments Indulgence
Rabindranath Tagore wrote this poem reminding me when we live in the world it is important to take time and encounter that world so we can more clearly hear the sighs and murmurs. Quite often, in the midst of the busyness and noisiness in the world, we need and space to witness the world through all our senses. It almost seems the quietness needed is indulgent, but it is a necessary indulgence.
I ask for a moment’s indulgence to sit by thy side. The works
that I have in hand I will finish afterwards.
Away from the sight of thy face my heart knows no rest nor respite,
and my work becomes an endless toil in a shoreless sea of toil.
Today the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs; and
the bees are plying their minstrelsy at the court of the flowering grove.
Now it is time to sit quite, face to face with thee, and to sing
dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure.
The circle of no beginning or end. And that is Hell.
Wendell Berry is one of my favourite poets and authors. He has a common sense way of looking at life and reminds me that we are here to care for one another and the world we live in.
Anger at humans,
my own kind –
I remember how it carried me,
joyous in self’s self-exaltation,
through a narrow opening as at birth
into the great hollow of the dark itself
where the unappeasable,
in unending revenge for revenge,
tread each alone
the circle of no
beginning or end.
And that is Hell.
~ Wendell Berry, Sabbaths 2010 X
Credits: Portrait – Thank you Carol. Poem: Thank you Steve Layman.
Sloth’s To-Do List
This is such good advice as we begin the week. Enjoy hanging around and relaxing.
The Wisdom of Peace
Lao Tzu wrote this poem as part of his work many centuries ago. The hard work of transforming life begins internally and closest to home. Sabbath practice and the mindfulness that comes with it are essential ingredients to living life in a fuller, honest, and moment-to-moment way.
We only bring peace to the world when there is peace in our hearts. From there, we gradually move outwards and the ripple effects are felt gradually first in our home, then our communities, cities, in our nations, and finally in the world. It is not the work of one person and one life time, but the work of many and many life times.
In this rippling, leading is not leading others as much as it is leading my self in the world and touching others with new-found peace.
If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.
is world really a dangerous place?
Einstein had many great quotes about spirituality, imagination, and life. He spoke about the need to be aware of the world we live in and realize what is happening. It is under these circumstances we have the ability to reach out and make a difference in lives and the world.
kindly reblog the lovely message.
Practicing the Art of Zen
Susan Auld wrote this informative poem about life’s busyness in the digital age. Time challenges me daily and it is hard to keep pace and leave comments that are deep enough to celebrate the wonderful blogs I follow.
I try living in the moment as the poem suggests. This is a great challenge, but the idea is meditation is the practice we need for life to be lived fully. It is in life that we need to be present. As I rise from the meditation, I hope to do so with a clearer mind and catch a glimpse, now and then, of the rose opening. Even an occasional glimpse rewards me with the universe’s miracles.
how can I be in the present
when I need two hands to twitter and tweet
when world events are everywhere all the time
above below under inside outside
slithering through
ear buds flat screens cell phones
and I miss the exact second the rose
opens its red lips or the dramatic entrance
of the lilac’s perfume as it catches a ride
on the back of a spring breeze
and floats through my open window
how can I listen to my breath
move in move out move in move out
through the rumbles of cement trucks
bells and whistles of garbage trucks
siren songs ring tones doorbells
computer music and twitches
how can I possibly be
in the moment
when the world is so
in my face
in my ears
in my rooms
in my yard
swallowing this
moment and
the next and next and next…
how in this world do I let go
of all the cacophonous chaos
practice practice practice
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 