Sunday Musings - March 11, 2018
This past week winter and spring continued their playful dance although I am not sure that those living in New England or much of the East Coast of the United States would describe the dance as playful. In fact that dance may have matched the dance between the heads of certain countries. At times they seem to play nice and, at others, they seem engaged in a middle school, hormone fueled one upmanship.
My dance was very quiet and, yet, very rich. Dinner with friends two nights and lunch with friends two other days was interspersed with volunteering at the addiction treatment center, writing, time with clients and daily touching base with many others via email, text and Facebook Messenger. Of course, there were the normal chores such as paying bills. Even more than usual I was acutely aware of the blessing of being able to pay them as they arrived - of not having to wait or, worse yet robbing Peter to pay Paul. I know that this is partly because I manage money well, but most of all it is because I got the winning ticket of those who would be able be allowed to achieve this status while others who are equally or even more deserving continue to struggle. Wars, weather conditions, illness, disabilities and many other factors determine the haves and the have not’s.
As we know it is popular to believe that some have more because they worked harder or for some other reason were more deserving and, yet, we know that is not the case. I talked to people this week that badly wanted to have or find the energy to find a job or to go to an existing job. Yet, for many of these every movement was an enormous effort. There are those who feel so disconnected from their core and from other people that they can only envision surviving by any means possible without being able to take into account how their behavior hurts both them and others.
Yesterday I was again reminded of the magic of Mother Nature as I took in the wonders of the thousands of trees, plants and flowers at the spring flower show at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. No matter how old I get I am awed that a seed, bulb or a piece of an existing tree or plant can execute a design that is flawless in color, shape and often scent. Some plants, including some orchids, manufacture all they need from what is contained in the air that they take in. I have a vague understanding of computers and why they work but I will never fully comprehend the magic I again witnessed yesterday.
Later in the Phipps café I observed and played with a young child who sat with her parents a couple of tables distance from where my friend and I were sitting. She was delighted to be alive and to experience every moment. Her parents were obviously just as delighted with her. While I am sure that she gets tired, feels pain and gets frustrated perhaps she will be one of those humans who continue to take delight in the possibility of every moment.
Again, I am reminded that I am always in the presence of amazing possibilities whether I am interacting with a person who I have previously labeled as having nothing to offer me or the person who shares my excitement of experiencing the many sights and smells of the awakening spring. I am reminded of the opportunity to offer comfort to those who are lost or in pain or to dance with those who are celebrating new beginnings.
Written March 11, 2018
This past week winter and spring continued their playful dance although I am not sure that those living in New England or much of the East Coast of the United States would describe the dance as playful. In fact that dance may have matched the dance between the heads of certain countries. At times they seem to play nice and, at others, they seem engaged in a middle school, hormone fueled one upmanship.
My dance was very quiet and, yet, very rich. Dinner with friends two nights and lunch with friends two other days was interspersed with volunteering at the addiction treatment center, writing, time with clients and daily touching base with many others via email, text and Facebook Messenger. Of course, there were the normal chores such as paying bills. Even more than usual I was acutely aware of the blessing of being able to pay them as they arrived - of not having to wait or, worse yet robbing Peter to pay Paul. I know that this is partly because I manage money well, but most of all it is because I got the winning ticket of those who would be able be allowed to achieve this status while others who are equally or even more deserving continue to struggle. Wars, weather conditions, illness, disabilities and many other factors determine the haves and the have not’s.
As we know it is popular to believe that some have more because they worked harder or for some other reason were more deserving and, yet, we know that is not the case. I talked to people this week that badly wanted to have or find the energy to find a job or to go to an existing job. Yet, for many of these every movement was an enormous effort. There are those who feel so disconnected from their core and from other people that they can only envision surviving by any means possible without being able to take into account how their behavior hurts both them and others.
Yesterday I was again reminded of the magic of Mother Nature as I took in the wonders of the thousands of trees, plants and flowers at the spring flower show at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. No matter how old I get I am awed that a seed, bulb or a piece of an existing tree or plant can execute a design that is flawless in color, shape and often scent. Some plants, including some orchids, manufacture all they need from what is contained in the air that they take in. I have a vague understanding of computers and why they work but I will never fully comprehend the magic I again witnessed yesterday.
Later in the Phipps café I observed and played with a young child who sat with her parents a couple of tables distance from where my friend and I were sitting. She was delighted to be alive and to experience every moment. Her parents were obviously just as delighted with her. While I am sure that she gets tired, feels pain and gets frustrated perhaps she will be one of those humans who continue to take delight in the possibility of every moment.
Again, I am reminded that I am always in the presence of amazing possibilities whether I am interacting with a person who I have previously labeled as having nothing to offer me or the person who shares my excitement of experiencing the many sights and smells of the awakening spring. I am reminded of the opportunity to offer comfort to those who are lost or in pain or to dance with those who are celebrating new beginnings.
Written March 11, 2018
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