Gifts of Mother Nature – ready or not
Many of us can easily recall the game of hide and seek which we played as children or which we, as adults, have played with the children in our lives. The person who is “it” waits and then announces “Ready? Coming, ready or not?” If one is not well hid by that time he or she will soon become “it”.
Fairly early in life most of us learned that no matter what we do or do not do life shows up. Test day arrives in our math class. That essay or book report is due. Another birthday arrives. One’s family goes through tough times. Aunt Millie is diagnosed with cancer. Uncle John and cousin Tommy are in an automobile accident. No one says to us, “Ready. Coming ready or not.”
The good news, of course, is life also shows up with wonderful gifts. This morning I was gifted time and quiet, which the snowstorm is bringing. As is true for most people I had items on my schedule this morning. I was planning on seeing counseling clients here in my home office. Between appointments I was planning on using the computer to write my daily blog and to respond to emails and other messages as well as update some records. All morning clients have canceled. There is the possibility, of course, that this very moist snow could result in down power lines. That would mean no computer work or no computer work, which requires Internet access or recharging the battery of the computer.
For many this snowstorm will present other challenges. For example, some schools are closed. If one is scheduled to work who takes care of the young children. Can one afford to call off work? Is it safe to leave a teenage child alone all day? Is there a nearby friend or relative who can help?
When life shows up some individuals will embrace the changes, focus on positives and be fine. Obviously if a loved one has died or a child is suddenly arrested or overdosed, there will be a lot of tears. Some people are prepared to deal with even these tough issues and will soon be counting their blessings. They will be like my friend Virginia who when her husband died after six weeks of marriage and left her a widow for the third time said, “Weren’t we blessed. We had six whole weeks plus those weeks of getting to know each other prior to the marriage.” Some will be the equivalent of Stephen Hawking who handled each successive physical limitation as a challenge.
Some will kick, scream and wring their hands because their plans have been interrupted by “life”. For these folks it seems that any change in their life schedule is experienced as a major problem and/or a personal attack.
I am the first to admit that today it is easy for me to be grateful for the changes in my schedule and the quiet of the snow. I will be okay financially. I am not responsible for young children or others today. I have food and heat.
I would like to think I have the courage and the faith of a Stephen Hawking or those in the death camps of WW II who created wonderful music. I will not know unless I daily practice greeting life as a challenge and an opportunity.
Today, I will breathe in the quiet of the snow, savor the gift of time and give thanks for mentors such as Dr. Hawking, Martin Luther King, Jr. Maya Angelou, Virginia, the musicians of the death camps and a host of others.
Written March 21, 2018
Many of us can easily recall the game of hide and seek which we played as children or which we, as adults, have played with the children in our lives. The person who is “it” waits and then announces “Ready? Coming, ready or not?” If one is not well hid by that time he or she will soon become “it”.
Fairly early in life most of us learned that no matter what we do or do not do life shows up. Test day arrives in our math class. That essay or book report is due. Another birthday arrives. One’s family goes through tough times. Aunt Millie is diagnosed with cancer. Uncle John and cousin Tommy are in an automobile accident. No one says to us, “Ready. Coming ready or not.”
The good news, of course, is life also shows up with wonderful gifts. This morning I was gifted time and quiet, which the snowstorm is bringing. As is true for most people I had items on my schedule this morning. I was planning on seeing counseling clients here in my home office. Between appointments I was planning on using the computer to write my daily blog and to respond to emails and other messages as well as update some records. All morning clients have canceled. There is the possibility, of course, that this very moist snow could result in down power lines. That would mean no computer work or no computer work, which requires Internet access or recharging the battery of the computer.
For many this snowstorm will present other challenges. For example, some schools are closed. If one is scheduled to work who takes care of the young children. Can one afford to call off work? Is it safe to leave a teenage child alone all day? Is there a nearby friend or relative who can help?
When life shows up some individuals will embrace the changes, focus on positives and be fine. Obviously if a loved one has died or a child is suddenly arrested or overdosed, there will be a lot of tears. Some people are prepared to deal with even these tough issues and will soon be counting their blessings. They will be like my friend Virginia who when her husband died after six weeks of marriage and left her a widow for the third time said, “Weren’t we blessed. We had six whole weeks plus those weeks of getting to know each other prior to the marriage.” Some will be the equivalent of Stephen Hawking who handled each successive physical limitation as a challenge.
Some will kick, scream and wring their hands because their plans have been interrupted by “life”. For these folks it seems that any change in their life schedule is experienced as a major problem and/or a personal attack.
I am the first to admit that today it is easy for me to be grateful for the changes in my schedule and the quiet of the snow. I will be okay financially. I am not responsible for young children or others today. I have food and heat.
I would like to think I have the courage and the faith of a Stephen Hawking or those in the death camps of WW II who created wonderful music. I will not know unless I daily practice greeting life as a challenge and an opportunity.
Today, I will breathe in the quiet of the snow, savor the gift of time and give thanks for mentors such as Dr. Hawking, Martin Luther King, Jr. Maya Angelou, Virginia, the musicians of the death camps and a host of others.
Written March 21, 2018
RSS Feed