Sunday Musings - August 11, 2024
Small blessings
I daily write down and share a spiritual intention with several friends. As I age my spiritual intentions are more focused on what is possible today. I am increasingly aware this life journey is very brief. I always “knew” this but at my age I am reminded in real time. We only have this moment to savor the gifts this journey. These gifts include the many gifts of Mother Nature and the moments with friends - long term friends, new friends and those momentary encounters which may or may not be repeated and may or may not result in ongoing friendships
My friend Kurt and I have a generous, loving friendship of many years. I appreciate much about him and our friendship, one of which is his willingness to be present for those unexpected moments with people with whom he has no history and who he may never again encounter. These encounters are free of expectations or any need other than to appreciate the thin slice of each other which is apparent in that moment. They are enough in and of themselves. He and I share the joy and gift of such encounters. We also share a similar joy for such moments with much of Mother Nature, a creation of art whether created by a person or Mother Nature. This could be a painting, a dance, music, a flower or other plant, the miracle revealed by physics or engineering or the sudden appearance of the city of Pittsburgh as it opens its arms when one exits the Ft. Pitt tunnel at night. Seemingly the lights of the city all turn on at once.
When I allow myself to be present and let go of expectations or need for more, I can daily enjoy many such moments. One of those moments occurred this week when I entered a space where a home inspector, I had hired was inspecting a condo I had planned to purchase. He said I looked familiar, but I could not remember meeting him. He later remembered we had met some time ago when he was with another person, we both know. As we began talking, we discovered we shared similar interests in people and the world in which we live. A delightful and energetic conversation ensued while he also shared the results of his inspection. Soon it was time for me to leave and to decide that there were too many potential issues with the condo to consider a purchase. That was disappointing and required me notifying several people who were going to help make this potential move possible - the bank employees, the movers, the painter. Yet the experience filled me with joy and appreciation for this person as a fellow human and a competent and kind professional. The cost of the inspection financially was money well spent and the visit was a gift. While at this building I also had a moment with a woman I usually see only at social justice events. As a neighbor she would have been another gift. I might not see the inspector or the potential neighbor again. If I do that will be a blessing. If not the value of the gifts of those moments is not lessened.
I could make a long list of such moments; Visits with Penny and the magical garden she and her partner join with Mother Nature and the fairies to create; moments with various people I may only see at the gym. moments with those I have the honor of sharing a healing journey; moments with colleagues; moments with the owners of a nearby gathering place - a restaurant; moments savoring a particularly good meal; moments at theater productions; moments visiting neighbors while shopping at the green grocer or the supermarket; moments with a scientist I see at Panera’s generous enough to share something of his work; moments sharing sadness, joy, passion, delight, disappointment and sometimes profound grief and even anger about how badly we can treat each other. Moments.
We exist only when we show up for such moments. They are enough.
Written August 11, 2024
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org’å
Small blessings
I daily write down and share a spiritual intention with several friends. As I age my spiritual intentions are more focused on what is possible today. I am increasingly aware this life journey is very brief. I always “knew” this but at my age I am reminded in real time. We only have this moment to savor the gifts this journey. These gifts include the many gifts of Mother Nature and the moments with friends - long term friends, new friends and those momentary encounters which may or may not be repeated and may or may not result in ongoing friendships
My friend Kurt and I have a generous, loving friendship of many years. I appreciate much about him and our friendship, one of which is his willingness to be present for those unexpected moments with people with whom he has no history and who he may never again encounter. These encounters are free of expectations or any need other than to appreciate the thin slice of each other which is apparent in that moment. They are enough in and of themselves. He and I share the joy and gift of such encounters. We also share a similar joy for such moments with much of Mother Nature, a creation of art whether created by a person or Mother Nature. This could be a painting, a dance, music, a flower or other plant, the miracle revealed by physics or engineering or the sudden appearance of the city of Pittsburgh as it opens its arms when one exits the Ft. Pitt tunnel at night. Seemingly the lights of the city all turn on at once.
When I allow myself to be present and let go of expectations or need for more, I can daily enjoy many such moments. One of those moments occurred this week when I entered a space where a home inspector, I had hired was inspecting a condo I had planned to purchase. He said I looked familiar, but I could not remember meeting him. He later remembered we had met some time ago when he was with another person, we both know. As we began talking, we discovered we shared similar interests in people and the world in which we live. A delightful and energetic conversation ensued while he also shared the results of his inspection. Soon it was time for me to leave and to decide that there were too many potential issues with the condo to consider a purchase. That was disappointing and required me notifying several people who were going to help make this potential move possible - the bank employees, the movers, the painter. Yet the experience filled me with joy and appreciation for this person as a fellow human and a competent and kind professional. The cost of the inspection financially was money well spent and the visit was a gift. While at this building I also had a moment with a woman I usually see only at social justice events. As a neighbor she would have been another gift. I might not see the inspector or the potential neighbor again. If I do that will be a blessing. If not the value of the gifts of those moments is not lessened.
I could make a long list of such moments; Visits with Penny and the magical garden she and her partner join with Mother Nature and the fairies to create; moments with various people I may only see at the gym. moments with those I have the honor of sharing a healing journey; moments with colleagues; moments with the owners of a nearby gathering place - a restaurant; moments savoring a particularly good meal; moments at theater productions; moments visiting neighbors while shopping at the green grocer or the supermarket; moments with a scientist I see at Panera’s generous enough to share something of his work; moments sharing sadness, joy, passion, delight, disappointment and sometimes profound grief and even anger about how badly we can treat each other. Moments.
We exist only when we show up for such moments. They are enough.
Written August 11, 2024
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org’å
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