Category: Journal

Eucharisteo

 Photo: A wonderful day outdoors

The question was raised in my book study of One Thousand Gifts last week … of what is the point of listing small things that we are thankful for like the green leaves of spring.  I don’t remember who asked it, but I think she and others were wrestling with the larger question of how to be thankful in the midst of life’s larger trials and what relevance these small things had.  Why should we fill a list of 1000 things we are thankful for with seemingly insignificant things?  How can we be thankful for the hard things?

Eucharisteo – grace, joy, thanksgiving

As I pondered this, several things came to mind.
Thankfulness is a discipline.  Being thankful in the small things teaches us how to be thankful in all things.
Thankfulness is a habit – and habits take practice.
Noticing these seemingly small things, puts God in perspective and teaches us to reverence our Creator.
Noticing helps us to “be here now” to live fully.  It allows us to experience life in new ways.

I think that as we develop this discipline, we grow closer to being able to trust and thank God in all circumstances.

Being thankful brings us deeper into relationship with God.

I think God is delighted when we give thanks in big and small things.

As Maria sings in The Sound of Music:
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles with warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things


The picture is the view I enjoyed yesterday as I worked at our annual golf tournament.  

  • Thankful for a day outdoors
  • Thankful for good weather
  • Thankful for time to enjoy God’s beautiful creation
  • Thankful for the hawk overhead
  • Thankful for the sunshine and the breeze
  • Thankful for the people I met
  • Thankful for the team of people I work with
  • Thankful for filet mignon for dinner
  • Thankful for my health
  • Thankful for women on the journey studying together


#1000Gifts 

Reflections on Grad School

As I approach the final weeks of graduate school, we were given an assignment to reflect on our time and our growth.  This is what I wrote. 

The Advanced Strategic Management course seems like a point of convergence in that it is bringing together all we have learned within the framework of leadership.  I am seeing in retrospect that my last boss was a collaborative leader practicing the tenets of appreciative inquiry; and I realize that I thrive under this leadership style.  The papers for this course are designed to help us make a personal strategic plan for our own professional growth and I am enjoying that.  I also appreciate the fact that this final course is more practical than theoretical. 
My interactions with you, my cohort mates, have made me a more articulate speaker, a better listener, and a more open-minded person.  You have expanded my understanding of nonprofits, of friendship, of faith, and of worldviews.  Chavonne, you have taught me about caring enough to take action through your ministry with Young Charming Ladies.  Megan, our resident grammar Nazi, you have showed me that there are many different perspectives and ways to view an issue.  Huan, you have been steady and thoughtful and have taught me much about intellectual inquiry.  Corwin, your absence is deeply felt – you taught each of us how to be better, more passionate speakers.  Each of you has opened my horizons and collectively you have loved, supported, and encouraged me, and each other, on this journey.  And I am thankful.  I am proud of how hard we all have worked to achieve this goal. You have asked penetrating questions and not been afraid to wrestle with difficult issues and theoretical concepts, all while looking for a practical application in your lives and work.  Together, we have become stronger advocates for the causes and ministries that we care about.  I pray you will continue on the path of intellectual discovery and growth and that you will seek to use your unique gifts to love and serve others. 
#1000Gifts

My Daughter’s Thoughts on Christmas Day

White Christmas that was melted before (a lovely) sunrise.
Thoughts about being wholehearted and obedient and seeking simplicity. Waking up laughing.
Cuddling with the whole family starting at 6am.
Long morning wanders on the golf course with my mom & aunt.
Dark espresso & eggs/bacon.
Joy from giving & seeing delighted loved ones.
So many blessings in return – Sunlamp alarm clock, baby crockpot, beautiful sea glass jewelry made by my sister, comfy jean shirt, Patagonia jacket, lavender…
Accidental naps on the couch.
Paddle tennis.
Cozy fire & reflection on Christ’s gift.
Champagne cocktails.
Family movie night w/ blanket beds on the floor.
Christmas celebration at it’s best!

Vermont Weekend Celebrating My Little Sister Turning 50

A sprained ligament in my knee did not stop me from hiking to the top of Smuggler’s Notch  (the road is closed in winter and used for hiking) with micro-spikes.  Or snowshoeing up to the cabin at the top of the mountain at Trapp Family Lodge resort.  Or cross-country skiing for a couple of hours in Sterling Forest.  And I enjoyed every moment outdoors even in the snow (actively snowing) and cold. The six inches of snow during the weekend transformed everything into a winter wonderland – all the trees were blanketed in snow. 

Cabin where we had lunch by the fire

But the best part of the weekend was surprising my sister by walking out of the Burlington Airport as she pulled up to the curb to pick up one of her best friends.  She had absolutely no idea that I was coming.  Her two best friends from high school were coming and I managed to get on the same flight as one of them.  We had a great weekend of conversation, feasting, reminiscing, and playing outdoors.  And can’t forget the Banana Grams!

My sister is blessed to have maintained close friendships with at least three friends from high school.  They can laugh together and encourage one another and be honest with each other.  So many stories!  Apparently they all thought I was the cool one in high school – who knew – probably just because I was older.  But they accept me warmly and I am touched. 

Parenting: The Adventure

If I may share a bit of parenting wisdom.  If you are a new parent, or not yet a parent, file this away for the future …

Everyone says that when your children are old enough, they will choose their own faith and the prevailing thought is that you have no control over whether they will choose your faith.  I disagree.  I think if you teach them the faith in their formative years, and disciple them in the 18+ years that you have with them, the choice will be obvious.  The faith is compelling and the “world” does not have to win.  Your children can have a relationship with God from the time that they are small.  Don’t leave it to the church! 

Our pastor, Mark Browne, shared this with me when my first was small and we were diligent to read the Bible as a family, to pray together and to incorporate faith into every aspect of life.  Mine are now 19 and 22 and each has a vibrant faith.  No rebellion to speak of.  Don’t buy into the lie that every child will rebel!

Habits

I follow a blog that recently had these suggestions about creating new habits successfully:

“In practice, doing habits one month at a time is fast. In one year you could:

  • Wake up earlier

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat properly
  • Set up a productivity system
  • Establish deliberate practice time for your craft
  • Become more organized
  • Read a book per month
  • Cut out wasteful Internet surfing
  • Keep your e-mail inbox empty
  • Cut down on television
  • Learn a new skill
  • Maintain a journal or diary”

I’ve highlighted the ones in blue that resonated with me.  Early to Rise inspired me to get going in the mornings and use my time to do what is important to me.  So far I’ve succeeded at 2 of these (running and rising early) and made progress in 3 more (journaling, reading, watercolor/drawing).  Where will I be this time next year?  I feel fully alive now and am excited about living intentionally.

You can read the whole blog about developing habits here.

What resonates with you?

    Running

    At age 52 I took up running.  I feel fully alive.  So great to get outside in the early morning and get the blood flowing.  I am energized and ready to face the day.

    I was a runner.  I am a runner.  Okay, I am a jogger.  I used to be a runner – briefly, in my twenties.  I like running.  I don’t like running.  When I set out, I feel like, “there is no way I can do this.”  At the end I say, “wow, I did it” and that feels great.  So, I recently took up running again.  I am feeling pretty good about the exercise, though I am very slow and find it hard.  I am doing intervals of running and walking with the amount of running/jogging increasing each week.

    Who knew running was such an expensive sport.  I have gradually acquired more clothes, shoes, and stuff as I have become committed to doing it.  I started with what I had, but then I bought some better shoes and a few sleeveless tops.  And some socks – did you know you can pay $14.95 for ONE PAIR of socks?  But they are good – super cushioned – and make my feet much happier.  Then I got some shorts.  Then more socks.  A towel that is supposed to keep me cool.  My latest purchase, a strap that holds both my water bottle and my iPhone – and my hand doesn’t get tired.  Since I have the exercise program on my phone that tells me when to run, when to walk and increases the time gradually, I need my phone but my hand is too sweaty to hold it.  And in this heat, I need the water bottle.   I’m sure I don’t really NEED any of these things, but I enjoy them and they help me.

    So look for me at the park in the early morning or at the gym.  And give me a smile or a nod of encouragement.

    Conversations among Introverts

    I am not a very good conversationalist. (Shh, don’t tell my friends – they might disagree!)  I grew up in a family that loves small talk and social gatherings. I am an introvert so I am not very talkative. Let me give you an example. At a recent cocktail party, I met another woman was also an introvert. Let’s call her Lizzy.  Lizzy runs a nonprofit so I asked her if the organization was a 501(c)(3). That is a yes or no question. It didn’t get very far. Since Lizzy seems to be an introvert she said something to the effect of ‘yes it is’. So then I asked what was their primary source of fundraising. And Lizzy replied that it was an annual gala dinner.

    And from there the conversation fizzled.  Not that I didn’t try.  But it is hard to find ways of connecting with a total stranger. Unlike one of my children who never seems to meet a stranger, I do not instantly connect with very many people.  I am not adept at thinking of good conversation starters or open ended questions.  I don’t think on my feet like some people.  I am better at listening.  I process things internally and not verbally.  My best mode of expression is probably writing, but even there I lean toward brevity. 

    Fully Alive

    I work with a wonderful group of colleagues.  Our newest team member regularly accomplishes the impossible, usually before lunch, and always with a positive attitude.  She is full of enthusiasm and ideas.  Another colleague made a remark to me recently about how she was doing things to grow personally – and she had taken up running and another hobby.  She had just run a 5k and felt great.

    I was impressed and inspired by her desire to grow and stretch herself.  And it challenged me to get serious, to be intentional about some of the things I have been meaning to do.  So, I’ve taken up drawing.  I try to practice for 10-15 minutes per day most days.  I don’t get to it every day, but I have consistently been working at it for about 5 weeks now and am pleased to see that I am learning and improving.  I also decided to get serious about exercise.  I found that I already had an app on my phone which had a program for beginning runners which alternates walking and running, gradually increasing the amount of time spent running.  It takes about 30-35 minutes and I have been doing it 3 times per week for the last four weeks.  It’s still hard, and I’m not great at it – I’m pretty slow.  But I am going to keep at it.

    My next challenge is a book I just ordered called The Early to Rise Experience.  It has 30 days of readings and inspirational messages.  The promo for the book states “Mornings are pregnant with ideas, wisdom and peace. They are an untapped source for a more productive, balanced and joyful life.” Now I obviously know that I can get up earlier without reading a book!  And I am naturally a morning person, but we all need a little kick sometimes to remind us to do what we really want and not sleep in when we could be living life to the full!

    It’s exciting to see how all these proactive strategies are feeding my creative juices and making me more intentional, more thoughtful.  I am full of expectation and fully alive.

    My Daughter, the Nomad

    My oldest spent this summer between her junior and senior year of college doing a 5 week long internship and then leading 4 mission trips.  She ended up traveling over 5,000 miles this summer all over the Eastern half of the U.S.


    This does not include a flight from Atlanta to Providence, the drive back to Chicago or the flight home for Labor Day Weekend.

    This is what comes of being raised in a mission organization and spending childhood traveling!
    One summer we drove from Georgia to Maine [Acadia] and then to Orlando.  This time she was behind the wheel and did most of the driving solo.