Not to mention that I will be back on Saturday and then on Sunday will be serving twice at church. So another shot to my mental and spiritual well being.
More to come.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A needed respite
I am headed to the boat for a couple of days of R&R. Sounds weird to be saying that since I am jobless, but I should stress that being jobless creates its own stress. Being able to get away, even for just a couple of days is invaluable and hopefully do some good for my mind, spirit and overall well-being.
Not to mention that I will be back on Saturday and then on Sunday will be serving twice at church. So another shot to my mental and spiritual well being.
More to come.
Not to mention that I will be back on Saturday and then on Sunday will be serving twice at church. So another shot to my mental and spiritual well being.
More to come.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Seeing God in others
The beauty of God lies not only within you, but within every person you meet in life.
A simple statement I came up with, probably better expressed by others more educated and well versed in spirituality than myself. But, there it is.
My idea behind it is we so often look for God, in the sky, in the Bible, in nature, in ourselves, wherever.
But in my life I have experienced God, or at the minimum a representation of God, in other people. And I am always taught a great lesson as a result.
God exists everywhere and manifests Himself in so many ways I cannot list them here. But one of the many ways He exists and makes Himself known is in the people we interact with, either those people we know or people we only meet incidentally (sometimes especially those people).
God isn't necessarily an active entity making itself manifest in the most obvious way. I believe the entity we know as God exerts Himself (theirself?) in ways we can't comprehend. Perhaps God infiltrates us and exerts their power by flavoring our reactions to other people, thus making it seem that other people are being examples of God.
Just a thought.
But the main idea is God is present in our everyday life. God makes His presence known someway, whether it is obvious (a voice, a calling, an obvious sign) or through some other source in which we perceive God to be acting, another person, a movie, a song etc (thus my theory that God is acting through us to influence our perceptions).
Ok, that last part sounds a bit Big Brotherish. 1984. All that.
But the idea remains, God is active. God is a living entity at work in our world. We can argue ad nauseum why God doesn't prevent disasters and murder etc, but God is real and active. Just look to your neighbor really hard.
You will see God.
A simple statement I came up with, probably better expressed by others more educated and well versed in spirituality than myself. But, there it is.
My idea behind it is we so often look for God, in the sky, in the Bible, in nature, in ourselves, wherever.
But in my life I have experienced God, or at the minimum a representation of God, in other people. And I am always taught a great lesson as a result.
God exists everywhere and manifests Himself in so many ways I cannot list them here. But one of the many ways He exists and makes Himself known is in the people we interact with, either those people we know or people we only meet incidentally (sometimes especially those people).
God isn't necessarily an active entity making itself manifest in the most obvious way. I believe the entity we know as God exerts Himself (theirself?) in ways we can't comprehend. Perhaps God infiltrates us and exerts their power by flavoring our reactions to other people, thus making it seem that other people are being examples of God.
Just a thought.
But the main idea is God is present in our everyday life. God makes His presence known someway, whether it is obvious (a voice, a calling, an obvious sign) or through some other source in which we perceive God to be acting, another person, a movie, a song etc (thus my theory that God is acting through us to influence our perceptions).
Ok, that last part sounds a bit Big Brotherish. 1984. All that.
But the idea remains, God is active. God is a living entity at work in our world. We can argue ad nauseum why God doesn't prevent disasters and murder etc, but God is real and active. Just look to your neighbor really hard.
You will see God.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Spring is over (already)
Summer has peaked in a bit the past couple of days, as if to tell us, 'hey, I'm gonna be hitting ya'll with hot weather and absurd humidity real soon, so enjoy what few nice days you have left.' Meaning, the last couple of days have been too hot for this time of the year. The weather changes so fast in this part of the country it invites constant complaining. I don't even have to leave my apartment or watch the news or even check weather.com to know what is going on with the weather. I just need to check my newsfeed on facebook.
I remember last year around this time I was settling in for what was a very hard summer. I was still reeling from the ending of my relationship, I was adjusting to living with my sister (not a bad thing, but moving is always an adjustment) and one of the most stifling summers in recent memory was beginning to flex its muscles.
And I was so used to being in the part of town I am now back in, with lots and lots of trees (and thus shade). And certainly some traffic, but not shopping center type traffic. My sister lives in a nice neighborhood but it is next to an insane shopping area of town, I think the people who designed the layout were drunk when they submitted their final plans. And since the entire development, including the residential area where she lives, is so new, what few trees there are, are very very new. Not saplings, but not much more than that. So, bad traffic, lots of concrete, new construction, retail shops, no shade at all. The saving grace was of course it was my sister, and niece, I lived with. And I was so very well taken care of.
I certainly enjoy autonomy, but I also miss companionship. Being here in my apartment and jobless, it is easy to feel disconnected, like an island set adrift from humanity.
And back to my original thought. My existence seemed hardest during the long cold winter we endured. I was stuck, sometimes literally, in my apartment. Without a necessity to leave, I would just stay. But it was winter, everyone was miserable so I could make it work.
Fall and what spring we have had were easier. But I feel a brutal summer getting ready to hit. If that is the case, well, not sure what I'm going to do. Put up with it of course, but how to stay mentally connected and in touch while waiting and preparing for the fall. Perhaps some trips to the boat are in order, maybe trips to the pool or other ways to actually get some sun for once.
Yeah, my life is easy in many ways these days, but don't let anyone fool you, being jobless is hard. I empathize with the many countless people going through the same thing and who have been going through it longer than I have.
I remember last year around this time I was settling in for what was a very hard summer. I was still reeling from the ending of my relationship, I was adjusting to living with my sister (not a bad thing, but moving is always an adjustment) and one of the most stifling summers in recent memory was beginning to flex its muscles.
And I was so used to being in the part of town I am now back in, with lots and lots of trees (and thus shade). And certainly some traffic, but not shopping center type traffic. My sister lives in a nice neighborhood but it is next to an insane shopping area of town, I think the people who designed the layout were drunk when they submitted their final plans. And since the entire development, including the residential area where she lives, is so new, what few trees there are, are very very new. Not saplings, but not much more than that. So, bad traffic, lots of concrete, new construction, retail shops, no shade at all. The saving grace was of course it was my sister, and niece, I lived with. And I was so very well taken care of.
I certainly enjoy autonomy, but I also miss companionship. Being here in my apartment and jobless, it is easy to feel disconnected, like an island set adrift from humanity.
And back to my original thought. My existence seemed hardest during the long cold winter we endured. I was stuck, sometimes literally, in my apartment. Without a necessity to leave, I would just stay. But it was winter, everyone was miserable so I could make it work.
Fall and what spring we have had were easier. But I feel a brutal summer getting ready to hit. If that is the case, well, not sure what I'm going to do. Put up with it of course, but how to stay mentally connected and in touch while waiting and preparing for the fall. Perhaps some trips to the boat are in order, maybe trips to the pool or other ways to actually get some sun for once.
Yeah, my life is easy in many ways these days, but don't let anyone fool you, being jobless is hard. I empathize with the many countless people going through the same thing and who have been going through it longer than I have.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The pups
Having my dogs here at my apartment is always a party type atmosphere for me. Especiall y since I don't currently have a job and I don't always have them here. In fact, having them here two or three days a week is a huge deal, but one I have been working hard recently on making happen a lot more.
So, when I have the pups, I will have some wine, spoil the dogs with numerous and lengthy walks, treats, rawhide bones etc. I usually reserve the trips to the dogpark when I know I have limited time with them.
I have had the dogs since yesterday and although I think Kaiser gets bored around me (he is so very attached to Tom it isn't even funny, but that's ok, I'm glad he has that bond) they both get tons of attention and Zelda, my baby girl gets a great workout, which she needs.
My str
ess tends to melt away and I am better able to figure out solutions to whatever crisis I am dealing with. And if I really can't find a solution or even begin to think of a solution to my current crisis, just having the pups with me washes away the stresses I am going through.I will never understand people who abuse animals or even those who take them for granted.
I know my very near future will not have the dogs in it, but I know they will always be in my heart and my love for them and all animals (especially dogs) will be a distinct part of my personality and influence how I am and interact with the world.
And that is a good thing.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
This is from the Gospel reading from today's Daily Office.
Sometimes a piece of scripture rings so true and sounds so clear, I cannot imagine any other piece of scripture being as relevant as what I am reading. This is an example.
We are to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
Not sure I can add anything so I will leave it at that. God bless.
This is from the Gospel reading from today's Daily Office.
Sometimes a piece of scripture rings so true and sounds so clear, I cannot imagine any other piece of scripture being as relevant as what I am reading. This is an example.
We are to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
Not sure I can add anything so I will leave it at that. God bless.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Anticipation
I am existing entirely in anticipation these days. I am waiting to hear back from one seminary and I hope so very much to hear good news. It is my first choice and not only do I hope I am accepted, I hope the financials can work out. But I am also in the process of the final steps of applying to another seminary.
You know that knot that is in your stomach when you are anxious about something? Yeah, that's me. It isn't a bad feeling of dread, but instead a feeling of, 'what comes next? Which is kind of exciting.
It is really all I can think about. My emotions are so up and down, I need to have something settled in my life for once. The last year has been so unsettled and, well, crappy.
So for now I have anticipation. I have plenty of good days behind me. Current times have been challenging but I know better days lie ahead.
You know that knot that is in your stomach when you are anxious about something? Yeah, that's me. It isn't a bad feeling of dread, but instead a feeling of, 'what comes next? Which is kind of exciting.
It is really all I can think about. My emotions are so up and down, I need to have something settled in my life for once. The last year has been so unsettled and, well, crappy.
So for now I have anticipation. I have plenty of good days behind me. Current times have been challenging but I know better days lie ahead.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Happy Derby
This weekend is Kentucky's biggest holiday, the Kentucky Derby. The weekend when Kentucky takes center stage and for once, a good reason. Instead of poverty, trailer parks, tornadoes, etc, the nation and world are shown pageantry, big hats, majestic horses and celebrities.
When a Kentuckian stops to think about it, it does do their heart good. We are disparaged so often, sometimes rightfully sometimes as a media stereotype.
But when My Old Kentucky home is played and the crowd joins in, native Kentuckians can't help but feel a sense of pride for once, and sometimes, as I often do, have a tear to add.
So all in all it is just a great day for all.
Happy Derby.
When a Kentuckian stops to think about it, it does do their heart good. We are disparaged so often, sometimes rightfully sometimes as a media stereotype.
But when My Old Kentucky home is played and the crowd joins in, native Kentuckians can't help but feel a sense of pride for once, and sometimes, as I often do, have a tear to add.
So all in all it is just a great day for all.
Happy Derby.
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