24 April 2024
21 April 2024
31 March 2024
The crownless again shall be king
30 March 2024
27 March 2024
26 March 2024
23 February 2024
27 January 2024
If, by Rudyard Kipling
24 January 2024
13 January 2024
08 January 2024
When Life Feels Far from What You Imagined, by Joshua Becker over at "Becoming Minimalist"
When Life Feels Far from What You Imagined
by Joshua Becker
Life never fully goes as planned. In fact, nobody escapes unscathed as the old saying goes.
But sometimes, the trials and pains of life throw us so far from the life we dreamt for ourselves, it is difficult to find our bearings.
For any number of reasons, within or outside our control, life unfolded in ways we never anticipated and we find ourselves navigating through a reality we never desired‚ or in some cases, we'd never even wish upon our worst enemy.
We were unexpectedly given a painful health diagnosis, experienced the loss of a child, lost a marriage we fought hard to save, felt the brunt of an economic downturn, or suffered firsthand the devastation from a natural disaster.
For whatever reason, the life we live today feels far from the life we imagined for ourselves. Maybe, living isn’t even the word we'd use to describe our circumstances—surviving might be the best we can muster.
Sometimes the present trials and circumstances are a result of our actions—but not always. Sometimes our circumstances are no fault of our own. And sometimes they occurred quickly, while other times they slowly built over time.
Regardless, they have become the life we are presently living.
If that is you today, living a life far from what you imagined, I want you to know that you are not alone. You are not the only one suffering. You are not forgotten. I see you and feel for you and love you. And if that is all you need to hear today, then I hope it encourages you.
But I also want you to know that while life might not look like what you imagined, it still holds potential for growth, impact, fulfillment, and meaning.
If you are breathing today, life still holds opportunity. And you need to believe that. Because you’ll never take steps toward joy until you believe they are possible.
No matter your age, your health, your surroundings, or your circumstances, the rest of your life can be lived intentionally for your good and the good of those around you.
I’m not here to tell you the road will be easy. If it was, you would have already found it. But it does exist. So hold your head up high.
If your life feels far from what you imagined, here are some truths and practices to help you reignite hope:
Recognize and Embrace the Now
This present moment, no matter how imperfect, is your life and it is where your life is happening. There’s no joy to be found in thinking it is different than it is. So, embrace it as true. But remember, embracing the now doesn't mean giving up on the future; it only means recognizing the value of today.
Understand the Power of Choice
While we cannot control everything that happens to us, we always have a choice in how we respond. This involves discerning between what is within our power to change and what we must learn to accept. But there are always factors we can control, our attitude for example. And that should never be overlooked.
Seek Joy in Simplicity
In difficult circumstances, the need to find joy in simple, everyday moments is even more important and can be incredibly grounding. Whether it's the warmth of the sun, a conversation with a friend, a pain-free afternoon, the laughter of a child, or a good book, these simple joys remind us of hope and joy.
Cultivate Gratitude and Positivity
There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. Even when life is far from what we envisioned, there are aspects of it for which we can be grateful. Basing our expressions of gratitude on changed circumstances will never bring them about. We must look, purposefully and intently every day, for reasons to be grateful.
Work Harder at Connections
Human relationships are a great resource in times of hardship. Reaching out for support and offering it in return creates a network of empathy and understanding, reminding us that we are not journeying alone. But this is harder for us to do when we feel our life has become something we wish it wasn’t. Humility and love can bring you back. So make that phone call today.
Dissolve Envy with Encouragement
It can be hard to celebrate the successes of others when we feel life has treated us unfairly. Work hard to not allow jealousy or envy to take root in your heart or relationships. Work to dissolve it by cheering and encouraging others instead.
Practice Self-Compassion
Be gentle with yourself. Recognize that feeling overwhelmed or disheartened is a natural response to life's trials. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a dear friend.
Try Something New
If the old foundations on which you built your life have fallen away, look for a new foundation. Turn to faith or lean into the support of a close-knit community group, neighborhood, or club.
Pursue Personal Growth
Every remaining day is an opportunity for growth. And while your life may never become what you imagined it to be, engaging in activities that promote self-discovery and personal development will help you begin to re-imagine what the rest of your life can still become.
The world can be cruel. And life will always be unpredictable and complex. Your present journey may not be the one you wanted, but it is yours. And you are still important.
01 January 2024
Five Helps for the New Year given one year by Bishop Michael Ramsey to his clergy
18 December 2023
Annunciation to Mary, Rainer Maria Rilke
Annunciation to Mary
by Rainer Maria Rilke
The angel’s entrance (you must realize)
was not what made her frightened. The surprise
he gave her by his coming was no more
than sun or moon-beam stirring on the floor
would give another, — she had long since grown
used to the form that angels wear, descending;
never imaging this coming-down
was hard for them. (O it’s past comprehending,
how pure she was. Did not one day, a hind
that rested in a wood, watchfully staring,
feel her deep influence, and did it not
conceive the unicorn, then, without pairing,
the pure beast, beast which light begot, — )
No, not to see him enter, but to find
the youthful angel’s countenance inclined
so near to her; that when he looked, and she
looked up at him, their looks so merged in one
the world outside grew vacant, suddenly,
and all things being seen, endured and done
were crowded into them: just she and he
eye and its pasture, visions and its view,
here at the point and at this point alone:-
see, this arouses fear. Such fear both knew.
From The Life of Mary by Rainer Maria Rilke – From Selected Work, Vol. II Poetry, translated by J.B. Leishman, Hogarth Press, © 1960.
06 December 2023
The Dalai Lama on limit-setting
Back in the fall of 1990, the Dalai Lama visited my hometown, Middlebury, Vermont, for a symposium on "Spirit and Nature," which featured leaders and scholars from Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim world views. The question of how religion and spirituality might aid (or block) an environmental ethic was an important one then, and (it could be argued) the issue is even more important today. I had the pleasure of going to all the sessions, while on a break from my senior year in college. There is a book that was produced with transcripts from all the presentations and there is also a video that was produced by Bill Moyers by the same name, "Spirit and Nature."
I was excited to find this short clip (1 minute) on YouTube of an interchange between Moyers and the Dalai Lama about where reverence for the environment (in this case a mosquito) might have boundaries. What I find most wonderful about this interchange is not only the Dalai Lama's rich practice of his 'belief,' but also his wonderful spirit of humor, lightness, and playfulness ... check it out HERE. (Oh, and whoever loaded it on YouTube called it "the Dalai Lama kills a mosquito," however, it seems that isn't quite accurate...but I don't want to spoil the punchline...)
Do check it out; priceless.
05 December 2023
Plagiarizing Buechner
04 December 2023
Advent Credo
Allan Boesak
Advent Credo
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.
Allan Boesak (born 1946) is a South African pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church, politician, anti-apartheid activist, and author of fifteen books. This poem is taken from his book Walking on Thorns (Eerdmans, 1984), and is often but wrongly attributed to Daniel Berrigan.
Posted November 2023 on "Journey with Jesus" website