To celebrate what seems like a rash of good fortune lately – successful removal of a bothersome neuroma on my foot and the ability to purchase a beautiful new car before my 11-year old Honda bit the dust being at the forefront of my grateful mind – and because it was a gorgeous and incredibly hot day in April, and just because, I gave myself a spiritual treat today.
Some lovely and kind folks that I know only slightly have created a labyrinth on a hillside above Canandaigua Lake. They make it available to anyone who would like to use it, and though I’ve known about it for some time, I’ve never before walked in this beautiful spot. Today I did and am filled with gladness and gratitude.
Do you know about labyrinths? They are a meditation tool of a circular design where one follows a path to the center and out again. It’s not a maze. There’s one way in and one way out. You just have to follow the path. And while you do, you meditate, pray, ponder, let your mind wander, let your mind be quiet – you just follow the path wherever it takes you.
I first experienced this form of walking meditation about six months after my husband Dave died and grieving was the central focus of my life. I was sad certainly. And I was also impatient to get this grief crap over with! As I circled and circled before I reached that labyrinth’s center, I was struck with metaphor. I couldn’t hurry through that pain – not if I wanted to stay on a healthy path.
It was a powerful lesson, and I’ve sought out labyrinths ever since. They pop up in surprising places. I’ve walked a circular path on a church patio in Clearwater, Florida, at a cemetery west of Orlando, at a local college where a labyrinth group meets monthly, at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco from whence much labyrinth activity originates, at our own high school during a staff wellness day, and now in a quiet meadow just minutes from my home.
Some labyrinths are painted on canvas that can be spread out on a gym floor and folded up when you’re done. Some are painted on concrete. Some are stone paths. Some are even laptop versions that you trace with your fingers. Today’s was rich thick grass and clover that my unseen hosts must painstakingly mow with considerable frequency.
Today I was pondering the roles of trust and gratitude in my life. I went feeling grateful, but the trust metaphor didn’t occur to me until I’d been walking a while. The impatience that too often interferes with my serenity began to arise. Was I on the right path? Had I missed something? Shouldn’t I be at the center by now? Oh. Right. Just follow the path. Trust the path. It will take you where you need to go. It did. And as it did, I began to think of all the other things I ought to trust. My own abilities. That the world can be a generous, giving, abundant place. Hmmm…
In the center, I enacted a small ritual of my own. I faced east – opposite to the labyrinth’s entrance – and said, “I have the courage to face new beginnings.” I turned to face north – where I could see my new baby automobile parked along the country road – and said, “I trust myself to face challenges.” I faced west and said, “I have the courage to face endings and to let go what ought to be let go.” As I turned south, the sun emerged from a brief stay behind a cloud and I said, “I bask! In joy remembered, in joy of this day, in joy to come! I bask!” I turned a few more times chanting gratitudes. For the gifts of the earth, for my relative wealth, for the beauty of the birdsong that surrounded me, for the beautiful souls who offer and care for this space on their land, for so much more.
As it so often seems to me, my journey out took far less time than my it took to go in. As I reached the spot where I had entered, I was reluctant to leave. The wind ruffled my hair and blouse as I looked back on the path I had taken in two directions. I began to plan another visit.
Is there a labyrinth near you? I bet there is. You can find out at http://labyrinthlocator.com/. Maybe it’s not a tool for you, but it just might be. And if you’d like to try a digital version from the comfort of your very own computer screen, give this a try http://www.gratefulness.org/labyrinth/index.htm.
In the meantime, I’m wishing you rich opportunities to experience trust and gratitude this week! Just follow that path!
Sally
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday Moment - Join me in the National President's Challenge
This is a different kind of Monday Moment – one that I hope will get us all up and moving. Keep reading and then sign up to join me in being an active and healthy person!
YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN THE PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE!
Sally Crosiar has started a group to take the President's Challenge together:
Healthy People Learn is the group name. And you're invited to be part of it!
WHAT IS IT?
The President's Challenge is a series of programs designed to help improve anyone's activity level. Joining a group is a great way to make staying active easy.
To learn more about the President's Challenge, go to:
http://www.PresidentsChallenge.org
WHY JOIN?
Staying active with others can be a lot of fun. They'll help keep you motivated - even when you don't really feel like it. Groups are a great way to meet new people. There are even programs for people at different activity levels: the Active Lifestyle program aimed at beginners, and the Presidential Champions program for those who are already active.
Signing up for a group is simple. And there's no limit to how any you can belong to. You can join or leave at any time. All you have to do is register. It's quick, and there's no cost just to participate!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
HOW TO JOIN:
1) Go to http://www.PresidentsChallenge.org/login/register_individual.aspx
2) Fill out the registration form.
* Be sure to include the following info during registration *
Our Group Name: Healthy People Learn
Your Group ID Number: 81466
Your Group Member Number: Choose your own number. I suggest the month, day, and year of your birth. (I think this will work – it’s new to me too.)
3) After registering, start logging your activities. As you log activities you'll be able to track your progress toward winning a President's Challenge Award or Medal.
Good luck!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-- The President's Challenge --
http://www.PresidentsChallenge.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I’ll be logging my activity levels beginning May 1. I hope you’ll join me. Let’s see what our virtual community can do!
Sally
YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN THE PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE!
Sally Crosiar has started a group to take the President's Challenge together:
Healthy People Learn is the group name. And you're invited to be part of it!
WHAT IS IT?
The President's Challenge is a series of programs designed to help improve anyone's activity level. Joining a group is a great way to make staying active easy.
To learn more about the President's Challenge, go to:
http://www.PresidentsChallenge.org
WHY JOIN?
Staying active with others can be a lot of fun. They'll help keep you motivated - even when you don't really feel like it. Groups are a great way to meet new people. There are even programs for people at different activity levels: the Active Lifestyle program aimed at beginners, and the Presidential Champions program for those who are already active.
Signing up for a group is simple. And there's no limit to how any you can belong to. You can join or leave at any time. All you have to do is register. It's quick, and there's no cost just to participate!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
HOW TO JOIN:
1) Go to http://www.PresidentsChallenge.org/login/register_individual.aspx
2) Fill out the registration form.
* Be sure to include the following info during registration *
Our Group Name: Healthy People Learn
Your Group ID Number: 81466
Your Group Member Number: Choose your own number. I suggest the month, day, and year of your birth. (I think this will work – it’s new to me too.)
3) After registering, start logging your activities. As you log activities you'll be able to track your progress toward winning a President's Challenge Award or Medal.
Good luck!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-- The President's Challenge --
http://www.PresidentsChallenge.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I’ll be logging my activity levels beginning May 1. I hope you’ll join me. Let’s see what our virtual community can do!
Sally
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday Moment - Pride, Gratitude, and Hope
On Saturday evening we were guests at the Hopewell Volunteer Fire Department’s annual banquet because that generous man I live with had done a no-charge engineering job for them.
I’ll be honest and say that my primary interest in attending was that there would be dancing after dinner. I love to dance and don’t ever seem to get enough. Sitting through dinner and an awards ceremony with people I don’t know – well that just seemed like something I’d have to tolerate until it was time for dancing.
But that’s where I was surprised. Let me set the scene.
About 100 people with an age range that spanned (I’m guessing here) from early 20’s to mid-90’s had gathered to celebrate this Volunteer Fire Department’s 50th year. These were ordinary folk, men and women who looked like they worked hard at their chosen professions. Some were dressed up for a special occasion. Others seemed to have come as they were. Conversation flowed in the room as neighbors greeted neighbors. The expression ‘salt of the earth’ came to mind.
As we were served our salad, the current Fire Chief showed a slide show and video that traced the history of service to this rural community. We saw photos of early founders, terrible car crashes, chicken barbeques, burnt out buildings, children perched atop fire trucks acquired from neighboring towns, names in reflective tape on the backs of firefighting uniforms. The people at our table provided commentary, identifying family members, neighbors, friends of their parents, even themselves in earlier days. “That was the time…” they’d say, reliving occasions when they’d faced danger, worked, and played together.
The pride was palpable, and clearly well-deserved. I found myself surprisingly moved. The Department’s chosen leaders, President and Chief, distributed awards honoring the top ten responders, friends who had supported the group’s efforts – WalMart, the town of Hopewell, the man who provided the meat for the spaghetti supper and whose refrigerated truck was pressed into service at various fund-raising functions.
Only one of the charter members was present. As he accepted several awards for his long service, the crowd joined in spontaneous standing ovations. He spoke briefly about his pride in the department of today. “Considering that we started with absolutely nothing, we’ve come a long, long way.” He spoke of citizens who donated land for their two fire stations, of how everyone pitched in to dig foundations, erect buildings, and shingle roofs, and hold all those fund-raisers needed to buy exciting things like fire trucks and mundane things like paper napkins.
The Women’s Auxiliary delivered a check from those fund-raisers to erect a new sign and flag pole and then proceeded to honor the fire department’s founding mothers who began their organization forty years ago this year. As their names were called out, eight women came forward. One reached for another’s hand and soon the whole line was joined together, leaning on each other in this moment of recognition as I imagined they must have done throughout their long years of friendship.
It was an evening I was proud to witness, especially as I realized this was only a sample of the good men and women who serve. Hopewell is just one of sixteen towns in our county. New York has fifty-six counties – many of which are also served, town by town, by similar volunteer fire departments. Good men and women serve in this manner all across our country, and I hope that every one of them will enjoy a good meal, excellent company, and a chance to feel proud of their efforts. And of course, to dance.
From here on, I’ll be thinking of all those good folks any time I pass a firehouse or see the tell-tale flashing blue lights atop a volunteer’s vehicle. I’ll feel proud of them – for the important work they do as well as for the community they create. I’ll feel grateful. And I’ll feel somehow hopeful for all our futures just knowing that people like volunteer fire fighters and their friends, family, and neighbors are willing to give so much of themselves.
May you experience something that fills you with pride, gratitude, and hope in the coming week!
I’ll be honest and say that my primary interest in attending was that there would be dancing after dinner. I love to dance and don’t ever seem to get enough. Sitting through dinner and an awards ceremony with people I don’t know – well that just seemed like something I’d have to tolerate until it was time for dancing.
But that’s where I was surprised. Let me set the scene.
About 100 people with an age range that spanned (I’m guessing here) from early 20’s to mid-90’s had gathered to celebrate this Volunteer Fire Department’s 50th year. These were ordinary folk, men and women who looked like they worked hard at their chosen professions. Some were dressed up for a special occasion. Others seemed to have come as they were. Conversation flowed in the room as neighbors greeted neighbors. The expression ‘salt of the earth’ came to mind.
As we were served our salad, the current Fire Chief showed a slide show and video that traced the history of service to this rural community. We saw photos of early founders, terrible car crashes, chicken barbeques, burnt out buildings, children perched atop fire trucks acquired from neighboring towns, names in reflective tape on the backs of firefighting uniforms. The people at our table provided commentary, identifying family members, neighbors, friends of their parents, even themselves in earlier days. “That was the time…” they’d say, reliving occasions when they’d faced danger, worked, and played together.
The pride was palpable, and clearly well-deserved. I found myself surprisingly moved. The Department’s chosen leaders, President and Chief, distributed awards honoring the top ten responders, friends who had supported the group’s efforts – WalMart, the town of Hopewell, the man who provided the meat for the spaghetti supper and whose refrigerated truck was pressed into service at various fund-raising functions.
Only one of the charter members was present. As he accepted several awards for his long service, the crowd joined in spontaneous standing ovations. He spoke briefly about his pride in the department of today. “Considering that we started with absolutely nothing, we’ve come a long, long way.” He spoke of citizens who donated land for their two fire stations, of how everyone pitched in to dig foundations, erect buildings, and shingle roofs, and hold all those fund-raisers needed to buy exciting things like fire trucks and mundane things like paper napkins.
The Women’s Auxiliary delivered a check from those fund-raisers to erect a new sign and flag pole and then proceeded to honor the fire department’s founding mothers who began their organization forty years ago this year. As their names were called out, eight women came forward. One reached for another’s hand and soon the whole line was joined together, leaning on each other in this moment of recognition as I imagined they must have done throughout their long years of friendship.
It was an evening I was proud to witness, especially as I realized this was only a sample of the good men and women who serve. Hopewell is just one of sixteen towns in our county. New York has fifty-six counties – many of which are also served, town by town, by similar volunteer fire departments. Good men and women serve in this manner all across our country, and I hope that every one of them will enjoy a good meal, excellent company, and a chance to feel proud of their efforts. And of course, to dance.
From here on, I’ll be thinking of all those good folks any time I pass a firehouse or see the tell-tale flashing blue lights atop a volunteer’s vehicle. I’ll feel proud of them – for the important work they do as well as for the community they create. I’ll feel grateful. And I’ll feel somehow hopeful for all our futures just knowing that people like volunteer fire fighters and their friends, family, and neighbors are willing to give so much of themselves.
May you experience something that fills you with pride, gratitude, and hope in the coming week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
