Category: Serenity

These days, in the midst of COVID-19 stay at home, it’s the simple pleasures that matter most. An unusual bird at the feeder. A glimpse of the sea. A pretty sunset. New potted plants. A delicious birthday dinner. Video chat with family. And always the thing I love to savor most – being outdoors. Tea on the back deck. Sitting by the not-yet-open pool to bask in the sun or talk on the phone with an old friend. It’s always a good time to slow down.

BE HERE NOW.

Grace upon grace.

Savor every moment!

It’s been almost three years since my dad died, and today I walked into his workshop for the first time in many months. I was immediately assailed by the smell of sawdust, so pervasive, even after all this time. I was instantly transported back to seeing my dad at work in his shop through the years. My dad had a strong work ethic and loved to make things. The large wood shop still retains its essence with tools, wood, and bits of projects lying around. It has a strong sense of place. My dad was continually building things and gave me a love for all things architectural as we wandered through houses under construction including his custom retirement home being built. 

I hope to learn more woodworking skills and carry on dad’s legacy and make use of his wonderful wood shop.

I am blessed to have a number of his handmade pieces in my home, but the one that I treasure most is one that he and I did together.

I have so many great memories of my dad who taught me the value of hard work and taking pride in creating beautiful things.

Taking daily walks with my 85 year old mother while I stay with her for a few weeks. She has walked daily since she was about 50. Her walks are shorter now and her pace has slowed, but she still keeps at it. I hope to be as energetic when I am her age. She takes care of her home, cooking, shopping, laundry, her personal affairs, keeping up with reading the NYTimes, and small projects around the house. Today she put up the bird feeder for the goldfinches having recently arrived back at her summer home in New England.

Here she is last summer with her granddaughter, undaunted by having to walk through the water to reach the beach. Her fortitude and spirit are enviable.

I first learned about the concept of daily rituals from Michael Hyatt who writes about productivity and success in work and life. I first adopted the concept of morning and evening rituals and workday startup and shutdown rituals when I adopted the Full Focus Planner about 2 1/2 years ago. I’ve long been a fan of a daily planner, but this is the best I’ve ever used and includes a whole system for goals, productivity, and short and long term planning.

I made my rituals into a bookmark which I kept in my planner and used as a checklist.

I hope the power of rituals might help you to feel more organized and in control of your days.

As I was thinking about how to share this, I did a quick Google search and found several helpful articles on daily rituals and thought I would share them here.

The Surprising Power of Daily Rituals

Rituals

8 Morning Rituals that’ll Transform Your Workday

Start your workday right: Create a workday startup ritual

I hope that some of these may inspire you to find daily habits that improve your productivity, creativity, and daily life.

What are some of your favorite rituals? Let me know in the comments.

It’s the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are all in our own homes. I’m watching church online as has become the new norm. Our church hosts services Sunday morning with music and message and the church leadership has adapted creatively to the ‘stay at home’ lifestyle we are all experiencing. It makes us feel a little more connected when we can at least see our pastors and worship leaders.

Today’s message was entitled “Songs for the Journey” and focused on how God is our Shepherd from Psalm 23. We were also encouraged to practice prayer walks and meditate on the Names of God. We also have a weekly community group via zoom where we talk about the week’s message and about how our faith is growing. I’m thankful for these ways to stay connected and keep growing my faith.

Reflections captured on my daily walk along the river on the way to work. Love the few minutes of time outdoors and enjoying weather and the views as I walk in to start my day at work.

One of the things that drives me is a love of the created world and an appreciation for life and beauty. My favorite thing to do is to just be, to go outside and breathe. To soak in the sunshine and absorb the fresh air. I love listening to the nature sounds all around me. I like to feel the breeze. I savor the bracing cold and the blazing heat alike. I notice colors and textures. I look for birds and wildlife. I find it to be just what I need to refresh and rejuvenate. Connecting with the outdoors brings me life and energy and joy.

What do you do to refresh your soul?

#optoutdoors

A few weeks ago as I pulled out of my driveway early one morning to meet my friends for breakfast at the deli, I paused to savor the beauty of this sunrise:

I stopped long enough to snap a photo with my phone and to remember.

Here’s a note from my journal when I was in Florida:

And then I found this beautiful quote from one of my favorite authors:

“We find these magical moments every day—drinking our morning coffee, reading the daily paper, eating lunch with a friend, drinking a glass of wine while admiring the sunset, or saying, ‘Good night, sleep tight . . .’ at bedtime. The holy in the daily; the sacred in the single act of living. . . . A time to do the dishes. And a time to walk the dog” (Fulghum, 1995, pp. 3, 254).

Take a moment today and savor the beauty around you. Stop and look at clouds or something else that you find awe-inspiring.