I remember where I was when I got my One Word. It was early January of 2016 and I was just leaving the doctor’s office on a cold winter day, and I paused just outside the door to look at a bush. There in the midst of winter was a tiny bit of green. I was reminded to slow down and admire the beauty around me. And it came to me, Serenity is my word. It defines me. It is how I live my life. And it is partly my temperament, but it’s also intentional. Like the choice that I made to stop and admire the landscape, not just hurry on to the next thing (or back to work). It’s about choosing to see and notice the beauty around you. A life lived in a rush does not leave much room for serenity. But slowing down can be hard. Stick around, see how I cultivate Serenity.
Category: Nature
Living Serenity
What is serenity? And how does one find it?
I’m meditating on this One Word for 2016 and woke up early this morning with ideas running through my head, so I got out of bed and began journaling. Here are the preliminary thoughts of things I want to write about:
- Quiet or margin
- Thankfulness
- Meditation
- Reading
- Time Outdoors
These are things that feed my soul. I especially like to get some daily time outside to see the sky and connect with my Creator. The fresh air stimulates my mind. In the coming weeks, I hope to explore these topics in more detail … stay tuned!
The Serene Life
Here’s a working title for what God has been speaking to me about in 2016 … if you know me, you know my name fits me – my parents named me well. I’m feeling a nudge to share my serenity with the world and think I’ll start a new blog. I’m polling ideas for a title on my FB page.
Coming soon – more thoughts on living serenely.
Eucharisteo
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
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!
Girls Weekend – Puget Sound
From Where I Stand
The Tea House
This photo was, I believe taken in early spring [judging by the shade of green in the picture] and we have yet to see it in spring. We are having fun imagining all the use we will get out of it come warmer weather.
Meanwhile, it makes for excellent storage for the patio furniture. And for a few laughs whenever one of us suggests that we could use the tea house … much too cold to even think of going out there now – high of 23 today!
Canvas of the Sky
Spring weather in Philly this year has provided many beautiful vistas with flowers, green grass, new leaves on trees, vibrant bushes, and ever changing patterns of clouds and sky.
The canvas in the sky is ever changing
An interesting architectural feature. This is in a medical building, if I remember correctly [or was it a museum] … anyway, I loved being inside, but being able to look up and be connected to the outdoors. It provided a sense of connectedness even though I was sheltered from the elements.
I always love to watch the sky, to see the ever changing cloud patterns.
Spring!
