Recently, I read the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Below are my thoughts on one specific section. Enjoy!

“Sanctuary of Time”---Excerpts from pages 64-77

            In this section, Ann talks about busyness and hurry verses living in the present moment. All of life doesn’t have to be lived rushing, hurrying. “Hurry hurts the soul.” Everything is not an emergency. Ann says that when we live eucharisteo, we “redeem time from neglect and apathy and inattentiveness” as we “swell with thanks.” In giving thanks to God for the moment, we actually “multiply the moments” and time is made enough. According to Ann, “It’s ridiculous how much joy a moment can hold.”

My natural propensity is to make lists, to feel good when I am checking things off, and to feel overwhelmed and frustrated when I’m not making satisfactory progress. When I lunge and plunge head-long into preparing for what’s ahead, hurrying toward something and someday, I fail to notice the gifts of the moment, the joy of the here and now. How can I say, “Thank you” for all the blessings, the gifts, if I am rushing past them without even noticing.

Imaging driving up Hwy. 1 along the Oregon coast and failing to notice the breathtaking splendor of the rocky coast as it touches the crashing waves. What if all one did was read the map, look for road signs that give the distance to the next town, check the time, and glance over at the speedometer.  What a shame it would be to miss the beauty of the moment, while of staring at the pavement ahead, fretting about getting to some destination ahead.

It is sad but true---I have at times been like that. What have I missed along the way? Slowly, I am changing. As I look for and anticipate the “gifts” and then give thanks, I am more and more living in the present. I don’t want to miss the goodness of God in a single moment.  While a case can certainly be made for making preparations for the future or having goals, the future can’t always take precedence over the glory and grace of the present.

Like Ann, “I want enough time. Time to breath deep and time to see real and time to laugh long, time to give You glory and rest deep and sing joy, and just enough time in a day not to feel hounded, press, driven, or wild to get it all done.” “I want to slow down and taste life, give thanks, and see God.”

             I want to notice more, enjoy more, and worship more. When my joy level increases, my focus on the negative decreases. The problems and struggles in this broken world are tamed by gratitude.  My attitude and perspective are improved, my spirit is renewed, and gradually I am changed.  I don’t want to miss any of my “one thousand gifts.” Thus, I will go on naming and numbering God’s goodness.

             Eucharisteo. Living more fully by thanking the Giver of all good gifts.

 

(c) Marlene Depler. Permission needed to reproduce or publish in any form.

Summer Won't Last Forever

One blink and it’s already past the Fourth of July! How is it that these wonderful long days fly by like a flashes of lightning? Summer seems like it just started, but if we check the calendar, we’re almost half way through. SLOW DOWN! I want to shout to the blue sky.

As each summer approaches, I always have the illusion of an endlessly long string of days with lots of time for all the things I want to do: gardening, walking, traveling, swimming with grandkids, mountain adventures, reading on the porch swing, sipping coffee on the patio with my husband, lunch with a friend, and a whole lot more. Somehow I anticipate more than I could ever achieve at the level I desire. Perhaps it would be fair to say that I’m a bit overly optimistic. When my unrealistic expectations get thrown in the mix with the daily stuff that consumes my focus, it can be a recipe for disappointment when September arrives.

This summer, I’m attempting to be more proactive about actually putting some things on the calendar. If I don’t plan and schedule, the things I thought I would do someday never happen. This often means that I must push aside my frustration over the lack of dusting, dirty windows, stacks of paperwork, and other such things to make time for what’s more important.

I am scheduling some time with each individual grandchild. It seems to do them a world of good to have one on one time where they are the center of my attention. I have also taken the younger five to the wading pool. (I must do that again!) I still want to schedule a day for granddaughters and then one for grandsons. Summer may be flying by, but at least a few of my good intentions are becoming a reality.

I’m also trying to be more spontaneous. When my husband suggested a mountain drive two weekends in a row, I went willingly. Such enjoyable days. I’ve also stopped washing dishes to delight in a humming bird out my kitchen window. After dinner, I often slip on my walking shoes and step out the door to soak in the warmth and beauty of the evening.

No, summer won’t last forever. But I’ll do my best to savor little moments in a myriad of ways. And when I think about, I’m reminded that my summers are numbered. Even if I live to be eighty, I only have 22 summers left! Yes, I must fill my summers with what I love—what matters most! My motto today is:

“SEIZE SUMMER. Squeeze out every blessed drop of joy.”

(c) Marlene Depler 2009

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day Ten

Delight in the Ordinary

Have you seen this quote: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.

This really makes me stop and think. We may not have breathless moments on a regular basis—unless we are running up and down the stairs. But perhaps if we paid closer attention to the beauty and wonder around us, we would savor our lives more.

Do we take delight in the simple ordinary moments each day? Do we really listen for the laughter? Do we notice the snowflakes? Are we in awe of the twinkling stars? Do we study the expressions on the faces around us?

It takes all of our senses to find the joy and pleasure in the everyday, especially when we get busy preparing for the holidays. In our rush, we may just forget to enjoy the little things and to treasure what is most important to us. It's not the hype that makes us happy.

I can’t say that I have had any moments that took by breath away today, but I did cherish the time spent with my oldest granddaughter. We laughed together as we mixed up a Tunnel of Fudge Cake that we will serve for Christmas dinner. I also savored the sweetness of a clementine. I took delight in a quiet evening with my husband.

It may only be a couple of days before Christmas with much we still think needs to be accomplished. Nevertheless, let’s do our best to catch our breath, stop a moment, and delight in the simple joys all around us.

At My Fingertips, Under My Nose

This morning I decided to put my vanilla yogurt in a lovely cut glass dish and top it with granola and fresh blueberries. Normally, I eat it out of the container, but not today. I thought, I have these beautiful dishes that my stepmother gave me, why not use them and enjoy them. And thus, I had a breakfast that was definitely more elegant and pleasant than my normal fare.

I find I overlook many things that are easily accessible to me—things that are at my fingertips and under my nose. Ever since my last blog entry, I have continued to think in this vain. (I talked about having the gorgeous Rocky Mountains so close and deciding I needed to enjoy them more often.) I asked myself what I might be missing. What little blessings and opportunities are waiting for me to notice and take advantage of them?

Often we think we don’t have the time or money to go here or do this and that. So we wait for the planets to align. Yet in reality, there are multitudes of ways we can enrich our lives, many of which cost nothing (or very little) and take very little time.

I came up with several things that I will chronicle in photos below. Some I have already enjoyed, while others are on the horizon. I have some wonderful experiences to look forward to. So read below and be inspired to open your eyes and come up with your own list of opportunities that you can’t wait to take advantage of. Don’t miss out on a thing. Seize every opportunity.

There are only three public rose gardens in the state. Longmont has one of them. Even though it's five minutes from my house, I hadn't been there in several years. So on my birthday, my younest daughter, granddaughter, and I went to enjoy the fabulous blooms and sweet fragance of dozens and dozens of roses.

In the course of my busy days, I fail to enjoy my upstairs deck. Late one afternoon, I decided it was time to take advantage of my shady deck and enjoy the view. So I made a glass of iced peppermint tea (see below) and had a 20 minute vacation without ever leaving home!




This is the view from my deck. Isn't it great? I think I should enjoy it more often.

This is my peppermint patch in my garden. Rarely do I ever use the peppermint even though I'm a fan of peppermint. I decided to change that. See next photo.

I picked some fresh peppermint and made iced peppermint tea. Delicious and refreshing on a hot summer afternoon!

I walk by my bicycle everytime I go in and out of the garage. Yet it's been years since I've gotten on it and taken a spin. So in the next few days, I plan to go for a ride.

I have lived here for 0ver 18 years and have never taken the time to visit our local musuem. I intend to remedy that very soon.

I haven't been to the public library in ages. I have plans for a book of fun fiction very soon. And it won't cost me anything!