When I was a young woman, still in high school, I dreamed of being a forest ranger. When I was a bit older, I dreamed of living in a cabin in the deep woods of Canada. No one I knew at the time understood these feelings; they thought I just wanted to escape the world. But to me, that would be more like returning to the world and immersing myself fully in it. (I guess I just didn't think of "people" as the "world.") Thanks for reminding me of that ... now I just want to sit in front of some fire with a hot drink and a blizzard outside and read a book or crochet another scarf ... the dreams of old age are definitely not the same as the dreams of youth! Happy holidays!
That sounds just like a wonderful retreat, Barbara! We are looking for different kind of homes throughout life, don’t we? In the end we might look for our sanctuary where we can be in peace and whole 😇
Thank you for this reminder to move with the season. As someone who probably has seasonal affective disorder, I get especially cranky and sad when it is cold and snowy. A few years ago, during a spiritual direction session, it was a revelation to try to move with the winter season instead of against it. I am grateful for your wisdom here and pointing out the beauty of it!
So glad to hear that. @Katherine May has written a whole book on “wintering” which you might know. And Hildegard and the monastics since ages have been good in honoring both the seasons of the year and the liturgical seasons. I also always struggle at the beginning of winter. But then I just lean into hibernation :-)
A true gift of song, poem and pictures. Tonight what struck me was leaving what is undone, undone. That is such a foreign concept as most Americans are measured by productivity. How many plates we can spin in the air without one falling, how many widgets or words or reports produced. How many students crammed into classrooms be filled to capacity with facts and figures to pass the MCAs, or get high scores on the SAT or ACT. I could go on and on but I won’t. It’s Your beautiful invitation to leave things just where they are to gather within for reflection and solace and comfort warms this old woman’s heart. And how I look forward to the 12 Days of Christmas!
oh, Kathleen, your words are always both fun and deep, like: “How many plates we can spin in the air without one falling…”. That is the true art of irony, Kierkegaard would say :-) And we do need some gracious irony to look at ourselves and the habits we have formed, as society and for our very self, don’t we? So thank you for your wonderful insights. I am looking forward journeying with you again (though as always I have no idea how to even begin!)
As our family has become more scattered, we now celebrate Christmas in the summer (the date moves according to family schedules). This makes traveling easier (no snow or ice) and good health more likely (especially with the littles). We have our gift exchanges, and I fully decorate (yes, snowmen out in July) and bake. This is such a fun weekend!
Then at this time of year, I simply set out a few nativity creches and candles. We have a simple season with plenty of time to just "be". And this opens Christmas day for our children and grandchildren to spend a day together as they would like!
Thank you for this opportunity to join the 12 Days of Christmas. I'm excited! And may you experience so much joy this season. Thank you!
What a great way to celebrate Christmas, Karen. Christmas in Summer. I like that :-) And a quiet December instead. Looking forward to journey with you through this sacred time.
I really needed these words to help calm my soul. There is much uncertainty in my life due to illness in our family. I have resonated with your writing since discovering you Substack shortly before the election. Thank you.
When I was a young woman, still in high school, I dreamed of being a forest ranger. When I was a bit older, I dreamed of living in a cabin in the deep woods of Canada. No one I knew at the time understood these feelings; they thought I just wanted to escape the world. But to me, that would be more like returning to the world and immersing myself fully in it. (I guess I just didn't think of "people" as the "world.") Thanks for reminding me of that ... now I just want to sit in front of some fire with a hot drink and a blizzard outside and read a book or crochet another scarf ... the dreams of old age are definitely not the same as the dreams of youth! Happy holidays!
That sounds just like a wonderful retreat, Barbara! We are looking for different kind of homes throughout life, don’t we? In the end we might look for our sanctuary where we can be in peace and whole 😇
Thank you for this reminder to move with the season. As someone who probably has seasonal affective disorder, I get especially cranky and sad when it is cold and snowy. A few years ago, during a spiritual direction session, it was a revelation to try to move with the winter season instead of against it. I am grateful for your wisdom here and pointing out the beauty of it!
So glad to hear that. @Katherine May has written a whole book on “wintering” which you might know. And Hildegard and the monastics since ages have been good in honoring both the seasons of the year and the liturgical seasons. I also always struggle at the beginning of winter. But then I just lean into hibernation :-)
A true gift of song, poem and pictures. Tonight what struck me was leaving what is undone, undone. That is such a foreign concept as most Americans are measured by productivity. How many plates we can spin in the air without one falling, how many widgets or words or reports produced. How many students crammed into classrooms be filled to capacity with facts and figures to pass the MCAs, or get high scores on the SAT or ACT. I could go on and on but I won’t. It’s Your beautiful invitation to leave things just where they are to gather within for reflection and solace and comfort warms this old woman’s heart. And how I look forward to the 12 Days of Christmas!
oh, Kathleen, your words are always both fun and deep, like: “How many plates we can spin in the air without one falling…”. That is the true art of irony, Kierkegaard would say :-) And we do need some gracious irony to look at ourselves and the habits we have formed, as society and for our very self, don’t we? So thank you for your wonderful insights. I am looking forward journeying with you again (though as always I have no idea how to even begin!)
Almut, but begin you will for you are filled with knowledge and wisdom and gracious hope.
Thank you
As our family has become more scattered, we now celebrate Christmas in the summer (the date moves according to family schedules). This makes traveling easier (no snow or ice) and good health more likely (especially with the littles). We have our gift exchanges, and I fully decorate (yes, snowmen out in July) and bake. This is such a fun weekend!
Then at this time of year, I simply set out a few nativity creches and candles. We have a simple season with plenty of time to just "be". And this opens Christmas day for our children and grandchildren to spend a day together as they would like!
Thank you for this opportunity to join the 12 Days of Christmas. I'm excited! And may you experience so much joy this season. Thank you!
What a great way to celebrate Christmas, Karen. Christmas in Summer. I like that :-) And a quiet December instead. Looking forward to journey with you through this sacred time.
I’m looking forward to begin reading your writings as I can.
thank you so much and welcome!
Thank you for these words of harmony and peace...
🙏
I really needed these words to help calm my soul. There is much uncertainty in my life due to illness in our family. I have resonated with your writing since discovering you Substack shortly before the election. Thank you.
Kathryn, I am so glad to hear that. And thank you so much for supporting this work. Peace and and healing to you and your loved ones 🙏
I love your wintering meditation poem. Thank you.
You are so welcome, dear Donna. May you find peace in your wintering. 🙏