July 7--Difficulties Strengthen Us

We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world. 

--Helen Keller

    I daresay we would be quite bored, too. We are creatures who are adverse to change unless something uncomfortable forces change upon us. How many times have we seen grief inspire folks to action to improve the world for all?

    Let's look at surgery, chronic pain and major illness. These are all rampant in our unhealthy society. All require bravery and patience to move through and recover. While the outcome may be joyful, the process of going through any of those is not. 

    Much of the caring that happens in our world is because of circumstances that are not joyful in any way. It certainly takes bravery and patience to be caring with so much violence, divisiveness, racism, ignorance, trauma and self-destructive behaviors surrounding us. 

    What would we do without the "thrill of victory"?

        Leta

 

Sometimes life feels like this...

July 6--It Takes Time

There is nothing stronger than these two: patience and time, they will do it all. 
--Leo Tolstoy

    "Time heals all wounds." 

    "Give me patience, and I want it NOW!"

    "One day at a time."

    Patience gives us the time to know ourselves, what we want to do/be/have, and to hold that in mind for the time it takes to manifest. This is the process of creating. It is really rather simple, but not always easy. The two key ingredients are those stated by Tolstoy. 

    Our society has become one of "instant gratification." It has to be done yesterday. There is little honoring of patience and time, yet living a mature, satisfying life requires copious amounts of both. While we may have to wait, we always have a choice in the attitude we hold toward that waiting time. I would suggest that a good attitude likely shortens the wait!

        Leta

Nature--our perfect example 
of patience and time

July 5--Figuring It Out

Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience; or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope.  --Jane Austin

    "Know your own happiness." For many months now, I have not known it. What I thought I wanted ran full-speed into a rock-solid brick wall. I've been dealing with the rubble from the crash--grief, sadness, depression, feeling stuck. Finally the realization surfaced that I have to answer this question: what DO I want, now that a couple possibilities are no longer options? I am starting to get nudges, other ideas to consider. Working on a painting and gardening have been most helpful as they help to clear my head.

    Patiently doing hopeful internal exploration,

        Leta

Painting progress... I guess I like
to paint straight lines because 
my life is not one!

July 4--Freedom!

I am still in the process of growing up, but I will make no progress if I lose any of myself along the way.  --Madeleine L'Engle

    Happy Freedom Day! Even as we celebrate our forefathers bold Declaration of Independence, we are seeing consistent attacks on the magnificent freedoms on which our country was founded. Governments are working intently on trying to make us "lose ourselves along the way." 

    I am finding that art, some form of creative expression, is essential to both growing up and being myself. Here are words by Ruth King about art as a form of medicine for ourselves and our communities:

To express ourselves artistically is a mindfulness practice in that we are inescapably both creator and that which is being created. As we courageously give ourselves to our artistic expression, we cultivate patience, empathy, discipline, and our capacity to hold energy as it cooks and simmers into an offering of truth to ourselves and a caring offering to our culture….

Art speaks to a truth larger than our suffering, and our job is to make a genuine offer. Whether you are a writer, dancer, healer, sculptor, painter, singer, architect, teacher, gardener, philosopher, or caregiver, your offering is sure to be medicine for collective well-being.

Consider your life a gift. What’s inside? What creative expressions are you warehousing that bring you alive and belong to all of us? Philosopher, theologian, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman encouraged us in this way: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”…

Identify a creative project—something your heart is curious about that you might enjoy. Consider your artistic expression, no matter how large or small, a gesture of affection that cultivates a culture of care. Offer it generously, as ceremony, and without apology. Pay attention to how you and others are impacted.

The offerings of our creativity are noble and emancipating. When practiced, we come out of hiding into light. When shared, it supports love and respect and inspires harmony and hope. It’s a gesture of gratitude, a way of giving back. To say yes to our artistic calling is to say to our culture, Here is my offering of care.

    Let us use and enjoy our freedom to create!

        Leta 

July 3--Grief

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. 
--Pema Chodron

    This quote makes me cranky, but yes, it's true. 

    My thoughts are lingering this morning on grief, which never seems to go away. We are home from our Colorado trip. It is time for re-entry into "regular" life, and I miss my kids and grandson. Each visit makes me acutely aware of aging. I am generally very healthy, but being a grandma is quite different from being a mother. Grandmothering is a very "outside looking in" position for me. We had a great visit, and the final round of golf with my younger son was a super parting activity. Yet that leaves me wondering when I may get to play golf again with my sons, which is my very favorite thing to do, which makes me miss them and feel even more grief. You can tell from this messy paragraph that my head is spinning.

    Time to get grounded with unpacking, laundry and a swim. 

        Leta

At a Fort Collins park

July 2--Healing Patiently

How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?  --William Shakespeare

    Today includes another round of golf with my younger son, so laughter is sure to be a part of this morning. Yesterday I enjoyed pool time with my grandson and his mom and dad. So much joy!

    Patience and healing--I am in need of both of these. A visit with my sons always leaves me with much to ponder and process. No doubt some of that effort will show up here in the next few weeks. 

    Later today, homeward bound,

        Leta

Copper tree sculptures seen on my
Fort Collins walk yesterday

July 1--Patience with Myself

Imperfect love must not be condemned and rejected but made perfect. The way is always forward, never back.  --Iris Murdoch

    Oh, joy, the July theme for the "Daily Kindness" quotes is patience. I do not consider that one of my strong characteristics. Thus, I expect it will be good for me to ponder it all month long. 

    The topic came up yesterday of expectations vs. reality. If reality is meeting or exceeding one's expectations, that is a good thing. When the topic came up, my first thought was that my reality is nowhere near my expectations. I believe that is my occasional depression talking. I also note that disappointment has haunted me seemingly forever. I've tried to convince myself to lower my expectations, also seemingly forever. I've had little success with that effort. I note, too, that I am in a transition/limbo/adjustment phase of life, annoyed greatly by uncertainty about the future and lack of control. 

    Overall, life is good, and I must simply take it one day at a time. I'm holding onto the expectation that everything is working out wonderfully for all involved, even though I can't conceive of what that is.

        Leta

Some fun art in downtown
Fort Collins