Day of Rest

Confession: so far, I am doing a terrible job of being on retreat. I have managed very little balance or rest, minimal practice, and transformation is a long way off. But that’s okay, because today (each moment) is another opportunity to try, to begin again–and I am grateful for that. I also appreciate that the open-hearted, brave warrior Susan Piver shared the following video so I could see it and share it with you. Another kind soul shared a link to a transcript of the video.

Even if you can’t manage to give the whole day over to rest, watch this video, read the words, let them sink into your heart and contemplate them. Feel the grace of gratitude.

You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day. It’s the one day that is given to you: today. It’s given to you. It’s a gift. It’s the only gift that you have right now. And the only appropriate response is gratefulness.

If you do nothing else but to cultivate that response through the great gift that this unique day is, if you learn to respond as if it were the first day in your life and the very last day, then you will have spent this day very well.

Begin by opening your eyes and be surprised that you have eyes you can open, that incredible array of colors that is constantly offered to us for pure enjoyment. Look at the sky. We so rarely look at the sky. We so rarely note how different it is from moment to moment with clouds coming and going. We just think of the weather, and even of the weather, we don’t think of all the many nuances of weather. We just think of good weather and bad weather. This day, right now, this unique weather, may be a kind that will never exactly in that form come again. The formation of clouds in the sky will never be the same as it is right now. Open your eyes; look at that.

Look at the faces of people whom you meet. Each one has an incredible story behind their face. A story you can never fully fathom; not only their own story, but the story of their ancestors. We all go back so far. And in this present moment, on this day, all the people you meet, all that life, from generations and from so many places all over the world flows together and meets you here like a life-giving water, if you only open your heart and drink.

Open your heart to the incredible gifts that civilization gives to us. You flip a switch and there is electric light. You turn a faucet and there is warm water, cold water, and drinkable water. It is a gift that millions and millions in the world will never experience. These are just a few of an enormous number of gifts to which we can open our hearts.

And so, I wish you that you will open your heart to all these blessings. And let them flow through you. That everyone who you will meet on the street will be blessed by you. Just by your eyes. By your smile. By your touch. Just by your presence.

Let the gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you. Then it will really be a good day.

(Thanks to this post for the transcript).

I am grateful, kind and gentle reader. For you, this chance to share and to see, to know grace and feel gratitude–all of it. What about you?

It’s going to be a good day.

On this day of rest and celebration (Happy Birthday, Jesus!), I’d like to share a few videos that embody the joy of this day—for me, at least (hint: books and music are essential).

This first one I kept catching myself thinking “oh, that’s my favorite one,” but then there’d be another equally beautiful snowflake, and I’d think “oh, no–that one’s my favorite!” I had no idea who Chronicle Books was before I watched the video, but apparently, they are “an independent publisher located in San Francisco, we have an award-winning history of innovation in both subject matter and format for our distinctive books and gifts” and their mission statement is “inspired by the enduring magic and importance of books, our objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that is instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value.” The enduring magic and importance of books?! I totally love them, and I love this video and the message at the end. (Don’t forget after you hit play to click on the snowflake in the lower right hand corner of the toolbar to make it snow).

And then, three videos from one of my favorite musicians, Danielle of Danielle Ate the Sandwich. If you don’t already know why I love her so much, read the post I wrote after seeing her live for the first time. And then, enjoy these videos: her silliness, her beautiful voice, and the big heart of her tiny ukelele.

Now, it’s time for me to give Eric his “heartmade” Christmas gift. Yesterday, after many hours, six glue sticks, and much assembly, I finished it, and decided to call it “heartmade” instead of “handmade” because I poured my whole little heart into it. I hope he likes it, and if not, he at least can see from it how much I love and appreciate him.
I can hear the crackling fire coming from our Happy Holiday Hearth DVD, so I’d better get out there.