Boy, do I feel you!!!! I keep threatening to get a flip phone, watch only local tv, and throw away the computer!!! I read a very meaningful quote by Brene Brown about being “home with God” in the intro to Rohr’s Falling Upward.(page x).
This really resonates with me, MaryAnn. A number of years ago, I listened to a sermon from a missionary to Africa who said that he found it easier to preach the gospel there. The lack of material distractions, responsibilities and overwhelm made it easier to talk about relationship. It is easy to say to make do with less, but I'm finding it to be a very difficult task. Truthfully, I enjoy the techno privileges I have despite the fact I know they get in the way of that which really matters. Thank you for this, friend.
I make conscious choices to ignore all but the "confirm your appointment" text/email. Since most of my doctors are in the same corporate system, when handed a clipboard I challenge them to look and see if the info is "already in my file". It has been a tiring 15 months with 5 surgeries and an admission for near sepsis. Your words of how Rest is Holy (or some derivative of that) have been part of what has sustained me. I have also been know to send group texts out that say "my phone is on do not disturb, do not break through that unless you are in the ER actively bleeding"........I do add a please and thank you to that. I am happy to hear your shoulder is nothing horrible. I find my shoulders feel much better when I am not sticking them in my ears. Peace my friend
I'm so sorry you've had such a hard year+, friend... although your no-nonsense sass always makes me smile.
I will say, I have a friend who got the deluge of emails and texts about an upcoming colonoscopy, and missed a message telling her to cease a medication for a week beforehand... she only found out upon arrival, and was given the choice to reschedule (and waste the prep) or go through the procedure without anesthesia. She chose the second option, as would I in that case. Interestingly, her doctor is from Eastern Europe and told her the rest of the world does it that way. Only Americans demand the colonoscopy nap. Can neither confirm nor deny that factoid, just reporting. But wouldn't surprise me.
You were navigating "beyond the human scale." Ultimately sucessfully, albeit not with a collaborative interface. Which is a "too much." Still I rely on this: "Everything I do now is a gift to my future self." Even the partials. Even the imperfect. Everything in this world: "Imperfect, impermanent and impersonal." (Ruth King) The last being the very hardest to understand. Most things/ppl out there in the world, they actually want to help us. They just don't know how.🙏
A remember a quote, don’t know from whom, that if the devil can not make you sin, he will make you busy.
We have been dealing with a flooded house this week. There are 6 of us, 3 are kids, so it’s been a challenge. Got a pouty text from a very self centered nephew whining that we did not congratulate him on getting accepted into a new college. That message was 48 hours old at the time, and he has now disowned us. No mental energy to deal with it all!
Thank you for throwing this out there this morning- needed it!!
BTW, when I feel too busy and overwhelmed, I say Not today Satan, not today!
Oh my goodness. What a weird and sad reaction toward you all, and with so much going on--a real lack of grace on his part. And in a way, an example of what I'm talking about. than live in the ambiguity of being curious about why he didn't hear from you and check that out, he decided it would be better to make a fast and 'clean' decision and be done with it. Sad.
Agreed. Only after he went on and on about lack of support , which is not true.
It’s always been about him. He’s a bit emotionally challenged, so I’m trying to give grace. He’ll have to re- open the communication pathway as he has currently shut that down🙄
Thank you for the sharing that there was a brick wall when trying to find a positive note to end on. Carrie Newcomer uses the words “moving faster than my soul “ in a few of her songs…I find nature, music and sleep strengthens my ability to listen to my soul. I have no answers, but the desire to continue to walk with the Spirit that created me takes great comfort in your sharing today.
Boy, do I feel you!!!! I keep threatening to get a flip phone, watch only local tv, and throw away the computer!!! I read a very meaningful quote by Brene Brown about being “home with God” in the intro to Rohr’s Falling Upward.(page x).
Looking forward to reading that one... and yes, it's too too much!!
Everything about this post. Thank you.
Thanks Diana!
This really resonates with me, MaryAnn. A number of years ago, I listened to a sermon from a missionary to Africa who said that he found it easier to preach the gospel there. The lack of material distractions, responsibilities and overwhelm made it easier to talk about relationship. It is easy to say to make do with less, but I'm finding it to be a very difficult task. Truthfully, I enjoy the techno privileges I have despite the fact I know they get in the way of that which really matters. Thank you for this, friend.
Thank you as always for reading and commenting! If the Ultra*Contemplative* struggles with us, the rest of us must really be in trouble ;-)
Hahaha. If I didn’t struggle, my contemplations would be pretty boring 😉
I make conscious choices to ignore all but the "confirm your appointment" text/email. Since most of my doctors are in the same corporate system, when handed a clipboard I challenge them to look and see if the info is "already in my file". It has been a tiring 15 months with 5 surgeries and an admission for near sepsis. Your words of how Rest is Holy (or some derivative of that) have been part of what has sustained me. I have also been know to send group texts out that say "my phone is on do not disturb, do not break through that unless you are in the ER actively bleeding"........I do add a please and thank you to that. I am happy to hear your shoulder is nothing horrible. I find my shoulders feel much better when I am not sticking them in my ears. Peace my friend
I'm so sorry you've had such a hard year+, friend... although your no-nonsense sass always makes me smile.
I will say, I have a friend who got the deluge of emails and texts about an upcoming colonoscopy, and missed a message telling her to cease a medication for a week beforehand... she only found out upon arrival, and was given the choice to reschedule (and waste the prep) or go through the procedure without anesthesia. She chose the second option, as would I in that case. Interestingly, her doctor is from Eastern Europe and told her the rest of the world does it that way. Only Americans demand the colonoscopy nap. Can neither confirm nor deny that factoid, just reporting. But wouldn't surprise me.
You were not doing nothing
You were navigating "beyond the human scale." Ultimately sucessfully, albeit not with a collaborative interface. Which is a "too much." Still I rely on this: "Everything I do now is a gift to my future self." Even the partials. Even the imperfect. Everything in this world: "Imperfect, impermanent and impersonal." (Ruth King) The last being the very hardest to understand. Most things/ppl out there in the world, they actually want to help us. They just don't know how.🙏
A lovely sentiment. Thank you for this.
I love this
https://youtu.be/yoPW2Dbcu9Q?si=QcRJVkpzF4uHYlRq
💞 my words are be still & know, be in awe & wonderment. Good medicine
Thank you so much for sharing this... kind of says it all, doesn't it?
Father Richard's voice (heard on the video) is so chewy and yummy. Like a salted caramel. And his laugh is good medicine.
Yes, yes, yes! So many of us in this very place.
A remember a quote, don’t know from whom, that if the devil can not make you sin, he will make you busy.
We have been dealing with a flooded house this week. There are 6 of us, 3 are kids, so it’s been a challenge. Got a pouty text from a very self centered nephew whining that we did not congratulate him on getting accepted into a new college. That message was 48 hours old at the time, and he has now disowned us. No mental energy to deal with it all!
Thank you for throwing this out there this morning- needed it!!
BTW, when I feel too busy and overwhelmed, I say Not today Satan, not today!
Oh my goodness. What a weird and sad reaction toward you all, and with so much going on--a real lack of grace on his part. And in a way, an example of what I'm talking about. than live in the ambiguity of being curious about why he didn't hear from you and check that out, he decided it would be better to make a fast and 'clean' decision and be done with it. Sad.
Agreed. Only after he went on and on about lack of support , which is not true.
It’s always been about him. He’s a bit emotionally challenged, so I’m trying to give grace. He’ll have to re- open the communication pathway as he has currently shut that down🙄
Sheesh...
Thank you for the sharing that there was a brick wall when trying to find a positive note to end on. Carrie Newcomer uses the words “moving faster than my soul “ in a few of her songs…I find nature, music and sleep strengthens my ability to listen to my soul. I have no answers, but the desire to continue to walk with the Spirit that created me takes great comfort in your sharing today.
Carrie is a wonderful companion in these harried times.
Wow. Oh wow. I’m so fried I do not have the creative juice to write this because it’s exactly what I’m living. Thank you.
Solidarity!