30 Days of Appreciation - Day 13

Freedom

This word is thrown around a lot, especially with regards to patriotism and the greatness of the U.S. It also has strong connotations of personal freedom from government control (especially in this election year!). I'm not here to argue with any of that, but I do want to explore another application of the word. Specifically, I'm interested in spiritual freedom.

In a basic sense, spiritual freedom can refer to one's ability to choose between options, actions, reactions, and beliefs. But I think there is a more meaningful application of this idea: that of becoming free by trusting that we don't have to control every single freaking detail of our lives, that we can rely on a Higher Power (whatever you want to call that - God, Yeshua, the Universe, human intuition, stillness) to guide us. And here's the thing I'm learning: when I put my faith and trust in that Higher Power, there comes a freedom from worry and stress and anxiety about every moment, direction, and aspect of my life. And then...good things happen. Without me forcing, or pushing, or sweating or agonizing.

The level of anxiety I'm talking about here is shared by all humans in all cultures, and it results in the worst aspects of our humanity:  fear, hate, addiction, destruction. All because we fear annihilation, because we can't control things, and we don't know how it will all play out:

If I don't rationally figure out every piece of the puzzle, I will fail, I will cease to exist.

Now I'm not saying in any way that we should stop using our brains, disengage from reality, or throw $500/hour at a psychic to tell us what to do with our lives. I'm suggesting that by quieting our minds using meditation or prayer techniques (of which there are many), or walking in the woods or on a beach, etc. with the intent to hear the wisdom that is begging us to listen, we can develop "ears to hear." We can hear the quiet murmur of the flow of our lives and begin to let go of the desperate loop of terror that we have to - but can't - control reality. When we can do this, we will start to relax into this flow and free ourselves of the constant itch and pain of vain human exigency. We will begin to taste true freedom.

"The jigsaw jazz and the get-fresh flow"

30 Days of Appreciation - Day 12

Hildegard von Bingen

A mystic, musical composer, abbess, leader, teacher, and many other things. I've been listening to her inspired music. Here's a sample of her prolific work:



Here's a brief biography of this sometimes-called "feminist nun" of the Middle Ages.

30 Days of Appreciation - Day 11

Instead of lists of 10 things, etc., I'm going to spend some time elaborating on one thing I appreciate per post.

Companionship

It's so easy to become isolated, especially with teh internets, which fool us into thinking we're connected, we know what's going on, we're having relationships with people, etc. I am eternally grateful for my roommate, Sarah, who has proved more of a companion and friend than I would have expected, given the fact that we'd only ever met each other once, and briefly, before I moved in. We have discovered many similarities and complementary differences between us that allow us to operate in the apartment as a well-oiled machine. Her graciousness, hilarity, artistic soul, and excellent cooking have created such a wonderful living environment for me. I treasure her companionship and the healing that has taken place as a result of her friendship.

30 Days of Appreciation - Day 10

Memorial Day

Elmira, NY - Woodlawn National Cemetery (Elmira Star-Gazette)    

1. Fallen heroes
2. Rememberance
3. Iced Coffee
4. Clean floors
5. Content kittehs on a hot day
6. Solitude
7. Quiet
8. Skyping with Don
9. Books... so many books
10. My current screenplay revision/draft

30 Days of Appreciation - Day 9

Running a day behind here...

1. Wes Anderson movies
2. Impromptu visits by friends
3. Veggie burgers loaded with BBQ sauce and pineapple
4. Catnip
5. 67 degrees at 10 p.m.
6. Fellowship at St. Jude's Episcopal Church
7. The Arclight Cinema in Hollywood
8. Birdsong all day long
9. Mockingbirds at night
10. My linen jacket on a breezy day

30 Days of Appreciation - Day 8

1. This perfect day - sunny, cool, breezy
2. Praying outdoors always feels somehow...more joyful.
3. Being able to serve people through Feed the Hungry at St. Jude's. Today was my first day to do this service, and it was humbling and wonderful. 
4. Owning a passport and having it here with me (thanks to Don!) - which enabled me to get my CA driver's license. My NYS license and SS card weren't enough I.D. (go figure)
5. Being a bona fide resident of California.
6. India Sweets & Spices restaurant. Combo plate at $4.99 and a big ole' cup of masala tea for $1.00.
7. My own hunger, which is to say missing one meal. This reminds me that some people in the world are lucky to eat one meal a day.
8. Finding God's true and lasting peace at long last - a thing I never dreamed really existed.
9. Being loved.
10. The awesome bathtub in this apartment that is a) deep and b) doesn't have an annoying overflow drain half way down the tub (so I get to fill it up!)

30 Days of Appreciation - Day 7

One week of appreciation, already. Happy Friday, everyone, and a safe, fun long weekend.

1. Rainy, cool weather to soften the edges and water the world
2. The movement of the Spirit
3. A pot of Tetley tea, properly steeped
4. Sleeping Spaz
5. Brenda
6. SKY FM stream (ambient)
7. Feed the Hungry at St. Jude's
8. Family Promise
9. Peace of mind
10. Stripy socks