Your use of Mary Oliver’s poetry grabbed my heart, giving my mind need to contemplate the binders I have put on myself. Thank you for your writing; thanks be to God that it came to me when I am beginning to be open to receiving.
"I’ve chosen to make this summer my summer of the heart — to unlock what shackles me, embrace the gifts of the season, accept the invitation of the Lord, and rest in not-knowing."
Yes this! Poetry is one of the ways I bring myself to the present moment and that full-bodied joy. Another way is birdsong- noticing it and singing in my heart along the way. I went birding with some others last week for the first time. It was a delight to have other people pass by and ask "is there something there?" Yes, something worth paying attention to but unnoticed by many.
Just finished reading Rebcca Solnit's Orwell's Rosee, a commentary on a hopeful life, threading the needle between "bread and roses." I am grateful for your take from faith based perspective.
I loved your post this time and I have been remembering another time of my Life like Junior in College first semester. and it was the voice from 16th -17 century of Robert Herrick! I was finishing my first semester, Junior Year at a school that had the mid 20th Century reputation of being a party school/ And you could party your way out of college if you wanted to do so. My English Literature professor liked to tweak the Bobcats in his class about partying, half joking and half serious and we took it in our stride. So final come and we get a poem to interpret . I am not sure if it was Herrick's or not. But my interpretation of that or similar line was, "Well we might as well go down to the tavern and drink 3.2 beer because that old professor isn't going to give us an A in the class anyway." I think I raised my grade for taking the risk-not to an A but a B. Ohio at the time had 3.2 beer legally for those of us under 21! I was transferring at end of semester to a college in Houston to be with my groom - now of 61 years- who was in graduate school at the time. So good to be reminded in this part of lifetime GRATITUDE and in this century!
I am going through a rough patch in my life. I have been angry with God. Your post has helped me to let go of that anger and realize that God has given me the ability to focus on what is good in my life and I plan to do that.
I'm so sorry someone hit you with malice for your rosebuds. What a jerk! BTW, 😁 I reviewed one of your books on my substack xianbrainstretch.substack. Everyone loved it.
What a wonderful post, Diana! I've managed to experience summer months in several parts of the country, but I've not enjoyed them as much as I enjoy them in the Pacific Northwest. I recall my 1st summer in Oregon and a drive up the mountains to Diamond Lake as I had never seen so many deep shades of green. Prompted by your words and my oft heard words of "Pay Attention", I ventured out yesterday morning to complete my monthly goal of going somewhere I've never been before, the small town of Breitenbush, Oregon, high up in the Mt. Hood national Forest. Unexpected road closures kept me from that spot, but took me along roads I'd never traveled, so mission completed. Thank you!
I really feel this (reminded me too of the film Curious Case of Benjamin Button). The older I get the more conscious I am of the fleeting time. And it's not that I'm afraid to die, really (although of course that's part of it). It's like just when I finally feel like I'm figuring things out, when I've overcome so much fear, when things are just getting really good--that's it, time's up! But the truth is, it's not up yet. Even if I only have a day more, that's a day to drink it all in.
Your use of Mary Oliver’s poetry grabbed my heart, giving my mind need to contemplate the binders I have put on myself. Thank you for your writing; thanks be to God that it came to me when I am beginning to be open to receiving.
Lovely.
Nadia's newsletters have been truly life giving to me in BIG ways. I'm so glad you are both connected. Looking forward to this.
Embracing the seasons of life is one key to ongoing joy! This article was beautiful and personally revealing! I loved the poetry!
I am a person who lives for tasks but your summer task elicits non-doing and being! How lovely! Thank you.
This is beautiful! And I'm right here with you:
"I’ve chosen to make this summer my summer of the heart — to unlock what shackles me, embrace the gifts of the season, accept the invitation of the Lord, and rest in not-knowing."
Yes this! Poetry is one of the ways I bring myself to the present moment and that full-bodied joy. Another way is birdsong- noticing it and singing in my heart along the way. I went birding with some others last week for the first time. It was a delight to have other people pass by and ask "is there something there?" Yes, something worth paying attention to but unnoticed by many.
Just finished reading Rebcca Solnit's Orwell's Rosee, a commentary on a hopeful life, threading the needle between "bread and roses." I am grateful for your take from faith based perspective.
I loved your post this time and I have been remembering another time of my Life like Junior in College first semester. and it was the voice from 16th -17 century of Robert Herrick! I was finishing my first semester, Junior Year at a school that had the mid 20th Century reputation of being a party school/ And you could party your way out of college if you wanted to do so. My English Literature professor liked to tweak the Bobcats in his class about partying, half joking and half serious and we took it in our stride. So final come and we get a poem to interpret . I am not sure if it was Herrick's or not. But my interpretation of that or similar line was, "Well we might as well go down to the tavern and drink 3.2 beer because that old professor isn't going to give us an A in the class anyway." I think I raised my grade for taking the risk-not to an A but a B. Ohio at the time had 3.2 beer legally for those of us under 21! I was transferring at end of semester to a college in Houston to be with my groom - now of 61 years- who was in graduate school at the time. So good to be reminded in this part of lifetime GRATITUDE and in this century!
I am going through a rough patch in my life. I have been angry with God. Your post has helped me to let go of that anger and realize that God has given me the ability to focus on what is good in my life and I plan to do that.
Thank you so much. I needed this.
I needed these thoughtful words at this present moment. Thank you.
I'm so sorry someone hit you with malice for your rosebuds. What a jerk! BTW, 😁 I reviewed one of your books on my substack xianbrainstretch.substack. Everyone loved it.
What a wonderful post, Diana! I've managed to experience summer months in several parts of the country, but I've not enjoyed them as much as I enjoy them in the Pacific Northwest. I recall my 1st summer in Oregon and a drive up the mountains to Diamond Lake as I had never seen so many deep shades of green. Prompted by your words and my oft heard words of "Pay Attention", I ventured out yesterday morning to complete my monthly goal of going somewhere I've never been before, the small town of Breitenbush, Oregon, high up in the Mt. Hood national Forest. Unexpected road closures kept me from that spot, but took me along roads I'd never traveled, so mission completed. Thank you!
Thanks for Mary Oliver and Bette Midler!
I really feel this (reminded me too of the film Curious Case of Benjamin Button). The older I get the more conscious I am of the fleeting time. And it's not that I'm afraid to die, really (although of course that's part of it). It's like just when I finally feel like I'm figuring things out, when I've overcome so much fear, when things are just getting really good--that's it, time's up! But the truth is, it's not up yet. Even if I only have a day more, that's a day to drink it all in.
Thank you. Beautiful. It jump started my joy today.