Saturday marks the celebration of All Saints Day. On Sunday we celebrate All Souls.
This week, I invite you to ponder: in your life who are the people who have been examples of how to live? Who has mentored you? How do we give thanks for these examples? How do we, in turn, provide examples for others?
Blessed be,
Joel
Do you look for Wisdom wherever it might be? I find myself thankful for encounters with Wisdom, especially those unexpected encounters. Take the following as a for instance: I was on retreat mid-week this post week. Pay off the experience was watching a short clip from a National Geographic photographer (Dewitt Jones). He shared to following experience from when he was first hired by National Geographic. [Bear in mind this is my paraphrasing].
The boss of his department asked to see Jones. Jones went to see his boss wondering what this was all about, and what he may have done. In his reflecting, Jones was quite clear that he was pondering how he was going to prove himself worthy of working for the National Geographic. "Jones, the Geographic hires the best photographers in the business. There is no need to go proving yourself. My expectation is that you improve yourself everyday. ... Are we clear? Good. If I ever find out your here to prove yourself, you're fired."
"Not here to prove yourself, but to improve yourself." What wise words. I've been pondering them ever since.
Where are you encountering Wisdom? What has got you pondering? Do you find yourself thankful?
Blessed be
Joel
You can watch the film here.
Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian readers. We hope you are enjoying day.
For this month we are focusing on giving thanks. This seems an appropriate topic between the Canadian and United States Thanksgivings.
For this week I'm thinking about relationships and covenants, and finding myself thankful for both. Perhaps this is in part due to participating in two weddings in the weeks. Healthy relationships and covenants help us to grow, stay honest to ourselves, and strive to be the best we can be.
How are you thankful for the relationships and covenants in your life?
Blessed be
Joel
On our boat, lately we have had conversations about time management: how do I not over extend myself so I have some down time? Sound like a familiar conversation?
So imagine our surprise when we show up at church song the following hymn by William Henry Davies "What Is This Life." (Words below).
What a reminder that we are all paid in sun rises and sun sets, if we but take a moment to appreciate them. What a reminder that Sabbath Time is so important for our well being, for our souls.
Blessed Be,
Joel
What Is This Life
What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare - no time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows;
No time to see, when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass - no time to see, in broad daylight, streams full of stars, like stars at night;
No time to turn at Beauty's glance, and watch her feet, how they can dance. A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies (1869-1941)
Perhaps this is a better story for the spring, but with kids now needing to rise at dawn (which will quickly become pre-dawn) in order to get to school, I think it is appropriate for now. This was shared as apart of Sunday's service, so I don't have a citation. Anyone know where the following story comes from?
Is it still night?
Am old rabbi once asked his students how they could tell when the night had ended and the day begun.
"Could it be" asked one of the students, "when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?"
"No" answered the Rabbi.
"Could it be" asked another student, "when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it is a fig or a peach tree?"
"No" answered the Rabbi.
"Then when is it?" They demanded.
"It is when you can look in the face of any man or woman and see that it is your brother or sister. Because if you cannot see this, then it is still night."
So here is to see those around us add our brothers and sisters.
Blessed be,
Joel
Two weeks ago I mentioned the plight of the star fish and my concern regarding their seeming demise. I still have concern about the ecosystem without star fish. However, this morning these guys and gals gave me a bit of hope for the future. This school went as far as I could see into the water and just kept coming.
Blessed be,
Joel
We've been watching (and participating) in the ways the boating community not only helps each other but extends care and concern. For instance, down our dock we (and others) have been helping a couple who has been struggling with his diagnosis (and very rapid decline) die to a rare brain illness.
Community comes together for celebratory reasons, too. What better way to share this wonderful way of life than helping a young family. Connie McBride shares such an experience on her Simply Sailing Online site this week: Friend Ship. Enjoy.
Blessed be,
Joel
