My Saturday Sabbatical
This past week, I must have had writer’s block. Many themes, ideas and rough drafts emerged, but nothing seemed to come together in the right way at the right time for my traditional Saturday morning blog posting.
I’m not sure what that was all about, but a few small “events” did finally open the creative flow. One was a simple morning reflection I wrote in my journal…
This Quiet Moment
Here I am nestled under a blanket
pen and paper at the ready
frothy latte nearby
I see the purple tulips
in their slender vase
observe the gentle rain
on the oaks outside our windows
and watch doggy’s body rise and fall
to the cadence of her breathing
I become aware of my own breathing
and give thanks
take a sip of coffee
reach for my pen and paper
and wait
Another helpful event might have been revisiting portions of a book I have had on my bookshelf for many years. It is called Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller. Through the under-linings and dog-eared pages, these little kernels spoke to me:
“When we become still and allow our life to rest, we feel a renewal of energy and gradual clarity of perception.”
“In Sabbath time we bless what there is for being. The time for seeking is over; the time for finding has begun.”
A third series of events included an impromptu “come for tea and persimmon cookies” invitation from friends–a wonderful catch-up time– followed by a chili dinner at home and a jigsaw puzzle session, putting together the chocolate bar shown above.
Finally, I was ready to write. I was thankful for the return of the creative spark and wondered what helped it return. Perhaps patience, openness, curiosity, love, and faith all played their parts. And maybe, as with that jigsaw puzzle, a balance between focus and relaxation provided the avenue for putting all the pieces together.
So there you have it– a small Sunday offering from my Saturday Sabbatical.
Ponderous: The time for seeking is over; the time for finding has begun.
WOW! A new montra! Thank you, Lynn
It does lead to a new question: How do you know if you have found it?
And if what we found in this moment will sustain us in the next?
Fun to think about. Of course, perhaps it is all rhetorical – there is no answer. 🙂
Oh,dear…you ask good questions! But, of course…you were/are a teacher! Maybe we have to continue to be alert to what the “now” answer is. Easier said than done.
Savoring Lynn’s Con Gusto Family Minestrone made last night on a cold winter’s night might also help, but you have to get out from under the covers! Happy New Year!
Sounds good! Enjoy. Tonight I’m going to make Puttanesca…not exactly minestrone, but Italian, nonetheless.
And Happy New Year to you, too!