Spring is emerging. I’m so very excited about the emerging of this spring. The vernal equinox, which occurred Saturday morning, is supposed to be the “official” first day of spring. I suppose it is one way to welcome spring. Here on the farm, spring began a few weeks ago when my husband started preparing the tractors and planters for the planting season which is still a few weeks away. Like his father, he believes in allowing the ground to warm up a bit so those soybean and corn seeds have a warm bed from which to start sprouting.
Another sure sign of spring for me is the return of BASEBALL. Depending on where you live, college and high school teams are either in mid season or are just starting. I saw my first game in person this weekend at my alma mater in Indianapolis. It was a perfect day! Blue skies, sunshine and a walk off hit win. Glad I had a sweatshirt because that March wind reminded me winter wasn’t quite ready to let go. Invigorating!
It was so freeing to be around people outdoors without wearing a mask. It seems Indiana is well on it’s way to completely opening up. They are hosting all of the NCAA March Madness games throughout the state as well. Way to go Hoosier State!
My local MLB team, the Cincinnati Reds, open their season on April 1st. No opening day parade through downtown and only 30% capacity at the ball park because of Rona.
Spring is alive. This year feels so special probably because the doom and gloom is over. We ARE on the backside of the ugliness of the past year despite what politicians and power hungry government officials tell us. Just my opinion. I think we could have had a parade – just sayin.
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I cannot express fully the depth of gratitude to the Spiritual Direction Internship alumni committee for inviting me to facilitate a labyrinth workshop. We held “Labyrinth, Prayer in Motion” Saturday morning for a small group of fellow spiritual directors.
My experience in the two year internship at Benedict Inn served as the model for how I prepared Saturday’s workshop. Feed the intellect with some knowledge. Nurture the heart space with an experience. Provide a safe and confidential space and time for people to process the knowledge and the experience. Pray. Invite Spirit. Trust in Grace.
It was wonderfully healing to receive and give hugs from friends I had not seen in over a year. Some wore masks, some did not. Most have received a vaccine. Some have not. No matter to me. I’m sooooo very happy I chose to take a risk and receive/give what I have missed for over a year. I’m joyful I saw some of my fellow pilgrims on Saturday.
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I think it’s counterproductive, to remember what was going on a year ago. I’m choosing to look forward. You can’t look to the past. It’s like what my mom always said when folks would launch into the “woulda, coulda, shouldas”. She’d say, you can’t replay that ballgame.
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Sunday became a lazy day, a day to recharge and re-group. I love facilitating and giving presentations. It’s probably the inner teacher in me. I taught high school for a few years. I also taught as an adjunct at the college level. Facilitating adult learners who are present because they want to be there is extremely fulfilling. As an extroverted introvert (yea, that’s a thing), I do need that down time to refresh and regroup. I need time to process and just rest.
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I’m really looking forward to spiritually companioning women on a weekend retreat April 9-11th. it is a blessing to witness how Grace touches the lives of retreatants who show up and open up saying “here I am, oh God”. I am grateful for this opportunity to walk with others.
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Christians will celebrate Easter on April 4th. If you are one who celebrates Resurrection Day, may the coming weeks provide you with everything you spiritually need to experience deeply the wisdom and truth of Easter.
As Jews around the globe prepare to celebrate Passover from March 27 to April 4, a holiday in remembrance of being released from Egyptian slavery, may we all remember we are not quite as free as we would hoped we would be by now. As I strap on a mask for the millionth time, I can’t help but think dayenu enough already. I’ve been blessed a few times to participate in the Seder. I love the traditions and the ritual foods. I hope I can enjoy Seder again. Happy Pesach to all!
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I’ve heard this cute and funny blessing years ago. In closing, I’d like to share it with you.
“May the light always find you on a dreary day. When you need to be home, may you find your way. May you always have courage to take a chance, and never find frogs in your underpants.”
Be well, my friends. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Blessings,
Christy
(This blog is not intended to serve as individual spiritual direction. Spiritual direction and spiritual companioning is typically done face to face in a confidential setting or can be done via Zoom or other virtual platform. If you would like to explore one on one spiritual companioning, group companioning, SoulCollage©, the Labyrinth or Reiki, please contact me. If you, your faith group, your church or your book club would like to know more about spiritual companioning, please contact me to schedule an informational workshop. In the meantime, my hope is that the photos and this blog serve as a pause in your day, food for thought, or just a reminder to breathe in and breathe out all that is holy and good. The Divine Milieu is all around us. Thank you all for prayers, vibes, positive energy and support.)