What follows is a message that I sent to some friends who have known each other for many years-- many I mean 50 years—and we still keep up regularly. (I’ve made a few edits.)
But I want to say more about this to you who read my prayer diary. My being and doing is praying, which entails not thinking. Briefly and simply I sit quietly, empty my mind of thoughts, center on God’s love, and pray that love to people and situations.
This being and doing isn’t just during prayer times. It is about leading a prayerful life throughout the day, which I admit is difficult and impossible to do on my own. I forget and fail miserably but God is there to pick me up and send me on with renewed faith, hope, and love.
How did I get to this prayerful place in my life? God’s grace, which continues to move me forward to live in peace and love for myself and others.
I sense that we are all settling into a rhythm that works for us as we continue to self-distance due to the pandemic, and as we ponder all that is going on in our country. I view this rhythm as two-fold; to stay safe and healthy, and to keep our lives meaningful. Another way is to consider being and doing.
My being. Gentleness (when I remember it) crystallizes how I am trying to lead my life. I am gentle when I let go of unnecessary little irritations (for example, being annoyed that a package didn’t come on time, or that the car I am following is going way too slowly). I am grateful for these moments of gentleness because I know that they put love, not hate into the world. I believe that how we feel inside ourselves has direct bearing one what goes on in the world. This doesn’t mean I am passive, but how I choose to act not only makes a cosmic difference, but also gives me peace.
My doing. Keeping the home fires burning with Jim and keeping up with our kids and grands, and with family; keeping my church community connected in personal ways.
Being and Doing: silence and solitude— getting out of my head by just sitting and when walking. In this silence and solitude I think of each of you as you find your own ways of being and doing.
But I want to say more about this to you who read my prayer diary. My being and doing is praying, which entails not thinking. Briefly and simply I sit quietly, empty my mind of thoughts, center on God’s love, and pray that love to people and situations.
This being and doing isn’t just during prayer times. It is about leading a prayerful life throughout the day, which I admit is difficult and impossible to do on my own. I forget and fail miserably but God is there to pick me up and send me on with renewed faith, hope, and love.
How did I get to this prayerful place in my life? God’s grace, which continues to move me forward to live in peace and love for myself and others.
I sense that we are all settling into a rhythm that works for us as we continue to self-distance due to the pandemic, and as we ponder all that is going on in our country. I view this rhythm as two-fold; to stay safe and healthy, and to keep our lives meaningful. Another way is to consider being and doing.
My being. Gentleness (when I remember it) crystallizes how I am trying to lead my life. I am gentle when I let go of unnecessary little irritations (for example, being annoyed that a package didn’t come on time, or that the car I am following is going way too slowly). I am grateful for these moments of gentleness because I know that they put love, not hate into the world. I believe that how we feel inside ourselves has direct bearing one what goes on in the world. This doesn’t mean I am passive, but how I choose to act not only makes a cosmic difference, but also gives me peace.
My doing. Keeping the home fires burning with Jim and keeping up with our kids and grands, and with family; keeping my church community connected in personal ways.
Being and Doing: silence and solitude— getting out of my head by just sitting and when walking. In this silence and solitude I think of each of you as you find your own ways of being and doing.
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