” A Hasidic Rabbi was interrupted by one of his followers while he was tending his garden, “What would you do, rabbi,” the student asked, “if you knew the messiah was coming today?” Stroking his beard and pursing his lips, the rabbi replied, “Well, I would continue to water my garden.”
​​​​​​​Before we decipher life, let us see life.
​​​​​​​Before we wish for another life, let us feel this life.
​​​​​​​Before we give in to “if only”, let us hear this moment.
​​​​​​​Before we succumb to “someday”, let us inhale this day.
​​​​​​​Before we trade in this life, for the life we should have, let us taste this life.
​​​​​​​We make the choice to be open. To be available. To be curious. To be alive. To be willing to be surprised by joy. To know there is power in the word “enough”. 

And the good news?  We carry this capacity to honor the present into every encounter and relationship. Meaning that we honor the dignity that is reflected by God’s goodness and grace. This means that every encounter can be a place to include, invite mercy, encourage, heal, reconcile, repair, say thank you, pray, celebrate, restore, refuel.
​​​​​​​Count me in. What’s next? Well, that’s where I miss the point. Making a difference is what spills from a grounded life.
​​​​​​​So, I’ll follow Mary Oliver’s Instructions for life, “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” When you do that, “what’s next” takes care of itself… “

— Excerpted from the Sabbath Moment by Terry Hershey –  Let Us Taste This Life, April 16, 2018

Opening reflection chosen and read by Nancy L.

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” When the energy of mindfulness is present, transformation takes place . When the energy of the Holy Spirit is within you, understanding, love , peace and stability are possible. God is within. You are, yet you are not, but God is in you. This is interbeing. This is non-self.”
Thich Nhat Hanh —  Living Buddha, Living Christ

Photos and reflection by Denise P.

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I began my walk focused on being in this moment and inhaling this day. Instead of “thinking” too much or analyzing what the environment might be saying to me, I tried to walk observing and sensing things moment to moment – a walking meditation. I was first drawn to the starkness of a dead tree against the blue sky. As I stood for a moment, a bird landed on a top branch with her breakfast in mouth… I smiled as I was surprised by the joy of her silhouette against the brilliant sky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I walked on a path in the woods, I noticed several thresholds, and thought (yes, it so difficult not to think!) that a threshold often does not lead to a known place or outcome, but instead requires courage to cross the threshold into the mystery and unknown… feeling this life, being in this moment, and finding the wonder in how the mystery unfolds.

Ahhh…. how I do love the light and shadows! In the moment in this moment…

Photos and reflections by Nancy L.