THIS. Your words filled a need in me that I couldn't define. But one of my lifelong practices (I'm 79) is to go out to our garden. Some days I simply walk the little graveled pathways which I laboriously created. Other days, I stop to pull out a few weeds. I always tell all the plants how much I appreciate them being in my life. I encourage a few dandelions to spread their sunny faces. They are the earliest flowers to bloom, which is vital for honey bees, as they are reborn . Their lifespans are perhaps 5-6 weeks. Their food, the nectar they gather, is the sustenance of life-saving honey. I watch the bees drink at our little fountain. They truth is, the garden doesn't need me. I need it.
Alix, once again your words resonate so much. Even now in my 40s I keep trying to make new rituals, routines and practices for myself. Things I “should” do. Even though I know it never works. Even when it’s stuff I enjoy I stop doing it if I “have to”. It’s that pathological demand avoidance I think. And my brain is a little ADHD in that I quickly lose interest and start to feel frustrated and restrained by routine. I do always feel happy and free and connected to my spirituality when I go walking in nature, so I try to focus simply on doing that when I can.
Doing what you can is all any of us can do. I've given up trying so hard. Life is too short to keep buying expensive planners and diaries and calendars that I will never, ever use. I mean, really.
I’m actually still using the one I bought for this year, though the “habit tracking” page for March is full of scribbled song lyrics and doodles instead of neat little ticks in boxes. I tend to give up on stuff if I can’t do it perfectly, but now I’m instead trying to explore that and see how I can work with it.
Such a wonderful reminder of the various ways Mystery speaks to our souls. It reminded me of my days as an intern at a hospice house and learning the many definitions of how spirituality shows up in our unique lives…. Beautifully shared. Thank you! And I’m excited to buy your new book and all the invitations I imagine it holds!
Awesomeness! Yes it is challenging. I was doing and unpaid 6 month clinical pastoral education unit for CPE at both a 20 room hospice house and then did overnights at the hospital once a month to discern if this was a path I wanted to continue before applying for a paid yearlong residency which I did. Talk about baptism by fire! Learning on the fly about yourself and the larger world outside my bubble! It’s a gift and honor to be with so many at such vulnerable times… you get it!
Thank you for continuing to share your gifts with the world!
I really appreciate these thoughts, Alix. Very timely, as I am re-learning in this season how to value myself and honor my needs, rather than scraping by.
You might enjoy this song I just wrote - inspired by poets and reflecting on the gifts of the wild!
I awoke this morning while it is still dark out, saw the moon rising between the trees (I am honored to live amongst towering Ponderosa Pines) and found your beautiful piece. Couldn’t ask for a more inspiring way to begin the day. And I’ve already found my journal and written down a few notes for further exploration. Thank you for this gift 💝
I studied lay ministry in the Episcopal church after we completed the Education for Ministry (4 yr) course. Everybody says the course is pretty much like going to seminary and it was life-changing for us. But at the end of the day, I am unable to believe anymore, so I stopped preaching and now I'm just coasting along, quite happily for the most part. I feel like you--that I would like to do these things and be, like, Zen or whatever. But I am unable, and I do mean UNABLE to establish any sort of routine whatsoever. So I don't. Over this last year, I've been meditating. I do it every day, pretty much at the same time. Oh, I guess that means I do have a spiritual practice. (who knew?!?) And I also have Sumo orange time. And apple time. And bagel time. And love making and art making and coffee brewing and everything looks like a face time and I'm going to burst with joy so why not write another poem time.
THIS. Your words filled a need in me that I couldn't define. But one of my lifelong practices (I'm 79) is to go out to our garden. Some days I simply walk the little graveled pathways which I laboriously created. Other days, I stop to pull out a few weeds. I always tell all the plants how much I appreciate them being in my life. I encourage a few dandelions to spread their sunny faces. They are the earliest flowers to bloom, which is vital for honey bees, as they are reborn . Their lifespans are perhaps 5-6 weeks. Their food, the nectar they gather, is the sustenance of life-saving honey. I watch the bees drink at our little fountain. They truth is, the garden doesn't need me. I need it.
Ohhh I love this!! You’ve inspired me to think about putting in a bee fountain! 🐝
What a beautiful practice - I love the idea of speaking gratitude to your plants
I needed to read some of these encouraging words today Alix - thank you 💜 (especially 'finding the moon between two houses' 🥰)
Thanks Sarah! 🌙❤️
Thank you, very inspiring. Maybe "finding/descovering the spiritual practices you already have" is the first step, before adding new once?
Definitely!
Alix, once again your words resonate so much. Even now in my 40s I keep trying to make new rituals, routines and practices for myself. Things I “should” do. Even though I know it never works. Even when it’s stuff I enjoy I stop doing it if I “have to”. It’s that pathological demand avoidance I think. And my brain is a little ADHD in that I quickly lose interest and start to feel frustrated and restrained by routine. I do always feel happy and free and connected to my spirituality when I go walking in nature, so I try to focus simply on doing that when I can.
Doing what you can is all any of us can do. I've given up trying so hard. Life is too short to keep buying expensive planners and diaries and calendars that I will never, ever use. I mean, really.
Hah! The planners! They’re so pretty though.
Oh, yes. I bought a rather expensive one last year. It turned into a notepad, then was demoted to scrap paper.
I’m actually still using the one I bought for this year, though the “habit tracking” page for March is full of scribbled song lyrics and doodles instead of neat little ticks in boxes. I tend to give up on stuff if I can’t do it perfectly, but now I’m instead trying to explore that and see how I can work with it.
I see so much of myself in the practices you speak about, and I’m looking forward to your book!
Thanks so much NJ!
Thank you!
Such a wonderful reminder of the various ways Mystery speaks to our souls. It reminded me of my days as an intern at a hospice house and learning the many definitions of how spirituality shows up in our unique lives…. Beautifully shared. Thank you! And I’m excited to buy your new book and all the invitations I imagine it holds!
Thank you so much - what were you doing as an intern? I did a chaplaincy internship at a hospital as well, it was very moving (and challenging)
Awesomeness! Yes it is challenging. I was doing and unpaid 6 month clinical pastoral education unit for CPE at both a 20 room hospice house and then did overnights at the hospital once a month to discern if this was a path I wanted to continue before applying for a paid yearlong residency which I did. Talk about baptism by fire! Learning on the fly about yourself and the larger world outside my bubble! It’s a gift and honor to be with so many at such vulnerable times… you get it!
Thank you for continuing to share your gifts with the world!
Ahh congratulations on the decision to apply! Lovely to meet another chaplain here ❤️
I really appreciate these thoughts, Alix. Very timely, as I am re-learning in this season how to value myself and honor my needs, rather than scraping by.
You might enjoy this song I just wrote - inspired by poets and reflecting on the gifts of the wild!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/123350097
I awoke this morning while it is still dark out, saw the moon rising between the trees (I am honored to live amongst towering Ponderosa Pines) and found your beautiful piece. Couldn’t ask for a more inspiring way to begin the day. And I’ve already found my journal and written down a few notes for further exploration. Thank you for this gift 💝
This makes me so happy 🌿🌿🌿🥰
This is exactly the permission I am granting myself, after a couple years of trying to force something that wasn't really working.
I studied lay ministry in the Episcopal church after we completed the Education for Ministry (4 yr) course. Everybody says the course is pretty much like going to seminary and it was life-changing for us. But at the end of the day, I am unable to believe anymore, so I stopped preaching and now I'm just coasting along, quite happily for the most part. I feel like you--that I would like to do these things and be, like, Zen or whatever. But I am unable, and I do mean UNABLE to establish any sort of routine whatsoever. So I don't. Over this last year, I've been meditating. I do it every day, pretty much at the same time. Oh, I guess that means I do have a spiritual practice. (who knew?!?) And I also have Sumo orange time. And apple time. And bagel time. And love making and art making and coffee brewing and everything looks like a face time and I'm going to burst with joy so why not write another poem time.
This framing of spiritual practices feels so good. I just pre-ordered your book, and I can't wait to read it. 🧡
Thank you so much for pre-ordering!! Eee!
Spring equinox blessings, Alix, and many congratulations on your book release 🪻🩵
Thank you, Caroline!