These are the moments I have been waiting for...the years I have been promised...after twenty-four years in the public education system working with students (and loving them and my subject matter--English) I am retired. I have to say that although I had planned to work longer, I was quite ready to lay down the red pencil. I am hopeful to do some things now that I put aside years ago in order to rear a family, which included maintaining a career to support them. It is important to make a difference, and I want to do that in several ways. Writing will be a part of what I do, and I can't imagine not using my voice to speak up in public arenas where voices are needed.

Equally important to me are my children and grandchildren and pets. I love nature and thrill at catching a glimpse of a cardinal in flight. It always seems to be a cheerful sign from the universe that all is well and God is present in my life. And the ocean--give me the drama of the seashore with its waves crashing priceless treasures onto wet sand--it is a world of its own, and I can give myself over effortlessly to its salt air and the gulls sun-dancing over my head in less than a moment's notice.

But, it is in the quiet of solitude when contemplation is possible that awareness slips in like the dawn, and sometimes I am like an invited dinner guest, both present and honored, feasting fully on a communion emmanating from the simplicity and eloquence of watchful listening. Here in these moments time takes on critical meaning because I have fallen "in" so as not to fall "out." I can only describe it best to compare it to waking up from a restful sleep and becoming aware that every part of me is absolutely and perfectly at rest and feeling a sense of peace--a sense of harmony--and knowing I do not want to change anything, no, do not want to move, taking the risk of ending what seems as perfect as it is going to get. To fall "in" is to let what will happen happen. It is to touch the sleeve of the Divine as Divine Mystery's door begins to open. (Yet, it is so hard to prevent oneself from falling "out" like a newborn's reflex when startled in sleep). It is in the quiet of solitude that I feel my hunger for the Divine, and I am too curious to leave it alone. I must go and see because I can't think of anything I would rather do.

What I find in all of this, though, is that life is very simple, really, and my life's work now has to do with making a simple life so that what rises on the path before me as gift or duty or opportunity or all of these breaks forth as a manifestation of love from Love.

And a simple life also means an acceptance of what is in the present moment; so, learning to live in the moment is a good place to start, at least for me right now today.

I invite and welcome encouragement and insight, for making a path smoother and a life simpler as the journey continues is a challenge accomplished better with help than alone.  I welcome you, I invite you, and I hope that you'll stop in and share your story!

May light lead to peace and peace to joy for us all! 

Lin

• See all Rather Be a Dolphin's photos

Friends: 43

dawnandrea06777

belleo

luthitarian

samie

QuietQuakerLady

doxieman122

joycon

mistyblue62

Beyond Blue

The Soulmate Project

Through the Fog

The Faith Club

Painting

• Create New Group
• Manage My Groups
• Search Groups

• See all Rather Be a Dolphin's feeds