What to write on this subject? And from what basis will the
words flow? Will they be logical, emotional, poetic or prosaic? Will they ring
true to your experience or only to a few others?
A commentary is never done. There are topics constantly
present. This morning a sliver of moon hung in the black sky. As light dawned
the moon slipped upwards and westward. Inky sky became deepest purple. Moments
later a tinge of orange hinted sunrise. The day was breaking.
Changing light witnessed the comb of tree branches edging
the horizon. Leafless now they will become feathers in place of combs for
spring. Anyone else notice the ‘comb’? I first was aware of this many years ago
as I drove from Texarkana home toward Illinois . I had started
before dawn as I intended to beat an ice storm brewing in the west and
promising disruption in Illinois
for my trip if I didn't beat it home!
As dawn hinted its arrival I was fascinated by the comb-like
effect of leafless trees on the horizon back lit by the rising dawn light. Comb
was the word that sprang to mind. It stuck there all these years. A good look
to contemplate as you drive 1000 miles in a day.
Artists have treasured the look of bare branches against
changing sky-hues. Intensity of the light is one factor. But the barren
branches are not straight. They are crooked and gnarly, bumpy and bud-laden for
spring production of new life. Now in icy slumber.
Blankets of snow cover the ground, snuggling the
expectations of greenery a few months from now. Safe in bed the grass keeps.
Nature prepares its change of seasons well in advance.
Why this fascination with nature this morning? Why not? Life
is all around us. Tempting us to respond to promise at every turn. Oh sure
there are things on our to-do list today. Meetings to go to; meetings to
prepare for; meetings to document afterwards and prepare the to-do lists of
next week. There are people to see and transactions to complete. There are
commutes and dressing, and bathing and eating. There is living. The time we
spend in between the other items is meant for thinking and feeling. It keeps us
anchored to who we are. It becomes who we are.
It is simple yet complex. It is challenging yet rewarding. It
unfolds bidden or not. Intentional work helps it become more of what we want it
to be. But we are not in control of that fully which adds more dimension and
suspense to the journey!
Along the way we learn who and what are important to us. We
also come to know ourselves better. The ‘I’ takes shape. Learning comes in bits
and pieces. Work builds understanding but only if we let it happen. And put in
the effort. Am I doing that? Are you?
“If someone listens or stretches
out their hand or whispers a word or encouragement or attempts to understand a
lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen.”
~Anonymous
What extraordinary things are we making happen today?
February 8, 2013
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