What Would It Mean To Jettison Your Meekness? - #94

Look closely at the image above. Do you see a fox? This fox jettisoned his meekness in order to explore our backyard. Scraggly and seemingly unafraid, he entertained us for several days. His presence gave us the gift of Nature. 

Presence is the greatest gift we can give others.   It may be relatively easy to keep our bodies at a holiday gatherings (there's all that food!) but our minds, addicted to constant stimulus, find it difficult to simply be present with other humans. 

On Sunday evening we were invited to a neighborhood holiday open house. When we arrived, people were milling around and talking loudly. It seemed to me that everyone wanted attention. They wanted someone to listen to their disappointments (I don't have time alone anymore, my grandchildren don't write me thank you notes), acknowledge their frustrations (my wife doesn't like my dreadlocks, I don't get paid enough), and join them in celebration (I'm leaving for Florida next week, we will be a grandparents next year). Each person needed someone to look them in the eye and listen. They needed the gift of presence. I could do that!

As the evening wore on, there were times when my mind wandered off and began imagining the hot bath I would soak in when arriving home. Which book would I baptize? 

There were times I had trouble being present without judgement; times when advice bubbled raucously inside me threatening to escape and pounce on an unsuspecting victim.

Wanting to give from my strengths, I jettisoned my meekness (a phrase I found online*) and asked questions. People seemed grateful someone bothered.  

What would you do if you "jettisoned your meekness"? Please share in the comments section - I would really like to know what you come up with. You can find the comments section here:
NickyMendenhall.blogspot.com 

Next post will be January 10, 2014. My computer needs repair (yes, again but I can still get emails on my I Pad) and it is time for a holiday break. Take care of yourselves and keep exploring the mystery!

Nicky Mendenhall

*Advent poem found on website "the beautiful due"- interesting site!
 

 

Gifted With A Quote On Giving

Giving needs to be practiced and developed because our underlying tendency toward attachment, aversion, and confusion so often interferes with a truly selfless act of generosity. Consummate observer of human nature that he was, the Buddha pointed out the many ways we can give with mixed motives: we give out of fear, or in accordance with tradition; we give with the expectation of return; we give in hope of gain, or a favorable reputation or rebirth; we give to adorn our mind, or simply because giving brings joy.

- Marcia Rose, “Dana: The Practice of Giving”

This quote was a gift to me this week. As humans, we usually have mixed motives; being aware of them brings them to consciousness.  What is our fear? What will happen if we go against tradition? Are we giving so we will obtain something?

When the joy of giving is absent, we can assume that our motives need to be examined.  

Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

Homelessness - #93

I was homeless for a few days. It was 1997. Divorce final, family home sold, it was time for me to vacate the premises. The townhouse where I was planning to move would not be available for several weeks.

I remember the hollow feeling in my stomach when it became clear that I would not have an address. I was homeless.

Navjit Kandola is the creator of www.Tenderlogic.com.  I make time to read her posts; they speak to my heart as well as my head. This week she described a man who came to her aid when alone in London and how his presence taught her the importance of being present for others.   

Then she challenged herself not to turn away from those in need during this season, but instead have courage to provide for others. She promised to let her readers know what happens as she opens herself up in this way.

I emailed Navjit to ask if I could piggyback on her idea though I wasn't certain what that would mean. I only knew that when she discussed how giving can be complicated and fearful at times, I wanted to explore my own relationship with giving. Navjit was enthusiastic and encouraging in her response to me and said to keep her posted.

What do you like to give to others during this season? Do you ever feel fearful when someone in need approaches you? How do you decide who to help?
Please let us know in the comments section: www.NickyMendenhall.blogspot.com
Maybe we can help each other be more generous and thoughtful.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

Midweek Medicine

If you looked through photographs stored on my computer, you would notice I like rocks. The ancient rock pictured above was in a garden connected to a Nunnery in downtown Hong Kong. Breathtakingly beautiful, it begged to be touched. There were no signs forbidding it so both of my hands caressed the surface that you see. 

This weekend, while trying to keep my hands warm, I browsed through my books, paying special attention to ones that have been important to me. I wasn't looking for anything in particular but noticed that my hands got warmer when I read:

"In ancient Chinese paintings, rocks represent energy centers that contain the life force, chi, that vital energy that connects everything. Rocks, then, are the very skeleton of the Earth."*

Now I know what attracts me to rocks and stones. Rocks hold the energy that my Tai Chi teacher says we feel when making an energy ball or making the movements that comprise the 24 Form. 

Next time you see a rock - see if you can sense its energy.

 *Marion Woodman, Bone (2000) 

Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

 

Watch Who You Snuggle Up With! - # 92

In an effort to understand the principles and gifts of wabi sabi, I've been snuggling with books on the subject for weeks.

Knowledge of wabi sabi has changed my life.

Wabi sabi resists simple definition. 

There is not a single story to explain wabi sabi.  

Wabi sabi is sensation. 

The gifts wabi sabi offer me, which I'm calling sensation, are the abilities to be open to and to appreciate beauty in any and all its forms. 

For me, this is the essence of wabi sabi.   

Special Note: The painter Francis Bacon was instrumental in developing this post. Bacon found story boring - his desire was to paint the essence. Bacon lived from 1909 to 1992.
  
I enjoyed the book Marina Mander's bookshelf ate, (see Post 90): Interviews with Francis Bacon by David Sylvester.  

Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

Midweek Encouragement

This week I had the urge to publish another poem written by Dorothy Walters*. Searching through posts to find which poem I had already published so as not to duplicate, I was gobsmacked to see that it was a year ago that her poem appeared - November 30, 2012.  
This poem is for you if encroaching daily darkness makes you sad, a miserable cold is sapping all your energy, or holiday planning thus far seems a burden. 

EVEN IF YOU HAVE TRUDGED

It is never too late. 

Even if you have trudged

through snow and ice for a thousand miles

and still have not arrived.

Even if the map is lost

and the compass broken.

When the eagle who is

supposed to guide you

goes off on a tangent

of its own

and you know you are,

once again, deserted

do not fall into 

the pit of despair.

It will return,

brighter than ever.

There will be feather tokens

falling down.

Nothing is irredeemable.

Nothing is lost forever.

Be guided by the stars.

Let the moonlight

direct your steps.

There will be a path

which will open

in the forest.

The treasure which is yours

is waiting.

Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

*The Ley Lines of the Soul (2012), Dorothy Walters. Used with permission.