February 7, 2010 - fresh courage |
Be mindful of what you find life-giving.
What lightens your gait, enlightens your heart, brightens your soul?
These practices need to figure into your day.
Don’t just wait for the weekend, or for vacation or retreat time to savor life.
Choose life daily.
Infuse your day with some practices that you find delightful.
These alone will not take away the huge challenges of life,
though this lightening will change your perspective considerably
for the better...
Curtis G. Almquist, SSJE
I love Brother Almquist's advice and take it to heart especially now, in the midst of winter.
It's tempting to feel discouraged and weary during the short, chilly days of February, but we don't
have to. We can work with clarity and joy-- like an artist works-- no matter what our vocations might be, no matter how challenging our circumstances. We can simply choose to embrace the situation
at hand, making the most of it-- just as it is.
Everyone who puts Love into his or her work is very brave. Heroic. Exceptional. Inspired.
I wonder how may ways we'll find fresh courage today?
xo Ann
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January 30, 2010 - Something whispered-- "Snow." |
 Naturally, all the southern children (and their mommas!) went out to play...
until it was time for tea.
I hope your winter days are filled with joy and loveliness.
xo Ann
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January 18, 2010 - Light |
 In Port-au-Prince, people with homes to go to are afraid to sleep in them, fearing aftershocks.
These people gathered outside around a candle and sang hymns all night.
(Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
+ + +
Lord,
it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
~from the NZ Prayer Book
You will find the Daily Office in a beautiful blog format here. |
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January 2, 2010 - one word: breathe |
one word 2010: breathe
to sustain... to breathe new life into
a quiet rhythm... like breathing, softly, steadily
to feel free of restraint... room to breathe
to speak... breathe a kind word
to make manifest... his work breathes the same spirit
feel a sense of relief... to breathe again
to rest and begin fresh.. "Well! breathe awhile, and then to it again!" ~Shakespeare
Let your teachings breathe new life into me.
~Psalm 119
 And so, she breathed love into her work every day.
Will you choose a word this year?
Or better still, why not let a word choose you?
Love life.
xo Ann |
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January 1, 2010 - Hello, 2010 |
the new year has brought me
the flu
(that's what i get for bragging about my super immunity)
which gives me a quiet day
filled with comfortable things:
tea and clementines,
words to ponder
(have you chosen a word for the new year? Ali has inspired me again)
winter music
( this song is my special favorite-- lovely like a lullaby)
Chinese take-out
(thank you, boys)
and a chance to enjoy the still-pretty Christmas tree,
to think about the past year,
and the coming year--
to gain more clarity about how to proceed along a fresh path
wherever it leads us.
and I am happy
(now, if i could just breathe)
be well.
xo Ann
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These are the reflections and plans of a family trying to live simply, with gratitude and God's fresh graces every day. + + You are warmly welcomed to our Episcopal homeschool. + + +
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All original photography and text by Ann L. Collins, copyright 2005-2009. Feel free to link to this site. For any other use please request permission by email. Thank you.
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