I went away for a 24-hour break at the beginning of the week. The courtyard of the hotel was lit up all night and when I woke about 4am, I could hear a bird singing. Our need to endlessly light up the night sky has played havoc with the natural rhythms of other creatures. The bird was singing as though it was daylight. I wonder when it gets any rest and how this behaviour affects the birds around it. I am sure that we also are affected if we ignore the rhythms and seasons of nature around us. I really enjoy watching the shifts of the seasons, the different colours they bring, the dying away of the old and the emergence of new life. It was one of my spiritual directors who first observed that my spiritual journey and general energy levels are linked to the seasons. I want to hibernate when it comes to Autumn and start to feel alive again once I see new buds making their appearance and the signs of Spring are beginning to emerge. A friend told me that she cannot tolerate the heat, but feels her body tingling and coming to life once the cooler days of Autumn arrive.
The Creating a Life that Matters course is nearly finished now. This module, the group have been focussing on ‘Rediscovering Relationship with My Passion’. They have been looking at their lives so far and seeing what patterns and rhythms that they can discern when they consider their life as a whole. We have been exploring what is like to be in the peaks and valleys - the light and dark places of our lives. Very few of us enjoy difficult or troubling times. Yet we often learn the most about ourselves, our relationship with God and with others during these moments. We may start to understand our own strengths and vulnerabilities, we may find out who our real friends are and whether our faith is shaken or shaped by the experience. Coming out of these valley places may also give us an appreciation of what we do have and how we have made progress from these challenging times in our lives. It is the contrast between different experiences that gives us a sense of perspective about life. We relish the taste of good food when we have been hungry. We appreciate our return to good health when we have been sick. We better understand what it means to be happy when we have had times of sadness.
My departure from Northern Lights MCC will mark a new season for us all. It will be a chance to learn and grow. It will also be time to let go of some things and lay them to rest. Each of us may have our own individual peak and valley moments, as well as the larger rhythm that will involve the whole faith community. Let us pay attention to the rhythms of our lives and learn from each of the places where God leads us.
God bless,
Cecilia
The Creating a Life that Matters course is nearly finished now. This module, the group have been focussing on ‘Rediscovering Relationship with My Passion’. They have been looking at their lives so far and seeing what patterns and rhythms that they can discern when they consider their life as a whole. We have been exploring what is like to be in the peaks and valleys - the light and dark places of our lives. Very few of us enjoy difficult or troubling times. Yet we often learn the most about ourselves, our relationship with God and with others during these moments. We may start to understand our own strengths and vulnerabilities, we may find out who our real friends are and whether our faith is shaken or shaped by the experience. Coming out of these valley places may also give us an appreciation of what we do have and how we have made progress from these challenging times in our lives. It is the contrast between different experiences that gives us a sense of perspective about life. We relish the taste of good food when we have been hungry. We appreciate our return to good health when we have been sick. We better understand what it means to be happy when we have had times of sadness.
My departure from Northern Lights MCC will mark a new season for us all. It will be a chance to learn and grow. It will also be time to let go of some things and lay them to rest. Each of us may have our own individual peak and valley moments, as well as the larger rhythm that will involve the whole faith community. Let us pay attention to the rhythms of our lives and learn from each of the places where God leads us.
God bless,
Cecilia
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