In the Moment

Waiting is not popular. In fact, most people consider waiting a waste of time. Perhaps this is because the culture in which we live is basically saying, “Get going! Do something! Show you are able to make a difference! Don’t just sit there and wait!” For many people, waiting is an awful desert between where they are and where they want to go. And people do not like such a place.

~ Henri Nouwen, Dutch-Canadian priest

At church last week

our minister talked 

about active waiting.

{What?}

Yep, that's right.

Active waiting, the

kind that we experience

when we are expecting

a long-awaited guest

or package, day or event.

Our waiting is active because

every moment is filled

with anticipation. 
Looking out the window.
Checking the clock.

And this expectation

heightens our awareness

about everything 

around us.

She challenged her flock
to be especially attentive to 
all the small moments 
during Advent, leading us

to Christmas Day.

I am striving for

that awareness;

of being fully present 

in all the wonderful
 moments

that grace my life,
and not floating along
on auto-pilot,
worrying about the 
future and not noticing
the beautiful present.

It's not easy, is it?

Here are a few mindful

moments from my week, 

so far.....

Nothing major,
but when they
happened, I 
thought,
yes.....


Here is one, now.


And I hugged it
to myself, 
with a smile.

~ One ~

Snow globe-like

swirls of snow outside

our window Tuesday, 

making everything on that

side look magical

and everything on

this side seem extra cozy.

~ Two~

Coming downstairs

each morning to switch

on the hundreds of tiny lights

embracing our Christmas tree

and loving it in it's

pre-adorned simplicity.

{Decorating is now

in progress!}

~ Three ~

Two does on Monday, 

paused in the middle of our

road, eyes locked

on mine as I slowed

my car to the side

and sat, mesmerized

by their grace and beauty.

~ Four ~

The sheer ebullience 

on my son's face last

Sunday, returning from  a 

shopping trip with his

dad to proudly

show me the gift

he was so excited

about buying for his

sister.

~ Five ~

Tea lights at church

on Wednesday night,

lit to lift up thoughts and

prayers, their flames dancing 

in the dark, peaceful silence.

~ Six ~

Our little dog, Gracie,

warmly greeting me at

the door, no matter

that my absence has been

five hours or 15 minutes.

Today and everyday, she

is my biggest fan!

This first week

of December, I am dedicating

 a Friday flower

to all of you who are

waiting 

hoping

expecting

longing

dreaming

wishing

laughing

and 

loving.

Kiss your life. Accept it, just as it is.

Today. Now.  So that those moments

of happiness you are waiting for

don't pass you by.

~ Anonymous

Thank you for

spending some of  your

precious moments here

with me!

xx

Suzanne

images:

[Last two:  Privet and Holly

All others:  Flickr; click on each

to reveal the talent.]

Posted in gratitude , time