Grace, Gratitude, and the River
If a week passes by without my going into the river, it feels as if something is incomplete in my life...
Yesterday I "eye-balled" the river and meant to go in - even if it was for 30 minutes, but the chance did not quite materialize...
Today I was determined to go in, even though it had rained and there were very visible currents in the river...
Grace and I launched ourselves, and I paddled upstream, staying very near to the Virginia shore - which I never do - in very choppy waters and windy circumstances. While I might have previously shied away from such conditions, I felt exhilarated and the paddling seemed almost effortless...Eventually I found myself paddling upstream smack in the middle of the river...
The sky was blue, the air was crisp and the wind brisk - and I felt so alive and grateful for each moment I got to spend in the water...
I tossed this way and that and imagined what it would be like to paddle in the sea. I also thought of Ann Linnea paddling all over Lake Superior under very treacherous conditions which she documents in her book - Deep Water Passage. I made reference to this book in several blogs this past summer - before I had any idea Grace would come into my life - and that I would name my kayak the same as Ann Linnea's. I had no idea Grace would be such a gift in my life, though I now can see my blog entries were pointing in that direction...
I paddled up three quarters of a way up the first island and then meditated. Instead of simply floating, I was gently tossed and with my eyes closed it seemed as if I were being gently and lovingly massaged. In fact, I imagined that my very soul was being massaged by God through the elements of wind and water while birds of the air provided nature's music...
While in the water, I gave thanks for so many things as I reflected on teaching and subbing a number of classes in the last few days - where I invited students to create a greater opening in their bodies to express and receive gratitude. We worked at opening the shoulders so they could more deeply unveil their hearts...
I also thought of a beautiful young medical doctor - once a high school student of mine - who is battling tumors in her brain and spinal cord. She had to sideline a surgical residency. And while she never complains and accepts everything with grace and maintains hope, I am saddened that she has to suffer so. She has always been a bright light on this planet - and she shines even more brightly now through her ordeal - teaching us all who know and love her - how to live more fully.
I am grateful for her - and all who have come into my life - one way or another. I am grateful for this year full of adversity and loss - that opened the door to opportunity and countless graces and gifts. I am grateful for all the painful experiences I've had for they have taught me how to be more compassionate. I am grateful for the life I am able to live which affords me ample time to practice and commune with this river just about any time I wish.
And I am grateful for God's continued presence and protection in my life. Indeed - who could ask for anything more?
I paddled back, and realized I was a little disoriented. With all the leaves gone and my very poor sense of depth perception - the Maryland shore and the islands all blended into one - looking like one unbroken shoreline...This river I paddle in, is truly never the same river twice - and I am grateful for that as well...
Yesterday I "eye-balled" the river and meant to go in - even if it was for 30 minutes, but the chance did not quite materialize...
Today I was determined to go in, even though it had rained and there were very visible currents in the river...
Grace and I launched ourselves, and I paddled upstream, staying very near to the Virginia shore - which I never do - in very choppy waters and windy circumstances. While I might have previously shied away from such conditions, I felt exhilarated and the paddling seemed almost effortless...Eventually I found myself paddling upstream smack in the middle of the river...
The sky was blue, the air was crisp and the wind brisk - and I felt so alive and grateful for each moment I got to spend in the water...
I tossed this way and that and imagined what it would be like to paddle in the sea. I also thought of Ann Linnea paddling all over Lake Superior under very treacherous conditions which she documents in her book - Deep Water Passage. I made reference to this book in several blogs this past summer - before I had any idea Grace would come into my life - and that I would name my kayak the same as Ann Linnea's. I had no idea Grace would be such a gift in my life, though I now can see my blog entries were pointing in that direction...
I paddled up three quarters of a way up the first island and then meditated. Instead of simply floating, I was gently tossed and with my eyes closed it seemed as if I were being gently and lovingly massaged. In fact, I imagined that my very soul was being massaged by God through the elements of wind and water while birds of the air provided nature's music...
While in the water, I gave thanks for so many things as I reflected on teaching and subbing a number of classes in the last few days - where I invited students to create a greater opening in their bodies to express and receive gratitude. We worked at opening the shoulders so they could more deeply unveil their hearts...
I also thought of a beautiful young medical doctor - once a high school student of mine - who is battling tumors in her brain and spinal cord. She had to sideline a surgical residency. And while she never complains and accepts everything with grace and maintains hope, I am saddened that she has to suffer so. She has always been a bright light on this planet - and she shines even more brightly now through her ordeal - teaching us all who know and love her - how to live more fully.
I am grateful for her - and all who have come into my life - one way or another. I am grateful for this year full of adversity and loss - that opened the door to opportunity and countless graces and gifts. I am grateful for all the painful experiences I've had for they have taught me how to be more compassionate. I am grateful for the life I am able to live which affords me ample time to practice and commune with this river just about any time I wish.
And I am grateful for God's continued presence and protection in my life. Indeed - who could ask for anything more?
I paddled back, and realized I was a little disoriented. With all the leaves gone and my very poor sense of depth perception - the Maryland shore and the islands all blended into one - looking like one unbroken shoreline...This river I paddle in, is truly never the same river twice - and I am grateful for that as well...
"Practicing gratitude is like lighting a candle.
Once lit, it enables you to clearly see
blessings in your life
that you may not have otherwise seen."
Once lit, it enables you to clearly see
blessings in your life
that you may not have otherwise seen."
- Amy Haysman
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