SOTC 345/365

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready

to have somebody click the shutter."

- Ansel Adams

SOTC 305/365

"Of all the paths you take in life,

make sure a few of them are dirt."

- John Muir

SOTC 280/365

Or so I've been told. #DaringGreatly

SOTC 275/365

#IAmGrateful 31

Happiness

“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise.

It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.”

- Ashley Montagu

I am grateful for the moments of happiness that 'seize' my heart and my attention. Each of these moments strung together over time render deeper feelings of joy, peace, and belonging.

And while happiness is not an all-the-time feeling, it is the proof that uncomfortable feelings such as sorrow, frustration, grief, or disappointment are also not all-the-time feelings. As we come around the corner of anger or hurt, a moment of happiness may be waiting to seize us again.

#IAmGrateful 28 (Also, SOTC 263/365)

Kindness

"Throw kindness around like confetti!" - Unknown

I am so grateful for the kindness I encounter in this world. It makes the hard days a little gentler, and the great days even better.

#IAmGrateful 25

Beauty

I am grateful for the beauty that is everywhere. A vibrant sunset. The vast expanse of sky. A child's innocence. A friend's soul.

And at the same time, a lone flower in the dirt. An old abandoned house. The texture of cracked paint.

And the richness of colour found even in dying things.

(c) Photos by Gina

"Blessed are those who see beautiful things

in humble places where others see nothing."

- Unknown

#IAmGrateful 24 (Also, SOTC 261/365)

Simplicity

"The point of simple living: A soft place to land,

a wide margin of error, room to breathe."

- Leo Babauta

#IAmGrateful 20

Challenge

(c) Photos by Gina

Challenge is when I can't see the end of the road, the top of the mountain, or anything more than the next step in front of me--yet I know I must keep going.

Challenge is a call to perseverance and daring; awakening my inner strength, just when we were getting comfortable.

Challenge tests my my boundaries, my integrity, and my stick-with-it-ness.

It reminds me to trust the One who is really in control.

Challenge is air in my lungs, power in my stride, and fire in my eyes.

#IAmGrateful.

"You can't fall if you don't climb. But there's no joy

in living your whole life on the ground."

- Unknown

#IAmGrateful 18

Laughter

Let's show gratitude through photographs, she said.
It'll be easy, she said.

Well, on a quiet Saturday at home, it's tricky to take an authentic photo that shows laughter.* So I went on a hunt to make a collage, and discovered that it's also hard to find photos that show laughter.**

Not because I don't spend time laughing--as serious as I can be, I do value a sense of humour and fun. No; it's more because moments of laughter exist to me in memories, not photographs. Laughter is one of those things you lose yourself in completely, and no one generally thinks to pull out their phone or camera in those moments--we are too caught up in the joy and fun.

And I think this is a good thing--that there are experiences of such authentic delight that they are solely tucked away in the hearts and memories of those who experienced it together.

I am so grateful for laughter--for the jokes, quirky moments, and playful experiences that make me laugh till my sides hurt and my eyes water. And for those who have shared in those moments with me. They are the stories shared around the table, sometimes for years; sometimes making us laugh all over again.

"People with a good sense of humour
have a better sense of life."
- Unknown

*I had this same conundrum with "Excitement."
**Smiles are everywhere, but that's not quite the same.

You Cannot Predict the Landing

(c) Photos by Gina

 

Leap.

Whether creek or canyon, the invitation is there.

Dare greatly and leap.

You might stick the landing; we like a solid landing, don't we? But--you might slip and skin your knees. Or roll an ankle. Or tumble completely and end up with road rash.

Leap anyway.

And when you crash and burn, know that it's okay to just sit there on the ground for a bit. To take a few moments and catch the breath that's been knocked out of your lungs. Assess the pain. Ask for ice. Recognize that something happened in the air that changed the course of the landing; you could learn from that.

...But wouldn't you know it, you still made it across. The landing doesn't negate the leap. Are you able to feel the sting of the abrasion and still know the joy of the jump? ...Sometimes that's the hardest part.

Stand back up. Brush the debris from your arms and legs. Gently put some weight back on the ankle. Walk slowly over the soft trail--admire the scenery for a bit while the road rash heals.

Up ahead at some point, there will be an invitation to leap again. Go ahead; acknowledge your scars. They're part of what's gotten you to this point. But then, put a hand to your chest and feel the strong beat of your heart. That's really what's gotten you to this point. And it's the only thing that counts moving forward.

Take your running start to its rhythm.

And leap.

SOTC 195/365

"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." - Unknown

Timey Wimey (SOTC 173/365)

If you build it, they will come.

A guy in Edmonton built a TARDIS, and Whovians all over the city gathered to take pictures of and with the iconic time machine. While I would not consider myself a Whovian, I've enjoyed enough of the series that even my curiosity was piqued. I also know a good photo opp when I see one.

"Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey... stuff." - The Doctor

SOTC 170/365

 

"Sunset is still my favourite colour."

- Mattie Stepanek

SOTC 128/365

Off, a photo on Flickr by Gina Blank

"Listen! the wind is rising,

and the air is wild with leaves.

We have had our summer evenings,

now for October eves."

- Humbert Wolfe

My Soul Expands (SOTC 122/365)

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset ... my soul expands in worship of the Creator."

-- Mahatma Gandhi

Last Sunset of Summer, a photo on Flickr by Gina Blank

SOTC 108/365

"...the sunset, His signature."

-- Unknown

SOTC 100/365

"A flower's appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect."

-- Terri Guillemets

Why I Don't Want to Know What You're Doing for Lent

I don't keep it a secret on social media (or anywhere) that I am a Christian, but it's not something I explicitly shout from the rooftops, either. So, it's a little strange for me to be posting a very intentionally faith-based read, but it's something that's been bugging me about the Christian community, as a whole, for the last few years.

We all know that this generation of adults tends to carry the mentality of "who needs privacy, anyway?" The internet has not helped this. We will share almost anything on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Even when we recognize that we should probably work to keep some aspects of our lives behind closed doors.

I don't have statistics, but from my experience, Christians are not much better than the rest of the population. We are human, after all. But we are called to a higher standard, and I challenge us to consider that during this upcoming season of Lent.

Several years ago, as part of a small group I attended, we read Richard Foster's book Celebration of Discipline. It took us through several spiritual disciplines, examining their value and how we could be more intentional about practicing each. To be fair, there is much of the content that I don't specifically remember. But I do remember that the conversation around the spiritual discipline of fasting stuck out for me. There is a whole chapter that talks about fasting and how one might go about it, especially if one has never fasted before.

While Richard was referring to food throughout the chapter, the study guide and video encouraged conversation about fasting from other things--media, spending, etc. There was also discussion about Lent as a time of fasting, as we often fast from things other than food during this time.

In the chapter, Richard refers to Matthew 6:1-18 as he writes:

"It should go without saying that you should follow Jesus' counsel to refrain from calling attention to what you are doing. The only ones who should know you are fasting are those who have to know. If you call attention to your fasting, people will be impressed and, as Jesus said, that will be your reward. You, however, are fasting for far greater and deeper rewards."

For example, if we are fasting from sweets, and a colleague brings in a cake, and invites us to share in it, we are to say a simple "no, thank you" or "I'm good, thanks." There is no need to explain ourselves by saying that we can't have cake because we are fasting.

We do the latter with dieting as a subtle (or not so subtle) way to toot our own horns, to show others, see? I can stick with my diet plan, aren't I doing well?

But fasting is not dieting.

We ought not to seek attention for it from others.

Now, that being said, does it mean that we should never tell others about our spiritual practices? I don't think that's true, either. As an example, growing up, our family often shared our chosen Lenten practices with each other. There was one year we even chose practices for each other. This was not so we could draw attention to what we were choosing; we were holding each other accountable as a family. We engaged in conversation about the intention behind the fast, as well as the subsequent spiritual growth.

I think that's totally appropriate.

What I'm not convinced is appropriate is announcing our Lenten practices on Facebook and similar social platforms. Unless all 368 of your Facebook friends are so close to you that they will use that knowledge to hold you accountable and engage you in reflective conversation about your spiritual growth, I think such sharing of information is largely just for attention. Look how good a Christian I am, I'm staying away from X for forty whole days!*

How is that anyone else's business?

"Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Matt. 23:12). This is one of those countercultural truths we forget again and again. Society gives attention and adoration to those who speak up, share their story. But it is stated more than once in Scripture that these people may have their moment in the spotlight, but it is the humble who will ultimately be exalted.

It is true that I can't actually judge the intention behind other people's sharing. Perhaps sharing your Lenten fast of choice on Facebook really is the only way you will be able to keep accountable to it. There are blogs I've stumbled upon where the author has put out a recommended Lenten practice for others to follow and/or contribute towards.** Perhaps, for some people, sharing and seeing what other Christians are doing is motivating and conducive to spiritual growth.

So I'm not saying there may not be an appropriate place to let others know what you're doing for Lent. What I'm saying is, what is the intention behind the sharing? What are the motives of your heart?

And when we go to ask others, "what are you giving up for Lent?" we also need to consider the reason for asking them to share. Do we know this person well enough that we are asking out of interest for their spiritual well-being? Are we making Christian small-talk? Or are we just starting a conversation so that we have a reason to share what we're doing?

What are our intentions?

So, as a general rule, what you practice during Lent is none of my business. It is between you and Jesus. And maybe an accountability partner--whose role is not to just give you a pat on the back when you're abstaining from whatever it is, but who challenges you on the days when it's tough. And continues to do so far after Lent has ended.

When someone asks, "so, what are you doing for Lent?" telling them is actually the easy answer. I think it's far more difficult--but far more necessary--to respond, "I know you're curious, but I'm keeping Lent between Jesus and myself this year."

Thanks for your understanding.






* Also to keep in mind, as an adult, Lent should not JUST be a simple giving up of something--it needs to be more.
** This practice even intrigues me, though not the sharing part.

One WHOLE Year

Gosh, how time continues to fly. How are we at the end of 2013 already, when in some ways, it feels as if it has only just begun?

whole adj. 

1. Containing all components; complete.
2. Not divided or disjoined; in one unit.
3. Constituting the full amount, extent, or duration.
4.     a. Not wounded, injured, or impaired; sound or unhurt.
        b. Having been restored; healed.
adv. Informal Entirely; wholly

As I entered 2013, I knew that the word whole would be one to guide me. Unlike my previous two OneWord365 reflections, however, this was not tied to any specific goal or task (e.g. I knew that "create" would apply to my photography, amongst other things); it was simply a way I wanted to practice being as I moved through the year.

• Complete -- Recognizing that I am complete; I am enough; I am whole--simply because I was created that way.
• Not divided or disjoined -- In community, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts (members). Who are my communities? What is my part in creating the whole? What divides us? What draws us together?
• The full amount -- I give wholly of myself; I receive fully from others.
• Sound or unhurt -- Certain circumstances, situations, and relationships can fracture our heart. Sometimes these things are out of our control. Often, however, we can reframe how we see our circumstances, and we can choose to put ourselves into or out of unhealthy situations and relationships.
• Restored -- When we are fractured, weary, burnt out, broken, we can be restored to wholeness through prayer, forgiveness, and being gentle with ourselves while God heals the heart.

"Individuality is only possible

if it unfolds from wholeness."

-- David Bohm

I am whole.