The last post should have been left in my journal. My tirade was more suitable for the ears of God rather than the eyes of my dear readers.
I apologize.
In an effort to remove the lingering gloom and lighten the atmosphere, I turn to relate to you the relaxing past weekend shared with my husband. About an hour's drive north there is a sprawling resort in Hutchinson Island. Spanning the width of the intracoastal shore and the Atlantic ocean, lie bike paths, tennis courts, golf courses and several types of vacation residences. We stayed at the hotel proper, poolside.
Poolside is where I started the weekend with a new book. Well, it's not exactly new, since my daughter gave it to me 7 months ago for my birthday. But it was the perfect place, bare feet stretched out on the chaise lounge, straw hat shading the Florida mid-summer sun, to pick up the book and read.
Reading it was the perfect mood modifier, almost anti-depressant-like (though I wouldn't know) and had a most transforming effect on my month-long contrary state. (Previous post presented as proof). But that all changed with the first chapter called "On Waiting" from this book that is truly as refreshing as its title:Cold Tangerines, by Shauna Niequist.
Cold Tangerines is the book I give you sort of as a peace offering and antidote to my last wrist-slitting post. Your mood will be miraculously elevated and your demeanor altered as you take in each word.
Word after word, page after page I read. At the pool, at the beach, and in the king size bed that was THE most comfortable bed I've ever slept in (with more down pillows than is surely legal), other than my sister's bed in San Diego, California. I found myself content with the 'now and here.'
Here's an excerpt about expectations for that 'one monumental thing' we all so erroneously look for; that big break that will morph life into whatever fantasy we feel we're entitled to. And in doing so, we miss the mundane moments that hold the true magnificence of life. Enjoy this excerpt:
Today is your big moment. Moments, really. The life you've been waiting for is happening all around you. The scene unfolding right outside your window is worth more than the most beautiful painting, and the crackers and peanut butter you're having for lunch on the coffee table are as profound, in their own way, as the Last Supper. This is it. This is life in all its glory, swirling and unfolding around us, disguised as pedantic, pedestrian non-events. But pull off the mask and you will find your life waiting to be made, chosen, woven, crafted.
Your life, right now, today, is exploding with energy and power and detail and dimension, better than the best movie you have ever seen. You and your family and your friends and your house and your dinner table and your garage have all the makings of a life of epic proportions, a story for the ages. Because they all are. Every life is.
You have stories worth telling, memories worth remembering, dreams worth working toward, a body worth feeding, a soul worth tending, and beyond that, the God of the universe dwells within you, the true culmination of super and natural
You are more than dust and bones.
You are spirit and power and image of God.
And you have been given Today.
Ahhhh.....
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Some of my readings were abruptly ended. Dodging the severe storms that can cut a beach day short, we managed to have a wonderful time. Did I mention the purpose was a retreat that was part of a class called 'The Alpha" course? So, there was rest both for body and spirit, all in a short two days.
The weekend closed with a hammock snooze as warm sprinkles turned into the usual afternoon thunderstorms. It was time to take the one hour trip home anyway.
Saturated with sun and and drunk on briny beach air, we floated home on the freeway in a daze of relaxation.
Please accept my offering and take a juice-running-down-your-chin bite of Cold Tangerines yourself and check out the author here:
http://shaunaniequist.com/
I hope her thoughts that sweetened my weekend get-away will also perk up your mid-July
ordinary day!
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