Lert's Lessons in Grace

Holding close the idea that every day presents an opportunity to start over again.  We’ve been trying new adventures, exploring favorite haunts, and learning new “stuff”.  Here are a few of our/my restarts:

1. Screwed up my courage to meet with a new (to me) fitness trainer.  As in face-to-face, in-person.  As it turns out, no need to screw up any courage.  I thought I was a thorough note-taker – but she made me look like a rookie.  It was a very friendly interrogation to build a plan around my needs and goals.  This was followed by an assessment of my current physical abilities.  Our next meeting included so much that I never expected.  A very detailed session explaining, demo and return demo for each exercise for several different plans she developed.  Plus warm-up and stretching.  Then she explained how to build my own plan sequencing movement according to muscle group and purpose.  We’re not done yet, and I’m excited to see what comes next.  Grace Lesson:  Try again, open mind, open heart.

 

2. Screwed up my courage to baptize the boat with Bill in the Florida waterways. They are (at least the ones we plan on being in) different from being in an inland lake.  What a beautiful experience!  We still have lots of learning to do, and I’m ready!  Grace Lesson:  Open mind – open heart!

 

3. Goals – I keep dancing around this subject. I am great at writing grand and glorious goals – I’ve said this before and it’s still true.  I am also very good at writing “should” goals, and those that I think are supposed to be important – especially in the eyes of others.  I found a group that fits me perfectly – it’s okay to admit to being very human about this kind of stuff.  Taking some steps in identifying goals that would probably seem not very lofty, not extreme or grand and glorious – but those “little scary goals” I’ve written about before.  And not just identifying them – but writing them down, breaking them down, and achieving baby steps.  Grace Lesson:  It’s there – all of it!

There is more, but it is not for writing and reading yet.  I really like this picture – captured it on our boat trip.  When you look at your reflection, what do you see?  Just the outside?  If you see the “inside” – do you like what you see?  Or does it make you uncomfortable and look away?  Do you see the flat reflection; or do you see the real, living, breathing, flawed, imperfectly perfect creation that you are?  Are you in love with the flat reflection – or the real thing?

Lightbulb moments (AKA massive grace moments) this morning.  Our Chaplain spoke from Matthew 7:24-27, and Psalm 127.  The verse from Matthew is very familiar.  Psalm 127 1-2, not so much.  It was actually verse 2 that really struck home this morning.  “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep.”

I’ve heard things like “fear is the absence of faith”, and “if you have faith, you have no fear”.  It always sounds good, but, well, you know….the “what ifs” just really overpower the whole sentiment.  Psalm 127:2 really seemed to clear it up for me.  I thought about some of the things that I have worried about.  I know that worry doesn’t make it better, or make it go away.  Sometimes it just blows whatever the worry is way out of proportion.  This verse describes me pretty well.  I wake up worrying about something, feed myself (at least 3 meals – and usually many more) daily with worry, and stay awake at night worrying.  Not every day – but when something is troubling me.  None of it does any good (in hindsight).  At the time, it seems like the thing to do, though.

This verse is a wonderful reminder to remember what (Who) I have built my foundation on, and to remain secure in the knowledge that I am right where I am supposed to be at this moment.  I can choose to be sleep deprived and feast on worry, or rest easy on my solid foundation and be nourished by grace.

 

 

We’ve been in Mayport for a week now.  Walks on the beach, trips to the fitness center, exploring, surf fishing, and meeting new friends – all benefits.  Got to see an alligator in our park, and a weird fish on the beach – extra bonus!

I’ve learned about patience – and it comes with grace.  It was really tempting to jump into running, classes at the fitness center, and generally trying to go full tilt right from the start.  Instead, I made the decision to start out walking and acclimating to the heat and humidity.  I chose to start with yoga class, and swimming.  And to ease up a bit when my body asked for that.  When it felt right, I experimented with a short run.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my body remembered how to do that!

Grace abounds in reaching out to talk to others, listening to their story.  Sitting quietly with them, or just chatting.  Actual face-to-face interaction – almost like writing letters – a lost art.  Grace is found in sitting quietly outside, knitting, and listening to the noises around you. (The patience part got to be a little challenging with the knitting – still looking for the knitting fairy to come fix a little problem.)

Grace is letting go with both hands and holding them open for the new.

Yesterday we arrived at our “winter home”.  Back on Naval Station Mayport, complete with beach.

This morning, I put on my running clothes and headed for the beach.  Within a few minutes of being on the beach, I ran into my “beach angel” from last year.  Now I am pretty sure (or at least 50% sure) that he is human…as was the case that previous 2 times we met, he had a message for me that spoke to my soul.

“Welcome to your promised land.  Enjoy the peace, tranquility and joy here. This is my promised land too. Live your life to the fullest and enjoy every moment now.  No one else can or will do that for you.  Only you can do this.”  “Where you are – where you find peace – that is your promised land”.

No seashells this time.  Words – words that resonate and challenge.  I really do find peace and tranquility on the beach in this place.  Being with the water, the sand, and the breezes – all the elements and beauty – fills my heart with joy.  His words challenge me to consider that I could find the same sense of peace wherever I am.  I find that I struggle with guilt about not feeling as joy-filled in other places as I do here.  I know a different joy when I am in Michigan with my family, and an exciting sense of adventure when we travel to other places.  The feeling here, though, is different.  It’s almost like finding a missing piece that you didn’t know was missing until you found it.

I did find my own seashell lesson.  I came upon these two shells, they were nestled together.  What a wonderful visual reminder to remain open to growth and possibility – at the same time sheltering someone else and encouraging them to do the same – and/or allow yourself to be sheltered by someone that can remain open and encourage you in your journey.

Finally, a beautiful experience that brought to mind these lines from Max Ehrmann’s writing, The Desiderata.  “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.”  This large flock of seagulls and other shore birds congregated on the beach, and as I started walking toward the flock, I expected them to take flight as they usually do.  Instead, though, they simply moved and allowed me to walk among them on my way.  It is rare to be able to be so close to them.  They are beautiful birds, and were gracious in sharing their space with me.

Finished Brene today.  Looking forward to ordering a copy of Dare To Lead.  Spent considerable drive time working on my 30-day prayer challenge and thinking about vulnerability.

Are you familiar with “The Man in the Arena” written by Theodore Roosevelt?  Definitely worth the few minutes it takes to read.

This quote really struck a chord with me.  Recently, I failed spectacularly at an effort to do something I thought worthwhile.  It took a lot of courage to make the effort, and at the time, I thought it was worth it.  Have you ever done something you thought was right, only to have someone focus on a very small portion of the effort and blow you out of the water?  Yeah, sucks, doesn’t it?  In what I now see as a very misguided effort, I tried to undo the action out of embarrassment and not wanting to offend anyone else.  I was rewarded by more of the same response.

Today, I was able to remind myself that I can choose to let myself be bullied into feeling less than – or I can choose to honor my effort.  I will remember this lesson in the way I interact with others, and consider their effort and courage.  I don’t need to build myself up by tearing others down.

Vulnerability – it’s an interesting topic.  Are you able to open yourself to being seen?  To get messy and real?  To have the courage to do something because you want to – even if it scares you?  The Power of Vulnerability is a powerful book, as is Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly – check them out.

Listen to Brene Brown’s The Power of Vulnerability!  A message that so many people need to hear.

Marianne Williamson has a great presentation for coaches, teachers, mentors – I believe it is called Teaching the Teacher.  Has some great reminders for people that work with others in terms of coaching, mentoring, teaching, counseling.

We live in an absolutely beautiful country if we just open our eyes/heart/mind to see it!

Absolutely lovely driving day, and we hit our 300-mile goal for the day.  We settled in Wapakoneta, OH at a KOA for the night.

Lesson 1:

Part 1 – I saw a sign along the road that I needed to see.  “Love them all.  I’ll sort them out later.  Love, God”.  I’ve actually seen it once or twice on social media and scrolled right on by.  Today, it sunk in.

Plus

Part 2 – I’ve occasionally done 30-day challenges – usually exercise related.  I saw one last week that caught my eye.  A 30-day prayer challenge.  The idea was to pick one person and pray for them every day for 30 days.  And not tell them you were doing it.   Then just sit back and watch what happens over the course of the 30 days.

Equals

Part 3…I thought about who I would pick to pray for over the next 30 days.  My first choice(s) were easy – people I liked and would find it easy and joyful to pray for.  Then a little voice whispered in my ear – “You pray for them all the time anyway.  Challenge yourself…do the hard thing…NOW.”  So I thought about the 5 people that would present the greatest challenge for me to pray for right now.  Why 5?  Because these 5 names popped right into my mind, and I don’t want to miss this opportunity for any of them.

Lesson 2:

We live in a beautiful country!  Sometimes it’s really good to be reminded of this.  God does amazing things in the skies, on the earth, and in the waters.  And they are there to be seen whether we look or not.  It’s a shame not to see His beauty.

Lesson 3:

Adventure is good, even on a small scale.  Say yes when you have the opportunity or are invited.  This is trite, but when you look back over your life, I’m pretty sure you are not going to say you wish you would have worked more days instead of traveling, exploring, or adventuring.  Adventure is best when shared with others.

Lesson 4:

Believe in yourself.  Believe in your worth.  Do things that are pleasing to you – and you will likely please others.  Fill your cup so that you can serve others from your cup – and keep your cup full.

About that prayer challenge – anyone else up for it?  Make it your own, just like I did.

 

This has been “wrap up week” for us.  Taking care of a myriad of details before we hit the road headed south.  In addition to having been a very productive week, it held a few surprises and sobering reminders.

Here are the grace lessons from the week:

1. Accomplishing fitness/exercise/athletic goals can happen when you least expect it. I’m still smiling for what I accomplished this week – and wasn’t even trying.
2. Life is precious, and so are the people you love. Just remember that – always.
3. You are important to people – don’t turn your back on those who care. We were not created to be alone and isolated.
4. Some people are toxic, don’t waste your precious time and energy. Let them go-then celebrate.
5. Spend your precious energy and time on the people you want in your life – and that want you in theirs.
6. You can do more than you think and can find joy if you choose in almost any situation.

 

 

 

 

 

We were up early today and treated to a spectacular sunrise sky.  The skies are always beautiful at sunrise, sunset, and when decorated with rainbows.  Thinking about this, I realized the I find the most beauty in/from the sun not when I see it directly.  That is kind of painful.  Instead, the most beauty is found when you see the effects of the sun on the skies, clouds, and moisture in the air.

People should be like the sun – let yourself shine not for your own beauty – but to illuminate others and enhance their beauty.  Bring new dimensions to circumstances and surroundings – and use all the crayons in the box to add color and diversity.  Clear skies are boring – work with the clouds and the precipitation – you’ll paint lovely skyscapes and build beautiful rainbows!

 

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be interviewed for a spotlight feature in a newsletter.  It sounded kind of fun, so I agreed.  I was asked questions about what I enjoy doing, what I have done, etc.  While I was waiting for the interview, I started considering those questions.  The fleeting thought that I had a very blessed life passed through my mind.  During the interview, it was wonderful to be able to reminisce about what I’ve done and accomplished.

Thinking about the subject more after the interview had the most impact.  One of Bill’s favorite hymns is “Count Your Blessings” – and this was an exercise in doing just that.  More often than I should, I find myself thinking that I want to more like someone, have more money, belong to certain groups, do more of this, or less of that.  Taking time to be quiet, settle yourself inside, and really look at your life is quite humbling.  Invite your ego to step out of the experience and take a thorough look at your life.

It never fails to amaze me when I look back and see how two (or more) seemingly unrelated (at the time) life experiences were actually linked – perhaps one prepared me for the next; or one gave me the knowledge to lessen the impact of the next.  Same with people – good and bad.  Looking back, I can see that some people taught me wonderful and great things; while others – taught me some very hard lessons.  Even those hard lessons are valuable – helps reinforce things like trust and respect, honesty and integrity.  It also helps remind me how important those characteristics are not only to find in others, but to demonstrate in my own life.  Those are traits that can bless others incredibly or have the power to wound and hurt with intensity.

As I was thinking about how rich my life is, I realized again that it is not things that have made me rich.  It’s the people and experiences – good or bad.  And yes, there have been some really bad times, dark times that I don’t talk about.  Looking at them now, I see that even those times were blessings of a sort.

Grace and gratitude are abundant in my life, even when I choose not to see them.  We do have a choice about that.  We also have a choice about people and situations that encourage or discourage grace and blessings.  I get really frustrated with myself when I realize that I am trying to be someone or something I am not in hopes of “fitting in” or garnering approval.  I need to remember that when I feel compelled to start doing that – it is not worth it.

My blessings are right in front of me, each and every day.  The people that are meant to be in my life won’t require me to be any more than I am at the moment.  The places and situations that are meant to be will be there – they won’t need to be contrived.

The blessings and grace are always there – we just need to present and aware, open to opportunity and possibility, and free of preconceived notions.

 

Grace lesson – choose to be aware, and choose to be you!