Wasted

I feel as if today (Wednesday) was mostly wasted--if you are one of the two people I talked to, believe me it wasn't you who was the problem! Some days just go that way, alas.

Now here I am without an inspiring thought to post at all.

Maybe you'd like to consider this question from one of the blogs I follow about the Power of Introverts. Folks there are thinking about one life decision they'd like to do over. Have you any thoughts on that? If you could make one decision over again, how would you change? And what change would that mean to your life?

I think I'm with the majority on this. Most people who commented arrived at the same conclusion: that all their decisions have brought them where they are today, and that's a pretty good place to be.

There are some very interesting minority responses too, however. One person speaks of a wrong decision as creating a "sliver" in his foot. If he'd just done what was necessary to remove it, his life would have held less pain.

What do you think? Would you like a "do over" on any of your decisions? Or are you satisfied with where you are today? Any days or opportunities wasted that you'd be willing to share?

Posted by Marion

Reprint

I've been realizing of late that we've been doing this Blog for almost a year! Can you imagine? Who would have thought that there'd be this much to say for this many days and weeks and months. In my reminiscing, I've gone back to take a look at some of those early postings. Here's one you might have missed that still has something to say today. The good word? From last summer...
"Minute"

...as in "it only takes a minute."

I can't tell you how many people have said to me "I intend to read your blog but I just haven't had the time. " Unfortunately those folks aren't here reading this rant -- because they don't have time!

But seriously, how many things do we put off that really would ONLY TAKE A MINUTE but we use the excuse to ourselves that we don't have the time? I know there are phone calls I need to make, addresses I need to locate, questions I need to ask...but for whatever genuine reason I haven't done.

Maybe I really don't want to talk to that person, or maybe I feel guilty that I've let it go this long, or maybe I think I'll hear something I don't want to hear.

But those are the things that kill relationships. They're indications of lack of trust or of a willingness to "disconnect." If we really want to be about building community and creating right relationships, then we need to challenge ourselves when we avoid doing some of the things that "would only take a minute" but that may indeed take a whole lifetime of being hooked into a true community.

And if you know someone who could use a minute of being connected to the rest of us--see if you can persuade them to check in here every day or so for a very quick read (I promise).

Posted by Marion

Lunch

Today's good word is lunch. I'm thinking of not just any lunch but of that particular good lunch that is part of our community's funeral practice. You know the one I mean; the one that's provided by the women of the congregation, or supplemented by the neighbours' contributions--a loaf of tuna salad or egg sandwiches or a pan of squares because "You might need this." It's where we all gather back to after the service.

It's the place where the mourners and their supporters start to live without the somebody they've just said one more good-bye to. It's at the lunch that there is laughter shared over triangle sandwiches and trays of pickles and olives. It's here we finally have time to notice how big the baby has got since we last saw him and how much more frail great-aunt someone is this autumn.

Little groups form up around the tables or balance flimsy plates on laps as heads lean togther to share a remembrance while taking care not to upset the styrofoam coffee cup. There's a bit more time to realize who's actually taken time off work, or driven all the way from Kingston or Goderich to be together. People are circulating and saying hello to distant cousins or in-laws from afar, either in miles or years.

What is it that's happening over this lunch? A family is uniting, setting aside the differences that feel less important today; a community is closing the circle around some of its members who need special care. Time is slowing down for just a bit as we remember those ever-so-important principles of what really IS most precious to us.

Take time for one more macaroon and another cup of tea and tell your second cousin how very glad you are to see them.

Minute

...as in "it only takes a minute."

I can't tell you how many people have said to me "I intend to read your blog but I just haven't had the time. " Unfortunately those folks aren't here reading this rant -- because they don't have time!

But seriously, how many things do we put off that really would ONLY TAKE A MINUTE but we use the excuse to ourselves that we don't have the time? I know there are phone calls I need to make, addresses I need to locate, questions I need to ask...but for whatever genuine reason I haven't done.

Maybe I really don't want to talk to that person, or maybe I feel guilty that I've let it go this long, or maybe I think I'll hear something I don't want to hear.

But those are the things that kill relationships. They're indications of lack of trust or of a willingness to "disconnect." If we really want to be about building community and creating right relationships, then we need to challenge ourselves when we avoid doing some of the things that "would only take a minute" but that may indeed take a whole lifetime of being hooked into a true community.

And if you know someone who could use a minute of being connected to the rest of us--see if you can persuade them to check in here every day or so for a very quick read (I promise).