Hoarding

For your consideration…..

I remember considering today’s message before, for just a second, so I recognized it today when it was given. That I considered it so briefly and dismissed it is key to today’s message. We are all searchers and learners. We forget that we are also all teachers and counselors.

Several years ago, I went to a retreat put on by my friend, Pat Fero. Pat has put on many retreats at a great place out in the country that is owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. It is not fancy. In fact, it is pretty stark and rustic as are the grounds. They too, for the most part are rustic and natural. They are surrounded by woods and the energy is amazing. When we retreat there, we retreat to the simple and basic.

The woods normally are involved in one or more of the things Pat lines us for the retreat. One time we went into the woods and picked a tree and did the Lakota Tree Dance. Another time, the one that I was reminded of today, we were simply asked to go into the woods and find a spot and simply sit in stillness. It was amazing. It doesn’t sound like it but it was. The energy of all of us in the woods combined with that of the Mother Earth in these woods was special. You could feel it.

You might think that experiencing such a moving experience would lead me (us) to share it. But that is not the case. Yes, we exchanged experiences with each other at the retreat but not outside of it. At least I didn’t.

Fast forward five or six years. I’m driving my Granddaughter, Mackenzie, to religious education. She was asking me questions on a questionnaire we needed to complete for her confirmation later this year. I forget the question but she described to me an amazing experience she had last summer. She had gone to a Young Life Camp. There were over 400 young people. They were given an exercise to go into the woods and find a spot to just “be” in silence. (Sound familiar?) She described how amazing it was to have all of those young people silent in the woods. She described the feeling (energy.) It is still a very vivid memory and she is still amazed. She was shocked to know I had done the very same thing and that I completely got it.

So, I am asked and you are asked, why do we hoard amazing experiences. Why do we assume it takes “special” or like-minded people to “get it?” Maybe we are right but maybe we are wrong. Maybe the light and energy we gained is meant to be shared. Maybe it is that light that will chase at least a little bit of the darkness away.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…..

-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Remember you are also a teacher and counselor.

What made me smile yesterday…..

-I had a fun school day.

-I was surprised by pretty warm weather. I am not sure why I thought it was going to be cold.

-An unplanned dinner out with Bob and Bruce.

-I love the new meditation series by Oprah and Deepak Chopra.

-Catching up and chatting with Kathy, Jackie and my Alex.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris