Silence

For your consideration….

When I was a child I had a step-father that made meal times an absolute nightmare. You had to take everything that was offered and eat every last bite whether you liked it or not. As a parent, teacher and adult, I realize tastes change as we grow. What we don’t like as I child, we may like as an adult and visa versa.

I use this example today to compare how silence is introduced to us. When we are a child, silence is often used as punishment. We are sent to our rooms, given time outs, grounded etc. Currently we use rest and return. While there is value removing a child from a situation, the subtle message is punishment.

Silence is a very valuable tool. If we choose to use it. We have a choice. We always have a choice. We are asked to be aware of how we teach it, use it and think about it.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

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

-Affirm….“I am loved.”

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

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.
-Drink lots of water.

-Embrace silence. Silence is our friend. In the silence we learn. In the silence we recognize our power.

What made me smile yesterday….

-Here in Utila the taxi are called tuk tuks. They are basically a covered motorcycle made into a tricycle. While walking into town one day I passed one on the side of the road at the public beach and noticed the back seat had a young couple “making out.”

-One of the drivers I hired to drive me home had his 3 year old riding in the “boot” of his tuk tuk. During the ride he kept reaching out to touch my shoulder. I would turn around and smile at him and then a few moments later he would lightly touch me again. It made me miss my little young-5s and kindergarteners.

-While sitting on the beach in front of my little purple house, a woman from Canada approached me. She just arrived and was immediately going to go snorkeling. I offered to go with her. Just as we were arriving at the reef, I felt like I ran into a plastic bag. Then I was swimming in amongst several “pieces of plastic bags.” Then I felt stinging and I realized that these were not plastic pieces but jelly fish and I was being stung as was Anna. We immediately headed back in.

-That seems like bad news. But we were not on shore more than 10 minutes and a storm quickly rolled in. We got in just in time.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris