|
|
|
| Saturday, April 19, 2008 |
 |
Seeing Home for the First Time
By webmaster @ 1:21 PM :: 106 Views ::
0 Comments :: Nina Frost
|
 |
Sometimes events are sufficiently large that we can’t take them in as they are happening. These days of the Easter season I am trying to be present to a classic life shift—my parents’ move out of the home my sister and I grew up in, a place they have been for almost 50 years. Needless to say, there is much to do, and much “stuff” on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
But what I want to focus on is a sobering moment I had last week going through the apartment with my mother, deciding what I wanted to keep. One thing that makes a move like this hard is the deadline that looms, the need to get out before a closing date. In the speed review of objects that were increasingly becoming sacred as their fate was being determined, I became aware of how little I had really seen what was part and parcel of the walls I had spent so many years surrounded by.
Case in point: Looking at a painting on a wall to see if I wanted it in my home, and realizing that for all the years of noticing it, even appreciating it, I had never really seen it. Never taken the time to really look at it. That was true over and over as we proceeded from room to room.
This made me feel terminally oblivious. All those years in the soft glow of that place, and probably on many levels only faintly aware. Who knew? Having to stop, look, and most importantly, decide about things put them into focus—for the first time and, oddly, the last time.
What I am taking away from this is a question of spiritual practice (though it’s tempting to just dwell on some less than kind aspect of my cluelessness). There is something here about slowing down… enough to look… to see… to appreciate… and, especially, to be present to the places, and the people, that are the most familiar—the ones I think I already know and see and understand.
Because if this week taught me anything, it is that my focus can be rushed and blurry and superficial—about that which is closest to home and heart.
How could you apply stopping and being present in your own life this week? What is it you need to see? We don’t need the imperative of a move to heed the call to stand in place and look. |
|
|
|
|
| Comments |
Currently, there are no comments. Be the first to post one!
You must be logged in to post a comment. You can login here
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to MarbleTalks, a weblog published by the ministers and staff of Marble Collegiate Church. If you're unfamiliar with blogs, this short primer will help get you up to speed.
What is a Blog?
MarbleTalks provides a forum for each of our ministers and various staff members to share their thoughts, questions, and experiences with our faith community. Contributors to the blog will use a wide variety of sources for inspiration, and may share those sources when possible. Blogs are built around the active participation of their readers, and will commonly encourage you to take action in your life and the world around you.
Publishing Schedule:
| Sun. |
Dr. Caliandro |
| Mon. |
Sister Carol Perry |
| Tues. |
Dr. Lutz |
| Wed. |
Rev. Funderburke |
| Thur. |
Rev. Jordan |
| Fri. |
Rev. Lewicki |
| Sat. |
Nina Frost |
| Sat. |
Dr. Killinger |
Reading Our Blog:
New articles will go up every day, and we hope you'll check in regularly. The seven most recent posts are displayed on this main page. Each article contains a short description and a link to read the full text. If you'd like to go back and read previous entries you missed, click on the "Categories" link at the top of the page and then select the author you're interested in. We don't delete old articles, so you'll be able to come back anytime and re-read the ones that speak to you in significant ways.
|
|
|