To follow up on from the last blog post: here are steps I’m taking toward light. They’re not connected to Lent or Resurrection like I idealize, but they help keep me from spiraling down and crumpling.
- I’m writing a poem every week. It’s kinda fun and a little healing.
- I made a royal pavlova to celebrate a friend’s birthday. And biscotti another weekend. Different kinds, all irresistible.
- I use Sara Hagerty’s adoration list to focus and settle me every morning. She has a new list every month, and I love them so much for their simplicity and truth.
- I take great joy in my miniature orchid that’s blooming its heart out (photo up top) and my other normal-size orchid that blooms stunning berry colors every year and is popping buds again. Both take minimal effort to nurture, and their colors give me so much. The mini orchid is called an “espresso orchid” and its cheery flowers are just slightly bigger than a quarter. Exquisite.
- For whatever reason these days, I wake up 30-90 minutes before the alarm goes. Now I effortlessly have extra time in my day, so I wrap up in a blanket at my desk and study to teach Sunday school or do some other project and look out at the eastern waking sky and feel so, so peaceful. I always think of Emily Dickenson’s lines, I’ll tell you how the Sun rose – /A Ribbon at a time –
- After lunch, I take a 10-20 minute walk outside so as to get all the sunshine at its optimal time. Sometimes I invite or compel a co-worker to come along. This noon walk decision is the absolutely best thing that I’ve done all winter.
- I listen to choral music–my play list or a new find. Loud. As loud as is socially acceptable.
- I do housework or drive or walk in silence, letting the sounds and ideas and sights of the moment wash over me without needing to solve or conclude.
- I went with friends to a greenhouse and fell in love with these strings of dolphins. Who can be uncheered with a string of leaping dolphins? I’m not so great with succulents, but I hope I can keep them leaping.
- I try hard to eat more protein and fewer carbs. It’s a constant fight.
- I spend as little money as possible. But when I find books I know I’ll read, or make food for someone, or join friends at a restaurant, I spend with no guilt.
- I visualize rolling my burdens onto Jesus’ shoulders. It’s something like the way I shrug off a heavy backpack onto the shoulder of a friend who offers to carry it for me. The exercise forces me to deliberately focus on Him instead of only at the injustice and hardship that takes me down.
The brighter evenings, the brave crocus blossoms, the chirpy Baltimore orioles tell me that “no winter is forever, and no spring skips its turn.”
Tis a Gift to Receive 
You inspire me.
My succulents generally thrive but I had orchids that were doing well at first then they withered and died. I was so sorry. They had been lovely gifts. My daffodils are thriving, reminders of my dear mother who loved and nurtured flowers. I have been sharing some of those yellow bits of resurrection cheer with neighbors. LRM
Giving flowers away these days is a win-win scenario!
I’m curious: Do you have a playlist of choral music just for Holy Week?
I’d like to have one, but right now I don’t.
Oh my! Right now on my whiteboard at work, I have written the quote you posted at the end. 🙂 Good stuff here! Im into adult coloring these days. Just discovered how much fun it is to use markers along with colored pencils. The darker colors of the markers add more depth. Nothing is too small to be delighted about, right? Such a good coping skill!
Beautiful, Beautiful! I am inspired by the small things that can do so much to brighten a day. Gifts from the Father are all around us, if we have eyes to see.