What I Know Now-Joel Glenn Wixson-Vaughan Mall-Portsmouth NH

A Final Note

Although my culture teaches me that cycles have beginnings and ends, my culture's science is being confronted with what it describes as proof of a different kind of reality. In this reality, everything is connected and change is the only constant. As theoretical physics and cosmology push further into smaller and larger realms respectively, notions of finite systems and closed loops start to disappear as viable models to describe our world. We are left with the ideas of constant change and fundamental interconnectedness.

As I ponder these ideas, I am left to consider my own flow. There are times when an eddy in a stream can seem like the stream itself. Side currents create motion that seems like the actual river, but are not. In order to insure that I am not stuck in an eddy, I remain on the lookout for obstacles and challenges that exist only in the main current. When I don't see them, I know I have to push off from where I am in search of the risks and gifts only the real River can provide.

The practice of writing these daily reflections has become an eddy for me, so I have chosen today, the end of the third year of writing, to push off from this comfortable bank, and back into the main stream. I know that I can't find what is waiting there for me till I do, for that is what faith is about. Thanks to everyone who has followed along. I have appreciated your comments, input, and attention. I wish you all the best in your many adventures. I look forward to seeing you all along the way.

Breeze

As I sit outside today, the freshening Wind rises in the West. It gets me thinking about how the Wind never really stops blowing. It changes, but the air is always moving, even if it is just the air I am exhaling. The breeze does not start and stop, it does not begin or end. Sometimes it is just so gentle that I don't notice it. Today, I will be paying attention to time when I think something is ending, when, in fact, it is just changing.

Cycles

My culture describes cycles as having beginnings, middles, and ends. It further prioritizes middles. I am invited to avoid beginnings because they are sometimes equated with stress. I am invited to avoid endings because they are sometimes described only as loss. Without endings there can be no new beginnings, and my experience has taught me that the possible stress and loss can be made meaningful through how I choose to take up these new possibilities. Today, I will be paying attention to the invitations I receive form my culture, and noticing when they do and don't resonate with my experience.

Alarm Call

I was so happy to hear Robin this morning, that it took me a while to realize that I was listening to her alarm call. Once I did, I scanned around to try to see what she was worried about. When I didn't see anything obvious, I concluded that it might be me. Today, I am grateful to be familiar with Robin and her alarm call.

Hawk Perspective

Cooper's Hawk and family call out over and over in the afternoons around the cabin. I can hear them talking to each other seemingly miles apart. Their calls take me to a wonderful time. I am reminded of last Summer, when they were so close and we could watch them flying off and returning. We could see them dive bombing each other, and see the you ng ones learning how to fly.

This is only one perspective on the Hawk calls. I have learned that some of our neighbors don't like the calls at all. For them, they are loud and annoying. And then there is the perspective of Hawk. That is at least three perspectives on one experience.

This gets me thinking about the abundance of possible perspectives that exist in response to any event. Each is important and valuable. Together they represent part of the tapestry that is Life. Today, I will be doing my best to honor all of the perspectives that show up along my path.

Difference

As I sat this morning I noticed a bright red leaf directly in front of me on Maple tree. It was so bright that I wondered for a moment if it was Scarlet Tanager. How beautiful it was against the green leaves on the rest of the tree. It got me thinking about the importance of difference. A red leaf stands out in late August, but not so much in the middle of October. So difference isn't just about what or where but also about when. Today, I will be noticing how when something is makes it stand out.