FOR PRESENCE
John O’Donohue
Awaken to the mystery of being here
and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
Respond to the call of our gift and the courage to follow its path.
Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.
May anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven
around the heart of wonder.
I host a book club. Every month. Anyone who wants to come can come…..all ages…..just whoever would like to read a book and discuss it. I love books. I could read all day……everyday…..and live happily ever after. However, with six kids, life, this is not my reality. By my bed are dozens of books….AND….I am reading through all of them…..smile.
February’s book was a pick from Mary who ended up not showing up……which is kinda funny. The book was, “I Am Proud of You”, “My Friendship with Fred Rogers”, by Tim Madigan. Yes, Mr. Rogers…..the TV guy…..that my kids watched….and my brother, for that matter. Would never, ever have read it….which is why I LOVE BOOK CLUB!
You may ask, what does a book about Mr. Rogers have to do with this prayer? Well, let me tell you. Presence. The ability to be present with whomever he came in contact with…..stopping EVERYTHING…..to listen…..love……encourage……he really was quite an amazing soul. I always thought he took way too long to change shoes…and put on his sweater or take off his sweater…..he spoke slowly…..carefully……methoodically……never in a hurry. It’s why kids loved him and adults marveled at him. If you were a person he had never met before….he stopped and took your picture. He wanted to remember you. He rose every morning before dawn to pray for countless people….always! This book find, which I checked out at our local library, is one I must buy for my collection. And I love how this book….which is why I read books…..reminded me, again, of why I chose a year ago….to slow down. Which is really, really, really, hard for me to do.
Most of my life I have plowed through…..always in a hurry…..to do what….I’m not sure. Then I married Rob…..My personal Mr. Rogers, basically. Rob has this knack for doing EVERYTHING slowly…..EVERYTHING! The first eight years of our marriage I wanted to kill him. Not literally…..well….maybe on some days. I really don’t know how he is a UPS man. It is a super fast-paced job. No lolligagging…..you gotta move. The minute he clocks out and leaves the center and gets in his truck…..he slows down…..to a turtle’s pace. By the time he gets home….I’m just getting started….smile. Hence, the drama in our family, at times.
Last year, however, I decided to join him. Most of the time. If we were both turtles nothing would ever get done. But, I am learning to slow down….relax…..enjoy…..be present. It has been HORRIBLE at times……I totally suck at it. But, there is a peace that comes in looking at your schedule and deciding, “Is that really what I am supposed to be doing? Is this really what God has asked me to do? Will this benefit my relationship with God, my husband, my sons? Do I need to say no? Does this fit into the plan that God has shown me for my life?” Hence, my schedule has become less chaotic and more peaceful. I kinda like it. It allows me to find those sacred moments in my day….those magical times that I missed so often when I was ‘crazy bent’ on getting EVERYTHING done.
To just be…..to listen…..to love…..be present……Is my prayer for your day. Happy Monday!
I didn’t get around to reading this until Tuesday, because Monday was so busy. 🙂 Guess I could have used it on Monday, and every other day too.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Rogers many years ago. He was exactly the same in person as he was on television. I grew up watching him too, his show premiered when I was 2. So when my husband was working on a project with him, I took the opportunity to stop by and thank him for the lessons he shared with me (and the rest of the audience) as a child. He took the time out to listen and engage, and then complemented my husband on how special he is, in that lilting voice of his. It is a fond memory, one that reminds me to slow down and not be in such a hurry. Thanks for your reminder too.
Oh My….that is awesome!!! I love that you confirm what the book said! Thank you…I will tell my girls at book club….they will love this! Have a fabulous Tuesday….lol!
My first tip is to alawys start your day with prayer. God gave you everything so thank Him for everything once you open your eyes. Also end your day with prayer and thank Him for what He gave you that day, Good or bad.heartnsoulcooking[at]gmail[dot]com
great stuff, I’m so proud of you. there is such freedom in finding your own pace instead of trying to keep up with everyone else.
I need a new post.
cnlkoomouthtiltbill on February 7, 2011 It took forever to find the channel, I was pressing up forever but I got it! Thank you!
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