Every Moment Precious

Every Moment Precious




Slowly we become aware that everywhere we go is unique and changing. It can be difficult to realize this when we feel surrounded by the everyday that we feel we've seen everyday. But have we really seen it? Have we looked to notice nuance or difference?


Because there is wonder there. And story and mystery and trial and growth and struggle
and life.


Let's add to the fact that everywhere we go is unique, the realization that everywhen we are there is unique as well. The picture accompanying this was taken behind a good friend's house. I've visited him a few times since his neighbours' house burnt down, and when I went to take a picture he realized he hadn't taken any pictures of it yet either, despite living next to it, and driving past it twice a day. To take a picture as it was before the fire is now impossible. And it deteriorates now quickly. Soon it will be demolished and something new take its place. 


Spring is arriving here. Early flowers are blooming, leaves are budding on branches. It is a time of anticipation. A time of building, burgeoning awesomeness. Soon all those intertwining branches will be hidden beneath leaves catching light. It is windy today. Those branches are moving about as the wires wiggle too. Each moment and day offers sights that will never be seen again. A year from now those trees will be taller, or perhaps some gone. The clouds will change, the light will change, the molecular make up of that branch will change. And for a moment we share in that. 


It is my hope that when I walk, when I travel beyond the doorstep of habitation, I notice and am aware of the deep uniques of this moment in this place, and how it will never be again, as it fleetingly runs off to be replaced by another that will never be again. The fact that this process will continue for awhile longer does not detract, for me, the value of that one moment.


And heck, I'm happy I get to share many of these moments with all of you fine G+ friends of mine. Because I'm so thankful for your moments that you've all shared with me too.


May we notice more moments today :)
and spend them well :D
Jordan

As the garden grows - A perspective on pain

As the garden grows - A perspective on pain

Not wanting to encounter pain, we have developed a vast array of medications, addictions, and survival strategies. We view discomfort and struggle as bad things, to be avoided, and lives are arranged and judged by how well this is accomplished.

For pain and suffering are not comfortable or easy. And I don't intend to suggest we should celebrate or run off in search of pain. I have at times been broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Hurt doesn't even begin to describe the experience. Words are insufficient. But I don't need words because I know that you have felt hurt too. Life brings it. Pain is a common language of humanity. Be it a relationship ending, the shedding of assumptions and religion on our journey of understanding, or cracking your shin on a table in the night. We all know pain. It is a foundation of our experience. And I'd like to suggest that there is a better way to view pain then as an adversary to be avoided at all costs.

What if we view pain as a guide, a teacher? The path of knowledge?

What if it is the fertile soil of the garden of humanity in which we grow?

Soil and earth are not the garden full. They are the ground of potential.

So to, our world of pain and suffering in which we plant our lives, our choices, our relationships, our actions.

Fact: Shit makes us grow. And sometimes it really gets heaped on.

Everybody we look at is also a plot of earth growing based on the experiences and lessons they've encountered so far. Just like us they know pain. How can they not? We share this journey. And we can choose to help each others garden grow. A sweet community garden! With all sorts of different and wonderful plants; with hybrids and variants unimagined! How awesome is that?! Some gardens are pruned, some ordered, some chaotic, some with exotics, some with native species. All mixed and unique. Though some lay fallow and overgrown, all are beautiful with potential.

And as we tend our gardens with nurture and support we start to produce abundantly.

Some produce flowers gorgeous, or scents strong.

Some fruit or veggies.

Some create sturdy trees to dwell under, to ponder by, or to build tree forts in.

Some become grasses to weave, to watch dance in the breeze, lawns to lay on in the summer sun.

Such a diversity and wonder!

And all gardens have seasons. Times of planting and growing; harvest and rest.

We all share so much in common yet express it so differently. What a challenge. What an opportunity. What a strength.

We are gardens growing in the soil of possibility and potential.

What are each of us planting and growing?

What are we harvesting?

What season are we in at the moment?

Together we grow as we learn and live.

As our gardens grow may we find solace in the shade, fruit on our vines, and sprouts in our shit.