Coin Toss

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opposing views, perspective, snowstorm, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, two sides, understand

We’re bracing for a storm here in the Northeast. It’s no surprise. In addition to the reports coming in from all across the country to our west, the traditionalists just say, “We always have one doozy of a storm in March – usually in the middle – before the surrender to spring.” I learned early in my life that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” It’s predicted that we will have 8 to 15 inches of snow, more than my town has had this whole winter season!

For me, as for school-age children, this prediction is like the promise of vacation even if just for a day. For some people who are “first responders” or health care workers or others whose work makes it necessary for them to be at their jobs, tomorrow might be dangerous and for homeless people, even more so. This thought reminds me that there are usually two sides to everything: coins, arguments, even world views – although that last is always much more complicated than the flip of a coin.

Today I will make it my practice to look for the other side of every argument, just to broaden my perspective on things. It will be difficult as I approach the big issues: immigration and gun control, for example. For those I will try at least to recognize the reasons others hold opposing views from mine. If all else fails, I will pray to understand the people holding those views. On second thought, maybe that’s the place to start in efforts at understanding rather than a place to end up. Wish me luck – or join me, if you dare!

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Day

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awareness, day off, luxury, prayer, safety, snowstorm, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, weather

The big news today on the East Coast is the snow. We knew it was coming – toward us both from the West and from the South – so clearly that this time everyone had time to prepare. The reactions to these serious but relatively rare events now in New York State are interestingly various. There is joy in the young population because this kind of snow means a day off from school. Oh yes, and most teachers are as happy (if not more) as the students. For police and first responders there is a hope that people will heed the order to stay off the roads so that they can be cleared – especially in case of emergency. There is probably trepidation for necessary employees at hospitals and nursing homes as they venture out in service to others.

For some people being “cooped up” at home is nerve-wracking but those of us who love the opportunities it affords: reading, catching up on housework, maybe an afternoon nap, these days are a luxury. Of course, there is also concern for the homeless and people who lose electricity during these events.

I have no deep and meaningful thoughts this morning, just an awareness of the diversity of experiences of people here and around our country with something as elemental as the weather. My brother will be leaving for work soon in short sleeves with no concern for travel except the wild drivers on the California freeways, at the same time as I hear absolutely no traffic on our road connecting New York to Pennsylvania. Today, then, I hope to spend a little extra time praying for the safety of all in our country and the world and in gratitude for those whose major work is to keep us safe.

 

 

 

 

 

Weather Report

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Anna, cold, homeless, Lectionary, Presentation of Jesus, Simeon, snowstorm, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, think locally

As I clicked on the lectionary readings for this feast of the Presentation of the child Jesus in the temple, I could not stay there even though the stories of Simeon and Anna always give me a warm feeling about elderly people who have kept the faith all their lives and await the reward of their labors.

The wind is my distraction as it whips the snow around outside my window. I love all the seasons and would find it difficult to live anywhere other than the Northeast but this morning I can’t help thinking of the downside of the power of nature and the beauty of snow. I know there are people everywhere in big cities and even in my town, hovering in doorways or under bridges trying to keep warm. While I sit looking out I feel powerless to effect change on any large scale. Today, then, I will once again try to “think locally” about new possibilities for joining with others to alleviate the hardships of people who are outside looking in.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

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hearing, inner ear, John the Baptist, listen, listening, Matthew, silence, snow, snowstorm, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I woke naturally this morning rather than to the sound of my alarm – or any sound. As is often true here, there was silence throughout the house. Yesterday afternoon at one point I paused from the work I was doing, having become conscious that the silence around me was so profound it could have been characterized as “deafening.” That is not unusual if each of the three inhabitants of this house is engaged in quiet activity but I am always grateful for the recognition of the gift as there is so much noise in most quarters these days. I think the snow muffles sound too – and yes, it is still snowing although it seems the end is in sight by the end of the day.

This enforced hiatus because of the snowstorm has been helpful in many ways, not the least of which has been the ability to focus on study and preparation for presentations happening over the next several days. The gospel this morning (MT 11: 11-15) speaks of John the Baptist, the one who spent his time preparing for and then calling people to recognition of Jesus as Messiah. The passage ended with the often-repeated line throughout Scripture: “Whoever has ears ought to hear!” How did John the Baptist know that Jesus was ready to begin his ministry so that his own ministry would take on a new importance? In addition to listening to the buzz around Galilee about Jesus, John must’ve done a lot of listening with his “inner ear” to be ready.

Yesterday I spoke about music and am again reminded of what a gift it is to be able to hear. Today I will need to focus more on my inner hearing – the prompting of the Spirit – which will help me to tie up loose ends and make final decisions about the retreat that begins tomorrow evening. I just read yesterday a line that said, “You can’t hear if you don’t listen.” And that, it seems, whether inside or out, is the key to it all.

While We Wait

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calm, consciousness, ice, pregnancy, snow, snowstorm, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, waiting, weather

I woke up this morning expecting to see snow outside – or at least a covering of ice from the sleet that was predicted as the precursor to a major snowstorm. I had already planned two or three days of cancellations, depending on where it happens when. But I’m still waiting. Cars are whizzing by on our road and my sinuses are telling me that it’s coming but I can’t call or e-mail anyone about late appointments yet. I have to wait for the first visible sign of what the reality will be. And I wonder what the status is in Syracuse, 80 miles away, where I have tentative appointments tomorrow and/or Thursday depending on the storm. It’s too early to call; I have to wait. I can feel the tension in my body and my mind. Once the precipitation appears I’ll be able to spring into action, make plans, see what’s possible and settle into an agenda that will probably take my work life most of the way to Christmas because of the rescheduling of this busy week. For now, though, I have to wait.

We all have times of waiting, some like my morning today. Sometimes our wait is long and much more meaningful – pregnancy, for example. And what a bundle of feelings and events accompany that experience! The Hebrew people waited for thousands of years for a Messiah; many still wait. Those of us who believe that Christ is the fulfillment of that promise are experiencing again the ritual of waiting as we count the days to Christmas.

I am full of questions this morning, occasioned by something as mundane as the weather. What is it really that I’m waiting for? How am I to be while I wait? Will my life be any different after Christmas because of having spiritualized these weeks of waiting – and, really, how am I growing in consciousness of my capacity for change until then? Maybe the storm will miss us and then I’ll just have to pick up and go on with the routine of the days that might have been an opportunity for silence and contemplation. But maybe this brief time has been enough. I feel calmer now, more awake. And isn’t that what it’s all about?