A crappy day. In the best possible way.

I got a photo of Noah today, eating MacDonalds and wearing the accompanying Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hat which came with the 'food'. Not that he knows what a teenager, a mutant, or a ninja is, though he has a pretty good grasp on the meaning of turtles. He's being toilet trained and he has a sticker chart: the deal was struck with his mum for 1 (one) sticker for every result in his potty (of both or either variety, verified by inspection of either parent) and when the chart is filled he gets to eat MacDonalds, which, though he has very little prior experience of it, the kids at preschool assure him is way cool. So he figured a) lots of small efforts are more lucrative than 1 major effort and b) if he eats and drinks a lot his productivity will rise. The chart was set up on Friday and he got the ninjaburger on Sunday afternoon. I expect he is going to become a lawyer like his mum, who is, even as we speak, negotiating a revised contract.

****

My day off was today.

I went to the Doctor to talk about a few things. Brent Wishart, my GP, is, I would think, in his 40s, chatty, knowledgeable and thorough. And optimistic. And collegial. I came away from him greatly looking forward to a long retirement.
I picked our whole crop of plums. maybe 2 kg. And noted the pleasing progress amongst the apples.
I did a few house repairs.
I rode my bike to St. Leonard's and back. It's amazing how quickly fitness disappears.
I cooked dinner. At the moment we are living pretty much out of the garden, which is responding well to a settled summer, so I would greatly appreciate more recipes involving lettuce and/or courgettes.

****

Thomas Keating talks about the effect of contemplative prayer on others:

" The contemplative journey is the most responsible of all responses to God because so much depends on it - the future of humanity, the healing of the wounds of humanity, our own deepest healing. It's not just a method of meditation or a practice to find personal peace. It's basically a total acceptance of the human condition in all its ramifications, including its desperate woundedness...Humans are fully capable of becoming God, not in the fullest sense of the term, but in a very real way, where the light, life and love of God are pouring out of them, channelling a source of healing, compassion and reconciliation wherever they go and whatever they do. They are rooted in the divine compassion and mercy, and are manifesting... the pure light of the image and likeness of God within them, which is the assimilation of the mind and heart of Christ in everyday life."

How far I have to go! But that's what I want to do. That's what I want to be. So I stop trying, and sit as still as I can and invite God to do what God wants to do and hope I don't get in the way.

Comments

Kate said…

What an excellent, balanced day off. I get in my own way quite a lot. Thanks for reminding me of that lovely metaphor.
I love grating a courgette, stick it into a saucepan and cook it up with a knob of butter until it's kind of just melted-looking, then turn off the heat and add a handful of grated tasty cheese. Stir a couple of times to mix, and while it's all gently melting, make two slices of toast. No need to butter them, the buttery juice from the cheeseandcourgettes does it for you. A really nice lunch.

23 February 2016 at 07:28

Kate said…

P.S nice to hear about the long retirement.

23 February 2016 at 07:28

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