souldare

‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:34 NRSV)

 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:34 The Message)

For weeks now, I’ve thought I’ll get back to blog posting tomorrow. But then something else grabs my attention, and the inspiring thought that flitted across my mind migrates to the great unreachable recesses of my memory.

Today, I will write whatever comes to mind. I don’t have anything insightful on the tip of my tongue or any rich wisdom commanding from my fingertips. I’m musing on the keyboard. Making observations about how I’ve not posted here since the beginning of the year. I had lofty aspirations, which have become small nothings.

Winter happened. I wasn’t sick very much, but I didn’t want to do much or think much or share much. I accomplished what was required of me and even enjoyed a few things, like seeing plays and ice skating and taking the train to Chicago and spending time with friends and family.

I resumed teaching my art classes, and slowly we are getting into new territory and carving out new paths for our created selves and practices. I’ve added a writing path and an evening open studio time once a month. Getting traction after a slow, long winter takes time and effort.

Observations about my own practices, such as writing and creating time and space for art: I start out with grand intentions, I wander away and now I am gathering back in for a reality check. Finding new ways to engage in familiar practices that buoy me up for the seasons ahead.

Other news, we had new countertops installed in our kitchen, and I was surprised that I chose something very similar to what I already had, just new and sturdier, but familiar and contoured in such a way that I do not have to make much of an adjustment.

It’s hard to pick up the blog after a hiatus. But I’ve picked it up and hopefully some strand of familiarity will encourage a reader or two. And most of all it gets my juices flowing again.

I will pay attention to these lapses. I will receive each tomorrow as it arrives.

I will leave you with a haiku or two, that I wrote recently about winter. Haiku is a concise language. A new way of speaking, yet familiar.

Short February–why
so tenuous and lengthy?
How will I in March?

Sunny but bitter
cold outside the window screen
better inside here

How do you deal with lofty intentions? What do you need to pay attention to right now?