Searching for hope
and finding it on a windowsill...
Here’s another essay from last year but it seems like a good reminder that slowing down and focusing on the “little things in life” can actually be a very refreshing, and hopeful, experience…
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without the words - and never stops - at all…” ~ Emily Dickinson
The sound was distinct and beautiful. It was a cooing sound that came from my office windowsill at church.
At first it sounded like an owl but then I recognized it and when I looked out of the window, I saw it.
A mourning dove staring back at me…and as we stared into each other’s eyes, I froze and stood as still as I could…I spoke softly and we connected, briefly, but it felt like a deep connection…and it was one that I needed to experience at that moment…
According to Birds & Blooms, “Some people believe that the sight of a mourning dove is a message from God, angels, or other spiritual guides. In the Old Testament, a dove is a symbol of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace. In the book of Genesis, after the flood, a dove returned to Noah holding an olive leaf.
To hear the cooing of a mourning dove can be understood as a call to seek and find inner peace. In Christianity, a white dove often symbolizes the Holy Spirit…Doves are a gentle reminder to help you get back into harmony and follow the flow of life. In the case of grief, seeing a dove may be a sign that spiritual love surrounds you. Embracing its presence can be cathartic. It can serve as a catalyst for allowing the healing process to begin…”
I have tried lately to really focus on connecting with nature, whether through mindful walking, prayer or meditation…life is really, in essence, a moment by moment experience…
Sometimes something as simple as observing, in the stillness of the moment, another of God’s creatures, going about their everyday business, while I am going about mine…
That is when you stop and realize the beauty in life.
It is said that a bird sitting on a branch is never afraid of it breaking because her trust isn’t in the branch but in her own wings…
Maybe that’s what I need to do…maybe that’s what the world needs to do…focus on flying instead of falling…hope instead of fear…love instead of hate…
And that feeling is just a moment away and within our view…we just need to look for it…
What do you think?
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Tranquil Moments…
I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:
Poetry that Inspires
The following is a poem my father wrote forty years ago when he was a dairy farmer. I turn to his poetry often and I love how we can still connect, even though 19 years have passed since he was here with us on Earth. Luckily for all of us, his words remain and continue to inspire…
Children’s Corner
Back in 1999, when I was an elementary school librarian, I started a project where I wrote letters (old fashioned, printed letters) to a variety of famous people. This was prior to the daily use of email and text messages. My questions were simple…
1) From your own life experiences, how has reading affected your life in a positive manner?
2) Was there any particular person or experience in your life that made you aware of the value of literature and the importance of reading?
I am going to share these letters and let you experience the joy many of my students (and myself) have gotten from their touching words - Here is this week’s:
This week’s Smile video…
A 77-year-old woman is being celebrated around the world for her insistent kindness. CBS News lead national correspondent David Begnaud traveled to Oceanside, California, to meet Gayle Noble.
#believe #smilevideos #spreadkindnessandlove
Mind/Body Connections…
In this guided meditation, we practice finding hope by looking at our life like an exciting movie. When we can trust that our life movie has a happy ending, then it's easier to find hope in challenging situations.
Photo memories…
“We take photographs as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone…” Love these photos of my Mom and Dad (I think they are from their honeymoon in June 1948)…
Comedy Lift…
I love to share funny cartoons or memes with friends and family. Who doesn’t need to smile? Here’s this week’s Comedy Lift…
Music Moments
Music inspires me in many ways. This week we lost singer Connie Francis. I have fond memories of listening to her music on my parent’s stereo when I was a child. Here’s one of her famous songs, “Lipstick On Your Collar”...Enjoy!
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….
And your dad's poem is great! 💖
"It is said that a bird sitting on a branch is never afraid of it breaking because her trust isn’t in the branch but in her own wings…" I've never heard this, but I love it!!