by Roxanne -

Spirit Sightings

Photo Greenbabyguide.com

We have “Spirit Sightings” on this blog from time to time. Today I heard about the following one.

A friend of mine was returning from a winter break in the Florida Keys with her husband. Because of bad weather their flight to Minneapolis was delayed.

On the plane she noticed an elderly couple nearby. They were very upset at the delay. Evidently the woman had an appointment at the Mayo clinic in Rochester. It took her many weeks to arrange this appointment. A delay now would mean missing the appointment the following morning. She was distraught. My friend noticed that she tears were in her eyes.

My friend said to her husband, “I could take them to Rochester if they arrive late to Minneapolis.” He wasn’t sure. They had children waiting for them at home. But she insisted, “What if they were your parents or my parents? Wouldn’t you want someone to help them?”

She took the initiative and spoke to the couple. She explained that if they would be willing to trust her – she would drive them to Rochester when they arrived in Minneapolis.

A flight attendant nearby overheard the conversation. “Why couldn’t a shuttle take them to Rochester?” she thought. She spent the rest of the flight arranging a shuttle from the airport to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Upon arrival the couple was allowed to exit the plane first before the other passengers, and a shuttle was waiting for them to drive them to Rochester.

Spirit Sightings are really uplifting. I am so proud to know someone like my friend. These are the kind of people I want to spend time with, be around, and be like. People like this remind me that we can be so much more – if we only take time to notice and listen.

If you’re interested, read about another inspiring Spirit Sighting here. Actually, although they are not named, both of the women in these Spirit Sightings know each other. I wonder if they will recognize each other?

by Roxanne -

Ground Hog Day

Today is Ground Hog Day. It’s the day we find out if spring is just around the corner – or another six weeks of winter – although in Minnesota the question of Ground Hog Day doesn’t apply. We will probably have quite a bit more winter before warmer weather arrives. Of course “warmer weather” is relative. After many days of sub-zero weather, temperatures above zero can seem to be “warmer.”

Just for today I want a glimpse of the springtime ahead. So here are a few pictures to remind me – and you – of what the world looks like when it isn’t covered with white stuff and old “grey stuff.”

Were you able to go someplace warm and have an early spring? If not, treat yourself to fresh flowers or a potted herb today. Meanwhile, stay warm. Roxanne

Photo Explore-Flowers.co.uk

Photo TulipsMarcad.com
by Roxanne -

What Is Your Story?

Photo PuzzleHouse.com

Each of us has a story that we tell ourselves and others about our lives. Our story may include the roles we have played in relationships such as a spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent or step-parent for example. The part we play in our story may be determined by our occupation or education. Often the story includes events we encountered and how we overcame them or failed to. Take time to think about your story.

Recently I learned that my life story, as told by my family of origin, is completely different from the story that I (and others) know about my life. Since I never knew about the story being told, it didn’t affect my own life choices. However, I’m sure the story I told myself sometimes limited the choices I saw in my life – as all stories will.

The Judeo-Christian tradition offers a number of healing archetypal life stories. Many identify with the story of Exodus in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is a story of leaving a life of enslavement to the dominant culture (Egypt) and escaping to a new life. Others may resonate with the story of Jesus. Jesus was falsely accused, scapegoated, tortured and killed – but he was resurrected as a new creation, no longer constrained by who he used to be. In both stories, the world is an enchanted place. God can do for us what we can not imagine for ourselves. In my own life, I truly feel that God “resurrected” me into a new life.

You are not your story. I am not my story. We can change our story to change our future. We can create a new story. We can choose no story at all.

Do you have a story? Consider its components. Are you the victim or the hero in your story? Does this expand or limit the possibilities you see for yourself? Ask yourself this question, “If this was not my story, how would my life be different going forward?” Or consider this, “What would be my ideal story?” Using magazine pictures create a collage using key elements of your new life story. Or find a picture or object that represents your ideal story. Place it where you can see it easily. Now live as if that story was already true!

You may also like Happiness is a Choice and Tiny Silver Spoons.

by Roxanne -

Babette’s Feast

Photo Babette's Feast

Babette’s Feast (same name as the film) came about when I and two friends decided to prepare an autumn feast. One of us (not me;-))lived in a large, old, Victorian home in Hyde Park, Chicago.

We invited family and friends. I remember that my brother and his kids were visiting Chicago and joined us. We created a menu of autumn foods. Everyone was asked to bring one ingredient. No one knew what their ingredient would be used for.

When everyone arrived, guests were asked to help chop, slice, and prepare the food. People who had never met found themselves sharing a cutting board and cooking together. Apples were peeled. Pies were assembled. Chickens and vegetables were roasted with garlic, lemons and herbs. Rolls were baked.

Layers and layers of linens draped the table. Squashes, pumpkins, and if I recall, wheat, candles and bread decorated the center of the table. We even found Limoges china in a hidden cabinet in the dining room! We used it. Cloth napkins and wine glasses were carefully placed.

We all gathered. Candles were lit. Wine was poured. Thanksgiving was offered. Food was shared. Incense was burned. Cello, voice and piano entertained everyone afterward. It was an amazing dinner. An amazing evening.

Photo Babette's Feast

Over the years I continued to plan Babette’s Feasts. I have organized dozens of Babette’s Feasts with many diverse groups of people. The menu has been completely different each time. Seasonal and local food is used whenever possible.

People come, prepare, share a meal, celebrate and are changed. Many experience the healing of being with a healthy community for the first time in their lives. It is always a powerful experience.

It is lavish. It is extravagant. It is elegant. It is simple. It is not expensive. But it is eucharist, thanksgiving, hospitality experienced in a very profound way. It nourishes the body, refreshes the spirit and renews the soul. God is made present and She is smiling!

Photo Red Couch Recipes

Some of the best ways to get the feeling of Babette’s Feast is to watch the movies: Babette’s Feast, Chocolate, Amelie or Like Water for Chocolate. Some books that are fun and uplifting to read along the same line are The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister and the classic, Like Water for Chocolate.

by Roxanne -

The Richness of Simplicity

Photo Scienceblogs.com

When people wonder why I’m so interested in voluntary simplicity and minimalism I can explain that the less stuff I have, the more deeply I can enter into my life. Or I can remind people of the smaller environmental impact of living with less. Of course there’s always the realization that wealth is not about having more but about needing less. Needing less brings great freedom.

But perhaps Miss Minimalist says it best:

“Over the past year, I’ve heard many a critique of minimalism – mainly by people who think it’s nothing more than counting items, decluttering closets, or living out of a backpack.

My answer: minimalism is so much more than that. Minimalism is determining when you have enough, so you can do something extraordinary with the excess.

That may mean working fewer hours so you can spend more time with your kids; buying less stuff to preserve more of the Earth’s resources; or, like Toby Ord, spending less money on material goods and donating more to those in need.

In short, living with less means you have more to give.

That’s the beauty of enough – and that’s how minimalism can change the world.”

To quote theologian Sallie McFague, “We all live more simply so that others can simply live.”

Philosopher Peter Singer wrote a very interesting and compelling book about the same idea: The Life You Can Save. He uses memorable stories to captivate the reader. I recommend it.

Meanwhile, my life’s about to become even more simplified. This year I am moving to another level of simplicity. Check in tomorrow to find out what it is.