Elizabeth Engstrom's Blog, page 14
March 29, 2010
Anger and Fear
After reflecting for a while on yesterday's post, I began to have compassion for the angry protesters who are acting out in such an aggressive and sad way.
They're afraid.
I learned long ago that anger is fear. And there are only two things to be afraid of: Losing something you have, or not getting something you want.
Angry words all say the same thing. Angry words all say: "But what about me?" (Remember this the next time you fight with your spouse.)
We're all a little afraid. None of us knows w...
March 28, 2010
Inclusive vs. Divisive
Two things are happening right now that have me thinking.
The first is The Owl Box. I've been watching a wild barn owl, Molly, and her mate McGee, hatch out and raise their owlets in an owl box outfitted with cameras in San Marcos, California. Three owlets and two eggs as of this writing, with three million people worldwide watching and waiting for owlet number four.
I'm not as addicted as some in the chat room, but I am fascinated, and keep her site up as I work at my desk. I've learned a lot ...
March 25, 2010
We Vote Every Day
I'm asking each of us to take a moment and consider how much our votes count. I don't mean the ones on election day, I mean the votes we cast every single day with our dollars, our television remote control, and our mouse clicks.
When we click on the ridiculous stories bandied about by voyeuristic internet sites to ogle the photographs of celebrities when they are trying desperately to live normal lives with their spouses and children, we are putting money in the pockets of the paparazzi that ...
March 8, 2010
The Invitation
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interst me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed ...
February 22, 2010
Laying Down One's Life
Yesterday, seven women "laid down our lives" and gathered in my living room. We left chores behind, we didn't go out into the beautiful sunshine, we didn't go to the gym, we didn't go shopping or mow the lawn or work in the garden.
We knitted and crocheted prayer shawls for our friends who need our prayers.
We talked of many things as we worked, but our focus was the garment we were creating, and eventually the conversation always returned to things of a spiritual nature.
We found connections...
February 1, 2010
A February Book Exchange
Well, it took place on the last day of January, but February is such a runt of a month, I think it would be a great time to host a book exchange.
I attended one yesterday, hosted by my friend Christina Lay and a book-loving friend of hers. They had tea and cookies and some delicious teacakes from Germany, and two big tables set up with books that she and her friend were culling from their bookshelves. They put the word out via their respective email lists to come sometime between 2-4pm. The...
January 19, 2010
Back Amidst the Noise
Too much noise. Too much stuff.
That's what I concluded after two days of silence.
It took a good four hours to still my chattering mind, but after a full day of silent meditation, reading, knitting, thinking, praying, I had a very interesting night, of not tossing and turning, but just gentle contemplation and quiet resting. A storm raged outside, so I was snug in my little lakeside cabin, feeling grateful and calm. Sometime, apparently, I fell asleep, because when I awoke, it was morning...
Back Amongst the Noise
Too much noise. Too much stuff.
That's what I concluded after two days of silence.
It took a good four hours to still my chattering mind, but after a full day of silent meditation, reading, knitting, thinking, praying, I had a very interesting night, of not tossing and turning, but just gentle contemplation and quiet resting. A storm raged outside, so I was snug in my little lakeside cabin, feeling grateful and calm. Sometime, apparently, I fell asleep, because when I awoke, it was morning...
January 12, 2010
Preparing for Silence
Sunday morning, I will wake up silent, and will not speak until Monday night. This is in response to a class assignment, to engage in a spiritual practice I've never done before, and then write a publishable article about the experience.
Well, I've never been silent for more than a few moments at a time in my entire life, but it strangely appeals.
I'll take books, writing materials and my knitting. I'll take long walks, meditate, write, read, knit, engage in centering prayer, and just hang out...
January 5, 2010
Dealing with Anxiety
Fear of the unknown is the worst. Well, it's really the only fear there is. If we knew what was around the next corner, unless it was life-threatening, there wouldn't be anything to fear. But this not-knowing…
It seems like our lives are always in the hands of someone else: a boss, a partner, an application, a teacher, a diagnosis, the weather. Wondering how they (or it) will affect our lives while we stand by helplessly watching and worrying, is the stuff of anxiety. That's silly, isn't it...
