Sydney Avey's Blog, page 10
February 12, 2016
No Joy: Failing to see what is beyond our vision or control
No joy. That was my response to a question–could I recall a trial that ended in restored joy? The challenge was to examine an ordained difficulty. I looked at several trials (growth opportunities we glass-half-full people call them) and concluded that restoration is a process. Apparently, I still have some construction rubble around me.
“No joy” happens to be a phrase pilots use when they fail to see another airplane the tower has warned them to watch out for. The phrase comes from the Britis...
February 2, 2016
Great Giveaway: Purge files to add space to your life
To purge, or not to purge–that is the question:
Whether ’tis better to sort and reorder
The documents in folders in the drawer
Or to set upon the sea of paper
And by tossing, be rid of all.
January was my month to purge files. I purgedthree of six file drawers of their contents and gave away a two-drawer file cabinet.
Out went my work history–evaluations, recommendations, sample work, salary history–I do not see job applications in my future. For the record, I kept my last resume and a slim...
January 12, 2016
Special offer: Moving Mom to Assisted Living
Thinking about moving mom (or an elderly relative or friend) to assisted living? As a special offer, I am making one of my popular blog series available free as a PDF to my newsletter subscribers. Currentsubscribers will receive theirfree copy in theFebruary newsletter. Newsubscribers will receive their copy when they sign-up.
This short guide offers insights on factorsto consider when you face moving an aging relative. Many of us will have to make this call for our parents. Our culture does...
January 5, 2016
Retrench and Redeem: a counterculture exercise
Kilaue Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauai
Retrench and redeem are my watchwords for 2016. In the past I’ve made resolutions to accomplish change, fashioned mantrasto guide my daily spiritual practice, but 2016 wants watchfulness.
Because I want my life and my writing to make a difference, my actions to be redemptive, this year’s challenge is to actively counter culture, to take action to mitigate whatever opposes my purpose.
Having just spent a week sitting on the beaches of Kauai, snorkel...
December 28, 2015
Great Giveaway: shedding 365 possessions
It’s time for The Great Giveaway when the accumulation clock strikes twelve and resets expectations.
This is the year of my great giveaway. My Advent readings saypeople believe more possessions will make them happy. When you are young and poor, yes, but at some point the accumulation clock strikes twelve and resets expectations. These days, it seems anything I acquiremust be managed, cared for, and accommodated. I want less to manage, fewer things to fuss about, more free space.
...December 1, 2015
Timeworn Traditions
Is this the year to jettison timeworn traditions? In response to a call for a Christmas-themed inspirational article, I pitched a piece about celebrating the season when traditional customs begin to fray under the stress of life changes. No takers, no surprise. They wanted cozy tales of Christmases past and lists of tried and truerituals for readers to adopt.
Our family celebration is tinged with sorrow. Divorce and death have wounded us deeply. I find it helpsto view Christmas as a season, n...
November 19, 2015
Find Good Stories in Museums: Part II
An over-the-shoulder look in an exhibit of pit mining technology
The quality of its museums is often an indication of the health of a town. Little Bisbee sits in a box canyon on top of over 5,000 miles of mine tunnels. We heard that from atour guide who guided us through Copper Queen Mine,a manwhoactually worked in the mine before it shut down in theSeventies. He took us through the technical history of tunnel building and ore extraction. As the technology advanced, safety records improved.
W...
November 17, 2015
Find Good Stories in Museums: Part I
What’s the story? In a bid to rid the town of pesky flies, a newspaper ran a contest. Send in your dead flies. Winner with the most gets a prize.
Museums curate stories and tell history in interesting ways. On a recent trip to Bisbee, AZ, we found a gem of a museum. The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, presents the town’s boom or bust history from multiple points of view: bankers and businessmen; waves of immigrants; engineers and politicians; and consumers like y...
November 12, 2015
In Ephesians, the Play’s the Thing
I saw something new in this week’s study inEphesians. Being a theater buff, I had to go there.Contrary to popular opinion, creation is not a clock God wound and walked away from to pursue more interesting activities. Creation is a big cast, full-scale production performed beforea celestial audience. I draw this analogy from Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, 3:7-21 (ESV).
The play, of course, is a mystery. Cast in the lead role is Jesus Christ, a member of God’s production staff. His credentia...
October 30, 2015
Halloween Fun
Looking for ways to put some happy in your Halloween? Some of the fun fizzles whenthe children parade out the door into their adult lives, and the grandkids are too far away to tag along after.As the seasons of life change, our celebrations change.I still put out decorations, but our doorbell won’t ring on October 31. Trick-or-treaters don’t come through our community.
I miss the costume parade. The trick is to find a way to horn in on the fun that no longer comes to your door. This Hallowee...
