Persevering

They were everywhere we looked--growing on the side of the road, along driveways, in front yards: blackberries, plump and juicy and ripe for the picking.  If only our trip (and the Washington summer) could last a little longer!  But despite all best efforts, as suddenly as those berries seemed to pop up out of nowhere they would soon be gone--gobbled up by greedy tourists and hungry birds and maybe even a local or two.

Not to worry, though!  Some sugar and some heat and there would be jam on toast for the winter months: a sweet reminder--summer preserved.

I'm pretty sure he didn't even realize his error, the reader on Sunday morning relaying an ancient message first written for a people long gone: persevere.  But rather than using that word, a reminder to stick with hope despite the shifting ground beneath our feet, instead we heard "preserve."

Now that may sound pretty sweet to those who wish summer could just go on forever, those who go kicking and screaming into the inevitable future, doing everything possible to preserve the past.  The thing is, preserves may be delicious, but they're not fresh berries, and even preserves don't last forever.  As swiftly as the summer flies, so too the winter.

Which leaves me thinking the ancient preacher had it right after all--rather than trying to hold on to the past that will slip through our fingers no matter how tightly we grasp--perhaps it would be best for us to simply let go, and stick with hope instead.

"...persevere in prayer."

Thanks for reading!  Have a sweet Labor Day weekend--and feel free to share these messages with family and friends.  Read past posts or subscribe to new ones at www.realacorns.blogspot.com.

(c) Stephen Fiechter, 2014.  All rights reserved.

          

Ups and Downs....

It's been said that life has its ups and downs, though most of us really don't need to say it. 

So it was for the mountain climber in Yosemite who recently climbed to the top of Cathedral Peak with his girlfriend where he proposed to her that they spend the rest of their lives together.  She accepted.  In a quick phone call home he reported it as "the best day of my life."

He fell to his death that same afternoon.

What can we make of a story like this?  How is it possible to reach a mountain top--to be able to say "this is the best day of my life," and then in an instant, crash to the bottom?  What kind of a world affords this horrible juxtaposition?

Well, THIS kind of world...that's what kind.  Our lives are filled with highs and lows and in-betweens.  Each of us has stories to tell of mountain-top highs and ocean-bottom lows.  Some don't live to tell their stories.  But something tells me that whether on the mountain top, in the valley below, or somewhere in-between, we're not alone...

Which may just make it all---every high, every low, every in-between---worthwhile.

Whether high or low or in-between, you are not alone!  

"If I make my bed in Hades, you are there."

Thanks for reading!  If you enjoy reading these, please feel free to share them with others...encourage them to subscribe at www.realacorns.blogspot.com.  Thanks!

Gimme a Break!

It's been said that in a single day in 2014 we receive as much new information to process as a person in the Middle Ages would have received in her entire lifetime.  Can you even wrap your brain around that?  Is it any wonder that we so often feel so worn out?  We live in a world of information overload; our brains are being asked to process an enormous amount of data.

No wonder I can't find my car keys!

We all need a break from the barrage of information.  Regular sleep is a good place to begin.  It's also a good idea to disconnect once in a while:  I promise the world will not stop spinning if you don't know the latest headlines, haven't read your email, and don't know what's on sale at Target.

But your brain will thank you for the break--something even the ancients understood when they received with joy that weekly gift that continues to be honored across the traditions.  Many still call it the sabbath.  

It seems that someone knows us better than we know ourselves, and is telling us to unplug and rest.

Remember the Sabbath, and keep it.  (Wholly!)  

Goin' My Way?

Lately I've been a bit more attentive to the notion that life is a journey...and by that I don't mean a trip with a planned destination, but more of an adventure in which each new day offers up surprises, challenges, joys, sorrows, and everything in-between.

I've also noticed how intent I often am in trying to convince myself that other people are on the same journey as I am, and so spend inordinate amounts of time comparing myself to them.  Somehow being in the same place at the same time leads me to believe that we're all heading in the same direction.

Ah, but it's not so.  A more honest way of understanding our lives might be found in the realization that we are not all heading in the same direction, and while we may find ourselves walking alongside others--even for long periods of time--each of our lives is a unique and wonderful adventure.  Comparing ourselves may just serve to diminish us all.

How grateful I am for those who accompany me in this life, even if only for a short time!  And how wonderful to know that this is my adventure, and you have one too--and though our stories may be unique, we are no less or no more for being different.

Wishing you peace for your journey!  Thanks for reading, thanks for sharing--Steve Fiechter

"We're all just walking each other home."  Ram Dass

 

It Really IS Science!

I tend to think that the important things in life are fairly simple--which is why one of my favorite sayings is, "It's not rocket science!"

As it turns out, though, even the simple things--those things that we think are simply obvious--may be a bit more complex than we ever realized, and are increasingly becoming scientifically verifiable.

Take, for example, the idea that paying someone a compliment will increase their sense of well-being, value and self-esteem, and putting someone down or criticizing them will reduce their overall productivity and could even send them for a loop.  Simple, right?  Well, modern brain science now shows us that certain chemicals are released in the brain when someone receives a compliment.  Those chemicals stimulate the part of the brain that controls complex thought and productivity.  On the flip side, if someone is criticized, it can release a chemical in the brain that shuts down productivity and sends the person into "self-protect" mode.

And guess what!  The chemical that's released when we hear a compliment is only effective for a short time--maybe an hour or so--while the one that is released when we hear criticism can last for days!

So my dad was right: "One 'aw-%$#@' really does cancel ten 'attaboys'."  The science backs it up!  And now the question for us is simply this:  If we know we can increase well-being and productivity by being positive rather than putting others down and being critical, will we choose to share a positive word?

That choice seems rather simple to me.

"A kind word turns away wrath."

So glad if you enjoy reading these, and hope you'll feel free to share them with others.  Visit the blog, www.realacorns.blogspot.com for previous posts.  Thanks for reading!  -Steve

Just say "No"

Seems to me we live in a culture of "yes."  Everywhere I turn, people tell me exactly what they think I want to hear, mostly so that I'll do exactly what they want--buy, buy, buy.

But I'm not buying it.  In fact, what I'm doing is remembering words from long ago: that's it's better to say "no" and then do what's right than it is to say "yes" and do nothing.   It's better to be honest about our indifference or resistance but then act with compassion than it is to pretend we care and let the world go on suffering.

Because, in the end, if I only SAY what is right and don't do it, my words are empty and meaningless.  But if I DO what is right, right will be done--no matter what I say.

"Let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no."

Keep Your Eye on the Birdie...

The other morning the cats were a little more animated than usual.  When I went to investigate I discovered that they had found a new plaything: a baby sparrow.

I had mixed feelings.

Being the sentimental type, I felt badly for the baby bird.  On the other hand, the kitties were having a ball.  What to do?  I decided on a compromise, and scooped up the little sparrow and took it outside.  I figured it would have one more chance to get away--and my kitchen might stay free of the fur and feathers.

Turns out it was too late.  By the time I left for work, well, I won't trouble you with the gory details....

But it all left me thinking.  If God's eye was really on the sparrow, as the old song goes, what kind of day was I about to have?  Is that the kind of protection I could expect?  

And what about the cats?  Was it simply their day?  Was God's eye, God's favor on them that day, rather than on the sparrow?  

The problem with reducing the fullness of our experience to cliches is that the cliches never really do more than reduce the fullness of our experience.  Trying to capture the mystery and magnitude of creation in a catch phrase is like trying to pour the Pacific into a pail.  It may be wet and salty, but it's no ocean.

So the next time I find myself trying to sum up the complexities of life in a sentence or two, I think take a step back and live in the mystery for a while before trying to explain it away.  

Consider the lilies...they neither toil nor do they sow.

Hey, if you enjoy reading these, that's awesome...feel free to share them around.  And if you missed one, or want to read them again, you can always find them on the blog at www.realacorns.com.

Happy Independence Day to all!  -Steve