A life well lived, then, becomes less about reaching some distant, shining place and more about the steady orientation toward care: how I walk through the world, how I let myself be changed by what I touch, how I trust that peace is built in the slow, deliberate way I meet the world, moment by moment, heart open and willing.
This year I added 4 pink dwarf reblooming lilac plants to our yard. They already blossomed this year and will blossom again later this summer. They are the latest additions to other plants.
Confession is good for the soul.yes? As often your shares do for me Carrie, I must admit I have been more tethered to destination rather than orientation and as such become my own source of suffering-expecting, self righteously that efforts for goodness ought bare immediate fruit. This keeps me locked into a pattern of grievance-a trait I am learning feeds my small ego self.
I will sit with this for a few days. Allow it to digest and I can already acknowledge that the truth is in the "orientation" and not the "destination" (and I would add expectation). I love that you plant seeds you will not see the outcome of. Such a vivid metaphor.
This shadow work is the most necessary and difficult of my soul journey and I appreciate that you are one I trust that shines a light into the shadows. Thank you again Carrie for your gifts.
(From a brain that forever thrives on tangents...) I'm reminded of a wonderful raft trip through Flaming Gorge, UT. Us young adults were eager for a whitewater adventure, eyes always ahead, paddles at the ready, looking forward to the next set of rapids to challenge, to keep our hearts beating and the endorphins flowing. Our heads were wet with laughter. I was surprised when I looked back and saw my Uncle John and could hardly believe he was in the same boat. Projecting the greatest aura of "this is relaxed" , his fishing pole guiding a line into the water, his favorite pipe gently in his mouth, and framed with a background of calm water, he was demonstrating his way of enjoying the day. From that day on, I had a new bar of what defines a good day: it's a very good day to get to share a seat next to Uncle John and get splashed by his outlook & enjoyment of any day. Savor each moment shared with friends and people you love.
1st, I have to say I absolutely love this song. When I was a broadcaster on KVMR in Nevada City, CA I discovered your music around 2002. Once when I played this song, I got 3 calls asking who IS this woman singing this beautiful song? I was always happy to spell out your name and turn people on to your music.
And then, my orientation is living lighter on the planet. I’m retired from paid work, at least for now. I feel like my work in the world is figuring out how to use as little plastic as possible (refill everything and don’t buy new stuff in plastic), how to drive less, buying used things - preferably from organizations that support animals or people in need, and supporting organic farmers. Not a destination, definitely an orientation 💜
thank you for this offering, carrie. before responding to today’s prompt, i grew curious about the etymology of the word “orientation”. its earliest use was noted in the 1700s from the French “orienter" or “to take one's bearings”. bearing this in mind then, peace doesn’t point the way; peace IS the way.
Thinking about the orientation/destination idea reminded me of the Ignatian practice of examining the light and shadows of each day. Not exactly parallel, but there's resonance.
For National Penguin Day (an event I had been unaware of) the Orkney Library folk built a penguin out of books, of appropriate black and white colors, and shared a picture of it on their Bluesky account. Not all their humor is visual but they are good at that...
Speaking of libraries and librarians with a sense of humor -- I know you are not often on Bluesky, Carrie, but next time you are there, seek out Orkney Library. They are the main library and archive (and bookmobile, which is named Booky McBookFace) of Orkney, in Scotland's Northern Isles. Excellent sense of humor I expect you will appreciate.
I keep a favorite quotes book and I added this quote today: “My work for a better more peaceful world must be the orientation of my life, not just the destination.” John Paul Lederach To me it reminds me of the John Wesley quote: "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, as long as ever you can." It is always a work in progress but oh so worth it to try our best to leave this Earth in a better place than when we came into it One more thing every year when it is time to put my zinnias to rest I save the seeds and share them with my neighbors, my friends, my family, just anyone who wants them I give. I love the idea of knowing from my yard to theirs is the beauty of the zinnias with their bright and happy colors. I just know they are making someone smile. It is spreading beauty just like your lilac bushes that makes life better. Now I off to buy a lilac bush. After your beautiful writing I just have to add one to my yard. Thank you Carrie.
I did not know the quote “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, as long as ever you can." So powerful. Thank you Robin.
I know it takes a couple of years for newly planted lilacs to bloom, but sometimes, the universe just has to make love visible. In the spring of 2003, I planted a lilac bush outside my mom's bedroom so that in years to come, she could step out onto her deck and be greeted by the scent only lilacs can offer. Unfortunately, she died in August of that year. A week after her funeral, I was working in my flower garden and noticed an intoxicating aroma. Looking behind me, I discovered that the lilac bush I had planted had bloomed, and three gorgeous clusters were bursting with divine fragrance. My mom was still with me. She still is.
Your post brought to mind "The Garden Song" - particularly the Peter, Paul, and Mary version that I used to listen to and sing along to with my now very grown children back in the day.
I do not believe ther will ever be a true destination if one takes into account the possibility (probability) of reincarnation and creating new journeys once the current one has come to completion. So, we do the best we can by setting our compasses on the path toward the goal - sowing the seeds, watering the seedlings, pulling the weeds, and tending the gardens with Loving.
Like you, I will never see peace, justice, and truth in their final forms, but I do believe in holding the space for the Loving and for the Light so the final form has a way to materialize and change this country and the world for the better. By growing the gardens of our journeys, we spread the seeds of change. Namaste
Yesterday was college orientation day for our son. Our only. It was a well run day- ending in breakout groups where the students went off to meet with advisors and register for classes. After the large group session explaining credits and majors vs elective or Gen Ed requirements, I turned to my son and asked if he understood… he threw his hands up and said in an exasperated voice (not at all unlike my own) “I have no idea what they just said!!” Ok. We started from the beginning and his class options began to materialize in preparation for time with his advisor. The day was full. I didn’t cry. I watched other groupings of parents and students- feeling an unspoken bond. He came home and crashed. I waited for him to emerge and we chatted - so many “what ifs” and “how will” - so many unknowns in this time of change. My orientation right now is focused close to home- and on being present to provide a solid launching pad - and the continued loving space for the questions in the meantime. My answer that most seemed to calm him was “we will help you” and “you only have to look this far ahead- no further”. Launching isn’t the destination but our orientation- a really helpful way to view this time of change. Thank you.
Such an exciting, tender and important time. I have a friend (a very prominent activist for justice and the environment) told me once that one of her most deep and abiding political contribution was the manner in which she raised her children. It is so right to be leaning into this important time saying “we will help you” and being that safe grounding place when so much is changing in his world. When my daughter went to college she had an academic advisor that gave her some great advice her first year. She said, “no matter what you think your major is, take at least one class you are dying to take.” Freshman year there’s a lot core requirements that are being filled but usually there is an elective or room for an exploratory class. There’s usually something really clarifying in taking a class for nothing more than the excitement and love of the topic.
Great advice! (I took Fencing). And also helpful. Sometimes I feel guilty that I am not doing more in terms of political activism- and yet- I am doing what is mine. It is enough.
A life well lived, then, becomes less about reaching some distant, shining place and more about the steady orientation toward care: how I walk through the world, how I let myself be changed by what I touch, how I trust that peace is built in the slow, deliberate way I meet the world, moment by moment, heart open and willing.
This year I added 4 pink dwarf reblooming lilac plants to our yard. They already blossomed this year and will blossom again later this summer. They are the latest additions to other plants.
Attentiveness is love.
Confession is good for the soul.yes? As often your shares do for me Carrie, I must admit I have been more tethered to destination rather than orientation and as such become my own source of suffering-expecting, self righteously that efforts for goodness ought bare immediate fruit. This keeps me locked into a pattern of grievance-a trait I am learning feeds my small ego self.
I will sit with this for a few days. Allow it to digest and I can already acknowledge that the truth is in the "orientation" and not the "destination" (and I would add expectation). I love that you plant seeds you will not see the outcome of. Such a vivid metaphor.
This shadow work is the most necessary and difficult of my soul journey and I appreciate that you are one I trust that shines a light into the shadows. Thank you again Carrie for your gifts.
(From a brain that forever thrives on tangents...) I'm reminded of a wonderful raft trip through Flaming Gorge, UT. Us young adults were eager for a whitewater adventure, eyes always ahead, paddles at the ready, looking forward to the next set of rapids to challenge, to keep our hearts beating and the endorphins flowing. Our heads were wet with laughter. I was surprised when I looked back and saw my Uncle John and could hardly believe he was in the same boat. Projecting the greatest aura of "this is relaxed" , his fishing pole guiding a line into the water, his favorite pipe gently in his mouth, and framed with a background of calm water, he was demonstrating his way of enjoying the day. From that day on, I had a new bar of what defines a good day: it's a very good day to get to share a seat next to Uncle John and get splashed by his outlook & enjoyment of any day. Savor each moment shared with friends and people you love.
1st, I have to say I absolutely love this song. When I was a broadcaster on KVMR in Nevada City, CA I discovered your music around 2002. Once when I played this song, I got 3 calls asking who IS this woman singing this beautiful song? I was always happy to spell out your name and turn people on to your music.
And then, my orientation is living lighter on the planet. I’m retired from paid work, at least for now. I feel like my work in the world is figuring out how to use as little plastic as possible (refill everything and don’t buy new stuff in plastic), how to drive less, buying used things - preferably from organizations that support animals or people in need, and supporting organic farmers. Not a destination, definitely an orientation 💜
thank you for this offering, carrie. before responding to today’s prompt, i grew curious about the etymology of the word “orientation”. its earliest use was noted in the 1700s from the French “orienter" or “to take one's bearings”. bearing this in mind then, peace doesn’t point the way; peace IS the way.
Thinking about the orientation/destination idea reminded me of the Ignatian practice of examining the light and shadows of each day. Not exactly parallel, but there's resonance.
Yes, there is a resonance for sure…thank you for making that great connection. And I LOVE Booky McBookFace!
For National Penguin Day (an event I had been unaware of) the Orkney Library folk built a penguin out of books, of appropriate black and white colors, and shared a picture of it on their Bluesky account. Not all their humor is visual but they are good at that...
Speaking of libraries and librarians with a sense of humor -- I know you are not often on Bluesky, Carrie, but next time you are there, seek out Orkney Library. They are the main library and archive (and bookmobile, which is named Booky McBookFace) of Orkney, in Scotland's Northern Isles. Excellent sense of humor I expect you will appreciate.
Thanks Amy.
I agree Carrie. Well said.
I may have posted this before. If so, mea culpa.
Life is like a box of chocolates
where things come in many flavors
And life can be sweet
if we greet life’s events
with an open heart,
being alert and not
getting caught in binds
like a knot in our closed minds
And we can allow life to unravel
While we travel God’s green earth
giving birth to new blossoms of love
that are biding their time in our hearts
just waiting for the chance
for their eager roots to dig in
giving them rebirth
to start growing with the knowledge
of the wonder of it all
I keep a favorite quotes book and I added this quote today: “My work for a better more peaceful world must be the orientation of my life, not just the destination.” John Paul Lederach To me it reminds me of the John Wesley quote: "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, as long as ever you can." It is always a work in progress but oh so worth it to try our best to leave this Earth in a better place than when we came into it One more thing every year when it is time to put my zinnias to rest I save the seeds and share them with my neighbors, my friends, my family, just anyone who wants them I give. I love the idea of knowing from my yard to theirs is the beauty of the zinnias with their bright and happy colors. I just know they are making someone smile. It is spreading beauty just like your lilac bushes that makes life better. Now I off to buy a lilac bush. After your beautiful writing I just have to add one to my yard. Thank you Carrie.
I did not know the quote “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, as long as ever you can." So powerful. Thank you Robin.
I know it takes a couple of years for newly planted lilacs to bloom, but sometimes, the universe just has to make love visible. In the spring of 2003, I planted a lilac bush outside my mom's bedroom so that in years to come, she could step out onto her deck and be greeted by the scent only lilacs can offer. Unfortunately, she died in August of that year. A week after her funeral, I was working in my flower garden and noticed an intoxicating aroma. Looking behind me, I discovered that the lilac bush I had planted had bloomed, and three gorgeous clusters were bursting with divine fragrance. My mom was still with me. She still is.
Yes…she’s still with you. What a beautiful reminder.
Your post brought to mind "The Garden Song" - particularly the Peter, Paul, and Mary version that I used to listen to and sing along to with my now very grown children back in the day.
I do not believe ther will ever be a true destination if one takes into account the possibility (probability) of reincarnation and creating new journeys once the current one has come to completion. So, we do the best we can by setting our compasses on the path toward the goal - sowing the seeds, watering the seedlings, pulling the weeds, and tending the gardens with Loving.
Like you, I will never see peace, justice, and truth in their final forms, but I do believe in holding the space for the Loving and for the Light so the final form has a way to materialize and change this country and the world for the better. By growing the gardens of our journeys, we spread the seeds of change. Namaste
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHhRyjwYnX0
Yesterday was college orientation day for our son. Our only. It was a well run day- ending in breakout groups where the students went off to meet with advisors and register for classes. After the large group session explaining credits and majors vs elective or Gen Ed requirements, I turned to my son and asked if he understood… he threw his hands up and said in an exasperated voice (not at all unlike my own) “I have no idea what they just said!!” Ok. We started from the beginning and his class options began to materialize in preparation for time with his advisor. The day was full. I didn’t cry. I watched other groupings of parents and students- feeling an unspoken bond. He came home and crashed. I waited for him to emerge and we chatted - so many “what ifs” and “how will” - so many unknowns in this time of change. My orientation right now is focused close to home- and on being present to provide a solid launching pad - and the continued loving space for the questions in the meantime. My answer that most seemed to calm him was “we will help you” and “you only have to look this far ahead- no further”. Launching isn’t the destination but our orientation- a really helpful way to view this time of change. Thank you.
Such an exciting, tender and important time. I have a friend (a very prominent activist for justice and the environment) told me once that one of her most deep and abiding political contribution was the manner in which she raised her children. It is so right to be leaning into this important time saying “we will help you” and being that safe grounding place when so much is changing in his world. When my daughter went to college she had an academic advisor that gave her some great advice her first year. She said, “no matter what you think your major is, take at least one class you are dying to take.” Freshman year there’s a lot core requirements that are being filled but usually there is an elective or room for an exploratory class. There’s usually something really clarifying in taking a class for nothing more than the excitement and love of the topic.
Great advice! (I took Fencing). And also helpful. Sometimes I feel guilty that I am not doing more in terms of political activism- and yet- I am doing what is mine. It is enough.