Week 17

God, what guidance do you have for me today?

Be ready to learn.

Be ready to learn,

even as you share your knowledge

and experience.

Be humble in your accomplishments

and affirming in your dealings

with others today.

Let your heart be open,

and allow your opinion to make

way for new information.

Today,

Let kindness

do its magic. In all you

say and do, let it be

the first energy of all

your expressions of

word and deed.

Take in what comes your

way today, with both the

maturity of your years and

the joyfulness of a child.

Let them meet in the

grace and love of the

divinity within you.

And let thankfulness

be your response for all you

are able to give today…

and all you learn.

Week 17

Evening Reflection

Be ready to learn. Just reading those words made me go, “ugh” at first. But then I got a little excited. I wasn’t planning to learn anything today, but knowing that the guidances can open a gate, so to speak, I wondered what the day would hold.

Well, I learned a lot, even as I gave. I gave a jovial hello to a beloved friend who had come over to help with some household tasks. I learned that today was her co-worker’s birthday. I met the co-worker in the living room and delivered a rousing rendition of the happy birthday song. Her response made it all worthwhile.

I went to my office and finished a lengthy query for a new book I hope to get published. As I went to the page to submit, I learned they wanted even more than the more I had created. Ugh! I gave my patience and time to get it all right and then sent it off!

I decided to get some fresh air by dismantling a basketball hoop that was no longer being used in the family. As I gathered tools in the garage I heard a knock at the door. It was a repairman we had called to do some repairs. I ended up having a great conversation with him. I learned he had recently moved to Colorado, was born and raised in Texas, spoke several languages, had a wife and two young children, and did construction. He had a beautiful spirit that made conversation easy. I was glad to share my time with him.

After he left I moved forward to the dismantling of the basketball hoop. As I began I learned it was not so easy and that I needed more tools than I had taken out of my toolbox. I relaxed and just took my time, giving the project my full attention, since I had learned that having a pick up service come and haul it away would cost more than I paid for the hoop and stand.

My sister-in-law cooked dinner tonight as she was visiting from out of town. As we ate my wife came home early. We needed to improvise, as we didn’t expect her for dinner. I mixed left overs from the last few days. I learned that shrimp tastes good in turkey juices, that ribs taste good in turkey juices and that honey-lime chicken wings also taste good in turkey juices. So did the turkey.

Instead of going back to work, I gave the rest of the evening to just sitting on the front porch with our porch fireplace going strong, But then a family member called needing some guidance. Well, even as I gave what I could in the form of wisdom and advice, I learned that I could just make it a part of the beautiful unfolding of the day. After the phone call… I just sunk into the beauty and comfort of the crackling wood, warmth of the fire, brightness of the flames, the wonder of the night sky and cool air, and the company of my wife and sister-in-law.

What a day giving, sharing… and learning.