I have a picture in my head of the way things ought to be, but the picture in front of me never matches up. The pace of change is too slow, so why am I always running to catch up?
I’m turning 72 tomorrow and I seem to be obsessed with time lately and how to spend it most productively. I guess that’s because I don’t have the luxury of the long future I thought I had when I was younger. Thank you for reminding me to take a break from my unrealistic schedule and enjoy the many small miracles around me. Blessings! 💕
What a beautiful piece and just what I needed to hear this morning. When all the world seems to be full of chaos and unpredictability right now, the river continues to flow and there is beauty to be found each day. There’s so much I cannot change but I can share kindness and joy and love to those who need it most.
Thank you for this reminder “My job is to find my place in the great procession, rising and whirling like those who have gone before me for the little bit of time I have. My part is not to lose heart.” We are part of a long history of people who have suffered yet loved & lived.
A co-worker who was also a great friend passed away from cancer. I was tasked with cleaning out her desk. Among the pencils, pens and notebooks, I found a small piece of paper. On it was listed her grocery store list: dog food, chicken, eggs, bread, brown rice. But beside it was also written “more yesterdays than tomorrows”. I’ve kept this in my dresser now for 10 years. When I open my drawer, that piece of paper reminds me to find beauty in each day.
Now I may have to print your post and put it alongside my friend’s list. For you have reminded me too there’s beauty to behold and also to gift to others within my own ephemerality and that is enough.
I belong to a 12 step program in which I have heard many people speak of having “the disease of ‘more’.” That’s somewhat reflected in what you wrote, “There is always more to do, more to want, more to bring to fruition.” The quest for “more” often removes me from “now” which is a freeing way to live that is only a breath away.
Thank you for so beautifully putting life — and specifically this time of life — into perspective. What a joy to read. I am filled with affirmation and inspiration.
Wonderful piece, Barbara! I saw your live presentation a few years back at January Adventure. Recently subscribed. I also read Garrison Keillor every day. Wonderful stuff, too. He's up north, you're down south. Diversity! I was born in Detroit, carpetbagged to the south, and grew up in a Mississippi town of 1,637 people. Eric Weill
"Once you understand the meaning of the universe, wearing stripes with plaid comes easily."
Thank you Barbara. Think you have captured the wonder of the ordinary; water (our lives) flowing over and around the seemingly immutable events of current history. I feel refreshed and relieved as I revisit that picture of the river (and the dog) in my mind and relizing that it is change that is immutable.
Your writing is so honest and authentic...yet, filled with the wisdom of the mystic. You see the small moments within the big picture...and earth intersects with heaven.
In conversation somewhere yesterday I heard the same line your post starts out with—The days are long, but the years fly by.
The experiences you described are so very relatable to me.
I chuckled when I read ‘when I take the vitamins in the little box marked “Friday,” I’ll look at the empty boxes behind it and wonder where the week went.’ Happens frequently.
I’m turning 72 tomorrow and I seem to be obsessed with time lately and how to spend it most productively. I guess that’s because I don’t have the luxury of the long future I thought I had when I was younger. Thank you for reminding me to take a break from my unrealistic schedule and enjoy the many small miracles around me. Blessings! 💕
Happy Birthday tomorrow. We share the same day which has always provided a small celebration mid winter!
Happy birthday to you both!
“I am the water not the stone.” Yes, thank you for this reminder not to lose heart.
What a beautiful piece and just what I needed to hear this morning. When all the world seems to be full of chaos and unpredictability right now, the river continues to flow and there is beauty to be found each day. There’s so much I cannot change but I can share kindness and joy and love to those who need it most.
Thank you for this reminder “My job is to find my place in the great procession, rising and whirling like those who have gone before me for the little bit of time I have. My part is not to lose heart.” We are part of a long history of people who have suffered yet loved & lived.
A co-worker who was also a great friend passed away from cancer. I was tasked with cleaning out her desk. Among the pencils, pens and notebooks, I found a small piece of paper. On it was listed her grocery store list: dog food, chicken, eggs, bread, brown rice. But beside it was also written “more yesterdays than tomorrows”. I’ve kept this in my dresser now for 10 years. When I open my drawer, that piece of paper reminds me to find beauty in each day.
Now I may have to print your post and put it alongside my friend’s list. For you have reminded me too there’s beauty to behold and also to gift to others within my own ephemerality and that is enough.
That's so beautiful
Thank you 😊
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished - Lao Tzu.
If only we lived as if we believed this!
I belong to a 12 step program in which I have heard many people speak of having “the disease of ‘more’.” That’s somewhat reflected in what you wrote, “There is always more to do, more to want, more to bring to fruition.” The quest for “more” often removes me from “now” which is a freeing way to live that is only a breath away.
“Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce.
I needed this today after reading a long article about the destruction of our democracy. Thank you.
Thank you for so beautifully putting life — and specifically this time of life — into perspective. What a joy to read. I am filled with affirmation and inspiration.
We are just old friends who have never met. Thank you for so often meeting me as I struggle on the “dirt floor basement of my heart.”
What a perfect piece of writing to start off a 24 hour spiritual retreat with 5 women! Thank you for sharing your incredible gift of writing with us.
Wonderful piece, Barbara! I saw your live presentation a few years back at January Adventure. Recently subscribed. I also read Garrison Keillor every day. Wonderful stuff, too. He's up north, you're down south. Diversity! I was born in Detroit, carpetbagged to the south, and grew up in a Mississippi town of 1,637 people. Eric Weill
"Once you understand the meaning of the universe, wearing stripes with plaid comes easily."
- Albert Einstein
Thank you Barbara. Think you have captured the wonder of the ordinary; water (our lives) flowing over and around the seemingly immutable events of current history. I feel refreshed and relieved as I revisit that picture of the river (and the dog) in my mind and relizing that it is change that is immutable.
The dog 🐶 caught my eye, as well.
So glad to have found your Substack, to go with your books on my shelf!
Your writing is so honest and authentic...yet, filled with the wisdom of the mystic. You see the small moments within the big picture...and earth intersects with heaven.
In conversation somewhere yesterday I heard the same line your post starts out with—The days are long, but the years fly by.
The experiences you described are so very relatable to me.
I chuckled when I read ‘when I take the vitamins in the little box marked “Friday,” I’ll look at the empty boxes behind it and wonder where the week went.’ Happens frequently.
Time truly is a mystery.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. ❤️