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Instructions for Living a Life

17/1/2017

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Mary Oliver’s poems are imbued with the mystery and wonder of nature.  They stem from her close and deep attention to the marvels she observes on her daily meditative walks in nature.   Mary Oliver’s poetry and this wee snippet above remind me of school field trips to the rocky shore, when I was principal of Matahui School, where learning outside the classroom, and learning from nature, are central.

The very first activity for each child was to choose a comfortable position, somewhere on their own beside a rock pool, and they were to simply sit there – very quietly - very still - and they were to do nothing but observe their pool.

For five full minutes. 

Which is a long time for a child to sit without moving or saying a word.  In fact we would practise this at school beforehand in preparation for the outing.

For this was the key to unlocking the magic and wonder of the rocky shore for the children; for them to gain the most learning from the experience.  As the observers sat there, as still and quiet as the rocks themselves, the sea life within each pool would decide that it was now safe for them to resume their daily business, and the pools would proceed to come to life.   Myriads of sea life, normally unseen when people are clambering about on the rocks, would begin to move about in their own particular way, doing their own particular thing, for their own particular purpose.  All shapes and sizes, some very tiny and easy to miss without paying close attention.  

And there was so much else to notice within the rock pool - the intricate structures of the plant life, the details and colours of the rocks and shells.  It was enthralling to watch, and once the show began, it was suddenly easier to simply sit and observe.  It was a lesson in paying attention and mindfulness, and this was years before mindfulness became the catchphrase it is today.

The children learned so much more from this activity than the adaptive features of plants and animals.  They also learned about the wonder and beauty of nature, the interdependence of the rock pool community with each other and their shared environment, and how important it is that we treat these  rock pool ‘homes’ and their inhabitants with deep care and respect.   

All very important universal understandings that apply on so many levels in the wider world beyond the rocky shore.

And so back to Mary Oliver, and her gift of observing and learning from nature and beautifully capturing and sharing important universal truths, as she does in her poem Invitation:
​
Invitation
 
Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
 
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
 
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
 
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air
 
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
 
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude--
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
 
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,
 
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
 
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.
  

Mary Oliver
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On the Threshold of a New Year

6/12/2016

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In a few weeks another year will become part of history.  A reminder that there is no stopping time.  It’s a constant slipping by.

I try to keep time as a backdrop to my life.  I don't always succeed though.

In our busyness, it’s so easy to let time take over and become the focus.  That’s when life can become a race - a challenge - and our task becomes to beat the clock and cram in as much as possible.  We can become impatient, wanting To Do lists to be ticked off and results to be achieved.

The approach of a new year offers a good opportunity to take some quiet time to reflect on the unfolding journey of the past year and new possibilities that may be emerging.
​

Joyce Rupp’s insightful poem offers perfect food for reflection as we stand at the threshold of a new year.
When the time is ripe

When the time is ripe,
the vision will come.
when the heart is ready,
the fruit will appear,
when the soul is mature,
the harvest will happen.

not to worry
about all the unspoken,
the unnamed, the undelivered.
not to hurry
the sprouts out of seeds,
the weeds out of garden.

let it all grow.
wait for the ripening.

yearn for the yielding
if you must,
but be patient,
trust the process.

talk to the restlessness,
sit with confusion,
dance with the paradoxes,
and sip tea
with the angel of life.
​
smile while you wait,
empty basket in hand,
all too eager
to snatch the produce
of your spiritual path.
​
– Joyce Rupp
​I offer some questions as a guide for your reflections.  Or you may wish to go in other directions the poem takes you.
 
  • What hopes, dreams and visions have you carried with you?
  • What seeds have you planted?
  • What has come to fruition?
  • What joys and challenges have you experienced?
  • Where do you need more patience in your life?
  • What do you wish to carry forward?
  • What do you choose to let go of?
 
Meanwhile I’m sending out warm wishes for a restful and renewing holiday break, for happy times with loved ones, doing the things that sustain you and bring joy to your life.  
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Time Out

3/11/2016

3 Comments

 
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I've been thinking a lot about Time lately - how no one seems to have enough of it, and everyone bemoans the lack of it.  Yet today, being busy seems to have become a social badge of achievement.   We like to tell each other how busy we are. 

What worries me is that when we get too caught up in the surface everyday whirl of our lives, we risk losing deeper connections - important connections - vital even - connection with Self; with others; with nature; connection with the wonder and mystery that life holds.

I believe that many of the personal, social, economic and environmental problems we face across our world today stem from the loss of one or more of these vital connections. Finding the solutions will begin with re-discovering connection.

My blog post today has turned into a poem of sorts.....
Time Out
When did life become a race? 
A race to first up the ladder,
to become the best, the busiest,
to acquire and do the most.
 
When did time become a scarcity?
A thing to be saved and guarded
and meagerly doled out  
into the timetable that is our life.
 
When did leisure time stop being leisurely? 
When did we start cramming our moments
for fun, for friends and family,
into schedules with too few gaps?
 
When did we forget how to wait?
To want everything the world offers and Now.
 
When did we forget that it takes time,
generous time,
to create, to achieve, to connect
to do good things that are truly worth doing.
 
When did exhaustion, overwhelm and burnout become everyday words?
 
And when is someone going to call Time Out?
 
Time for stillness, for rest, for open space,
time for taking stock of our lives
what we’re doing
where we’re going
the things that truly matter to each of us
on our journeys.
 
​
Mennie Scapens
3 Comments

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    Mennie Scapens

    Mennie designs and leads leadership development programs, teacher renewal retreats, and programs for personal and professional development.  She is passionate about helping people uncover and grow their unique talents and dreams, and discovering personal pathways to living and leading authentic lives.  

    She is a facilitator prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal. 

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Mennie Scapens M.Ed
Courage & Renewal Facilitator
Phone +64 27 686 7449
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