Lessons from a bamboo patch-- pictures and reflections

I want to share a story with you.  A story about bamboo.

I was walking down a road and noticed a patch of bamboo.  It was a large patch.  As I approached the patch, I wondered if there was a way in and begin to look for one.  From where I was at the moment, I saw two skinny and tall bamboo stalks beckoning.  I wondered if the space was wide enough for my frame and decided to test it.  I went to it, wiggled through it, and kept wiggling my way into the bamboo.  My backpack snagged on a stalk or two, but I was able to get in.  I didn't see a direct path, but made and found a way.

Once inside the thick cover, I could no longer feel the misty rain that had begun shortly before I entered. I was protected from the rain and fully engulfed by bamboo.  As I looked around at my surroundings, I noticed it wasn't all dark. There was a clearing over to the side.  In fact, there was a huge open space inside that had been cleared out.  There was a square rock next to the edge of the clearing and beside more bamboo. It felt like a bamboo cave.

Where at first it had felt tight and difficult to get around, there was now more than enough space to move around.

I approached the rock and noticed a small space in the rock that had gathered water.  It was elongated.  If one were to use their imagination, one might stretch the space in the rock to say it was heart-shaped.  I did.  I touched the water inside the heart shape, touched it to my forehead, and remembered my baptism.  I asked God to renew my soul and make me whole.

As I looked around from the rock, I noticed that there were two exits (or entrances) to the bamboo patch that were now visible from this perspective.  I hadn't been able to see them from where I had originally been.  But now, in this wide open space, my perspective was different.

There was so much bamboo.  Thick and thin bamboo. As I looked up, all I could see was a bamboo covering.  As I looked around, I noticed the different bamboo around, even the dead bamboo that had been cut to make space for the inside.

Seeing the bamboo made me want to play music (a gift I really don't have).  I picked up a broken piece of bamboo off the ground and "played" it on the bamboo reeds.  I wish I had brought my native American flute as well.  My thought was that I could have spent some time praying it inside that space.

After some reflection, looking around, and soaking it all in, I went out one of the two exits. There was a bench right outside across the road. From that perspective, the opening was very clear.

As I walked around the bamboo patch to the other opening I had noticed inside, it was also evident from the outside.  But one had to be at that place to see it.  Where I had been when I entered, that opening wasn't evident.

I learned a few things from my time with and in the bamboo.

I learned that even though the way in might be difficult and tight, it doesn't mean that the entire journey will be that way.  There can be spaces of grace that open up inside.

I learned that even though there don't seem to be additional ways in or out of something, that once you get into it, you are more likely to find a way out.

I was reminded inside to allow creation to speak from its being.  As the wind blew the bamboo, I thought of native American flutes made of bamboo.  I thought of the bamboo we cut down on a mission trip in Jamaica to use for construction and water bottles.

I was reminded that in order to have open space, sometimes we need to clear out even good things in our lives.  The bamboo that had been cut down and cleared away wasn't bad, but it needed to be pruned away to make that space.

I was reminded that open spaces make room for us-- to think, to dream, to vision, to pray, to play, to be.... I need open spaces in my life-- those places that allow my heart, mind, and soul to expand.  I may have to enter through a tight place to get there, but oh, it is worth getting there.

I was reminded that God does restore my soul as I seek time with my Creator, time to listen, time to be.

There may have been more lessons from the bamboo.  I left that bamboo patch and headed back down the road with a smile on my face and peace in my heart, mind, and soul.

I knew that the space that had been closed up tight for a while was now opened up again.

Who knew I would look back on that experience and say that I was blessed by bamboo?!?!  I believe that Creator God knew.

What lessons have you learned recently?  What stories do you have to share?  How is your journey?

Peace and blessings on your journey,

Debra

Inner Balance with Heart Math

This past summer while at the board retreat for FUMSDRL/HOF (Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders/Hearts on Fire), one of the other board members introduced me to Heart Math and the Inner Balance tool.  (Thanks, Jan!)

That was the first time I had heard of this incredible resource that can bring down your stress by helping you align your breathing and heart rate.  It's more in-depth than that, but that's my simple version of it.

Jan opened up the application for me, showed me what the tools looked like, I put the blue tooth attachment on my ear, and I started breathing with the breath pacer.  In and out, to the rhythm.  As I got into rhythm and coherence, the color would change.  Red signifies out of coherence.  Blue is getting there.  Green is in coherence.

The achievement level of coherence depends on the challenge level (1-4), with the lowest level having an easier achievement scale.

There are a few options to choose from as you focus on your heart and your breathing: from an in and out disk, to an up and down wave, to a picture you upload, to watching the statistic page.  I uploaded a picture of the waves at the beach from that board meeting and often use it, though I default to the disk bellowing in and out too.

After our board retreat, I ordered my Inner Balance from Jan and started using it. Though I don't always get in the recommended three sessions a day, I find that my time with it does help me focus and relax.

I have been using this resource since September now.  I am almost to my 100th entry.  I started out on level 1, switched to level 2, and promptly switched back to level 1.  The recommendation is to go up a level when you reach 80-90 percent coherence.  After a time period back on level 1, I switched back up to level 2 and have been here for a substantial amount of time, with no plans to move to level 3 in the near future.  I can't seem to get as high of coherence levels yet, but I still have positive sessions.

Much like walking, centering prayer, journaling, or any other practice, for me it's the long term effect that matters most.  It's a marathon; not a sprint.

My longest session sitting at home was a little over 23 minutes.  In that time, my coherence averaged 3.8 and the achievement was 1014.  My highest coherence average so far has been 4.2  I am not a trained person with Heart Math, so the numbers don't really mean a whole lot for me.

One thing I do notice is that when I'm in high coherence, I (at times) experience a tingling sensation in the frontal section on the left side of my brain.  I don't really know what this means either, though I did research it a little bit.

If you've heard of Heart Math and/or have used Inner Balance or one of the other assessment tools (emWave Pro Plus, for example), share your experience.

As I get the opportunity and time, I read up on the Heart Math website about heart rate variability (HRV), coherence levels, and the benefit of breathing and focusing on the heart.

Here are a few screen shots:

Here are some links to check out for further information:

Heart Math (main page)
Heart Math Institute (not really sure what the difference here is between this .org and the .com above)
A review on Inner Balance from Tech Hive
Inner Balance Android App

Now that I've shared this with you, it's time for me to take some time and do a session.

It has become part of my journey.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Backpacking with Jesus-- a good read

I picked up a book a few years ago that caught my attention. I can't remember if I found it on a shelf or if I found it on Amazon and added it to my cart.  It has been in my stack and then on my shelf. I started reading it yesterday and finished it today.

You could say that I began a book last year and finally finished it this year. :)

Backpacking with Jesus by Stephen D. Dean, Sr. is about one man's travels along the Appalachian Trail.  On the front cover you see mountains in the background and this quote: "It's not Always about the Hike, But more about the Journey"

I have always wanted to hike the AT.  I have hiked portions of it and I hope to hike more portions of it.  I have backpacked some in the past, but it has been a while.  Whether or not I will ever be able to hike and backpack portions of the AT is something we'll see about down the road.

Meanwhile, I can read about other people's adventures.  In addition to being a thru-hiker, it turns out that Stephen D. Dean became a local pastor in the United Methodist Church in Maine.  His story of hiking and sharing his faith caught my attention.

The book consists of journal entries and reflections from the author as he put the book together.  It is interesting to read his accounts of his journey.

I am very familiar with the starting point in Georgia as that was a camping place for my dad and his friends during Thanksgiving for hunting season.  To see Dad, we would go up there and visit and hike around some.  My brothers got to go on the hunting trips.  One year my ex and I tent camped up there and did some hiking.  One wears orange on the AT in that area during hunting season.

I've also been to the welcome center where the hikers check in.  We stayed at that park as a family a few years back and did some hiking there.  I've hiked other portions in GA, TN, and NC.  Though I lived in NY and traveled around New England and Maine, I don't remember if I hiked any of the northern portion of the trail.

Besides the hiking accounts of the AT and insights into the trail and the journey, Stephen Dean shared about the people he met and the adventures he shared along the way.  Hearing about the nudge he had to take the journey in the first place and the nudge he had to enter pastoral ministry, along with encounters and conversations with people on the trail were insightful and encouraging.

He wrote about trail magic and how encouraging that was. I have enjoyed being able to leave trail magic at a coffee shop in Franklin, NC. I have also thought it would be neat to be part of a ministry to hikers on the AT in some way, whether it was trail magic, offering a place to stay, offering a ride, or something.  Maybe that will open up one day.

Or, as the Cumberland Trail becomes a thru-hike, maybe a similar aspect of trail hospitality can be lived out in this area?!?!

A quote from the book that spoke to me about listening to the silence and finding peace in knowing God:

"It doesn't need to be a foggy mountainside in Georgia for everyone has the opportunity of finding their own special place or space to spend time with God. His voice is in the silence and lives within each heart that seeks a meaningful relationship with him.  God sent his Son to not only save us but also to love us and Jesus is waiting in the silence with open arms to welcome each of us to that place of serenity and peace." (62)

I find the voice in the silence as I walk in creation, as I sit in silence, as I engage with others in community.

I would like to talk with folks who have been on the physical and spiritual journey of the AT.

I do know someone who has hiked the AT as a thru hiker.  Her trail name is "Spirit".  On her third attempt she was able to make it all the way through.  I haven't talked in detail with her about her experiences, but would like to.  On one of her attempts, they kept a map at the pharmacy of her trip and she later gave us a journal of her experience.  She made have made it twice.  She has also hike the Pacific Crest Trail.  I found a link to her journals here.

Stephen's trail name was "BJ".  If you are interested in hiking, backpacking, the AT, or faith, check out his book.  There are some typographical errors, but don't let those stop you from getting all there is to get from this jewel of a book.

Peace and blessings on your journey,

Debra

Last hike/walk of 2017

Yesterday afternoon we took our last hike/walk of 2017. For a moment, when the sun came out today, I almost went back out for a true last walk in 2017. But upon steppng outside, it was 20 degrees colder than yesterday. I wimped out. (Plus my hip is a tad tired from yesterday.)

We parked on the lower parking area at Craven's house so we could walk in the flat road access. When we parked, we saw several cars and a lone hangglider in the sky. Before I could snap a shot, it had floated out of range behind the trees.

The path we took was part of the Guild-Hardy trail. A few weeks back we were there and started at the top of Craven's House, followinf the trail down and going out the flat part to the right.

Yesterday we wanted to go in that way and see how far it went. We went to the point you could see Sunset Rock above. If we had more time until sunset we could have gone further, but we cut it close.

This path was perfect for me to walk because there are no obstacles and it is flat. Because of that, I chose not to wear my hip brace. Hindsight tells me the brace would still have been a good idea. Today there is some pain. But I have finally been able to get to the point where I can say yes to hip replacement surgery, so that is good. 2018 will bring a new left hip and will hopefully allow me to get 100% back into hiking, walking, motorcycle riding, and other activities that have been limited.

There were several places where the trail went up or down, including rhe section we had been on previously.

A highlight of the hike was seeing a rather large heart rock in the woods. I wonder if it is natural or chiseled. The area was used by CCC work camps as evidenced by remains of Camp Demaray.

Soldiers and Native Americans once lived in thst area too. Whether or not the rock is naturally a heart or somehow fashioned into one, it was incredible to find.

The other thing I found was a "recycle, reuse, reduce" green bracelet under a leaf. I put it on a sign.

We went a little over three miles on the path. We saw a couple of bike riders, a few walkers, some folks with dogs. It was good to be outdoors and to end the year with some outdoor time in creation.

I am looking forward to more outdoor time in 2018.

Peace and blessings on your journey,
Debra

Pictures from yesterday:

The end of Advent 2017

The last two days of the Advent 2017 photo challenge. Christmas is here. Notice that I did not add "and gone". That is because the Christmas season has only just begun. In fact, today is day 2, with Christmas Day having been day 1. We journey now through the Christmas season with the Christ child until Epiphany. At that time, the Magi visit the Christ child, bring him gifts, and celebrate him.

We'll get there, but for today we are at Christmas 1 and I want to finish Advent.

The last two days of the Advent Photo-A-Day Challenge were December 24-- love and December 25-- birth.

Here are the pictures from those days:

December 24-- love

Today's Advent word is love. I am challenged daily to live, love, and lead like Jesus. Love is the key to keep on keeping on when things get tiring, difficult, or for whatever reason we no longer can. Love of God and love of others helps me to continue loving God and others. Love wins. Pictured here is Christmas love. "His banner over me is love." May the love of the Christ child fill you today and everyday. #love #adventphoto #holstongap

December 25-- birth

Today's word is birth. We celebrate the birth of the Christ child. That child grew into an adult who modeled love and respect for others; one that brought hope and healing into this world. I continue to learn much from this child and I desire to live, love, and lead by his example. #birth #adventphoto #holstongap

Here is a compilation picture of all the Advent and Christmas Eve bulletins:

On Advent 4, I was blessed to worship in two congregations that morning, Fort Oglethorpe UMC and Simpson UMC.  That evening I was at Flintstone UMC for the Christmas Eve service, which was a community service this year with four churches participating.  It turned out to be a very special evening and I was blessed to see it unfold.

I woke up on Christmas Day to a glorious sunrise, yet sad news that one of our members had gone to see Jesus.  I was glad she was no longer suffering or in pain, yet I will miss her humor and spunk.

Reflecting back on this Advent season and Christmas, what do you want to take with you into the next 12 days of Christmas and into the new year?  Is there something you've picked up along the way that you can take with you?  Doing the photo a day challenge has helped me stay in the present and that is something I always need.  Mindfulness.  Being intentional.  Being present.  

Going through Advent with others has given me new ideas on how I might add some traditions into my celebrating in the years to come-- life-sized Advent wreaths for the outdoors, Advent rocks, many different ways to do indoor Advent wreaths at home.

(Outdoor Advent wreath and Advent rocks are courtesy of Patrick Hunt.)

Advent has been refreshing and a new beginning to the year.  I am looking forward to these days of Christmas as we move through the Christmas season.  That reminds me. 

One of the more powerful writings around Christmas that comes back every year is Howard Thurman's writing about Christmas.  I have shared it before.  I share it now on Christmas 2, though it is really more appropriate for after Epiphany:

"Now the Work of Christmas Begins"--https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/8598/now-the-work-of-christmas-begins

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.

Blessings on your Christmas season, 

Debra

Advent 2017-- Week 3 (December 17-23) photos and reflections

Today begins the 4th week of Advent, though it's a rather short week with tonight being Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas Day.  This past week of Advent 3 has gone by quickly.  There have been a couple of days where I've posted pictures and reflections the day after due to so much going on.  It hasn't been just the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Advent 4 and Christmas Eve services.  There have been interviews at one of the three churches for a position, home visits, phone calls, shopping for family gifts, some baking and decorating too.  In the midst of it all, I have made some time for quiet, for silence and solitude.  Not a whole lot this week, but some. This past Thursday, on the Longest Night, I went to a local church that was hosting an indoor lit labyrinth for the community.  I had heard about this, but hadn't been before.  It was beautiful inside.  There was peaceful music playing in the background.  It was a pleasant walking and praying experience for me. (You can see two pictures of the indoor labyrinth space on the "community" photo collage, top right and bottom left.)

The full list of days and Advent words:

This past week's Advent words with photos and reflections are below.

December 17--Joy

Today's Advent word is joy. Here are a few things that have brought me joy today: being able to worship in community; watching the light grow brighter as we lit the joy candle today on our journey to the manger; receiving this heart shell from the Outer banks from someone today, holding it, noticing it is a heart on both sides; singing in this afternoon's cantata, "A Great and Mighty Wonder". Joy, deep and abiding, strengthens me.#seeaheartshareaheart #joy #adventphoto #holstongap

December 18-- Grace

Today's Advent word is grace. As I contemplate grace today, I recognize that for me, my faith journey is all about grace. "Grace, grace, God's grace". Grace allows me to live freely. Having received so much grace from God, I desire to extend it to myself and others. "Your grace, O Lord, was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1:14) #grace#adventphoto #holstongap

December 19-- Promise

Yesterday's Advent word was promise. I posted the 20th on the 19th. Oops. Looking at this fog from yesterday morning, you can barely see what is in front of you. When that happens in life, I try to only take the next clear step in front of me, remembering that God is with me. Deuteronomy 31:8--"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." #promise #adventphoto #holstongap

December 20--Light

Today's Advent word is light. A little bit of light brightens a dark space. John 1:5--"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light." (CEB) May light shine in your life today where you need it most. May you be light for someone else. #light #Adventphoto #holstongap

December 21--Community

Yesterday's Advent word was community. Community means many things to me. I am blessed to serve three wonderful communities, to live in a wonderful community, to have communities of folks with whom I gather-- in person and through cyberspace. Last night I was in two different communities on the longest night. It was a time of reflection and silence in both communities, a time to slow down, to breathe. Community reminds me I am not alone. #community #adventphoto #holstongap

December 22--Journey

Yesterday's Advent word was journey. I saw this tire in a parking lot. It caused me to think that someone's journey had been interrupted, that it hadn't gone as planned. Left behind was the evidence of a blown out tire. How many times are there interruptions or blowouts on our journeys? We have to look to plan B or even C? We may need to go in another direction. How do we react when these things happen? Are we open to the deeper journey of growth through all situations? This is what I ask myself. I hope my answer will always be yes. #journey #adventphoto #holstongap

December 23--Mystery

Today's Advent word is mystery. I found this quote by A.C. Benson on mystery: "As I make my slow pilgrimage through the world, a certain sense of beautiful mystery seems to gather and grow."#mystery #adventphoto #holstongap

As the Advent lights continue to grow brighter and the journey to the manger draws near, may the light and love of the Christ child shine in the darkness.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra