MITM - moira in the moment

The Inadequacy of Words: a Writers Frustration

M Gardener — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:14:14 +0000

Words, those illusive labels we put on thoughts are never quite enough at times. It would be better if, like Mr. Spock in the Star Trek series, we could perform a Vulcan mind-meld.

However, we can’t. So we’re stuck with endeavouring to explain what our minds are trying to convey by using words. And with the aid of good grammar, punctuation, and editing the writer struggles to be understood and to understand, to convey meaning, to share deeply or entertain lightly. We paint the pictures for our audience with words; however inadequate they are.

A Fact In a Writers’ Life

M Gardener — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:21:28 +0000

To be a writer one cannot wait for inspiration one must simply write. It is that discipline to sit each day at a set time and place, and put pen to that is at the heart of the work. To sit and simply wait for dame inspiration is ludicrous.

Inspiration rises from our core, true enough; but at some point it must become action and in the case of the writer that action is to write and write and write. There are no short cuts.

-MITM

A Snippet on Patience

M Gardener — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:54:25 +0000

One of those moments at 3AM that was just what was needed -

“Be patient with yourself and others as we are all works in progress.” – MITM

Communication

M Gardener — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:40:42 +0000

Assumption is one route to miscommunication. Clarification is one tool that helps us take another route.

MITM

An Everyday Hero – #1

M Gardener — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:43:59 +0000

She watched a hero go by today. He carried a heavy bag of groceries in one hand and French bread in the other. Following along behind was his aged mother with groceries filling the basket of her walker, which she was slowly pushed along the street. This man found a bench on which they could rest. His patient attentiveness and quiet demeanor were refreshing and encouraging. This quiet gift given to the elderly woman was also absorbed into the life of the observer.

This may not be the world’s image of a hero, but this is a hero none the less. This bit of courage found in the day to day moments of living.

What everyday hero’s do you encounter?

Head Chatter

M Gardener — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:13:06 +0000

She comes back full circle to the practice of mindfulness, that state of cultivating awareness, of simply being in the moment one moment at a time. Today she arose with monkey brain – a head crammed full of thoughts zinging this way and that.

Here is how the head chatter began: “I’m worried about this one and that one, I want to help but can not. Do I stay or go, write or give up. I’m such a dreamer it’s time to get real.” Breathe and have a little faith, go to practice, go to prayer says her calmer side.

Sitting she writes, for she knows if she listens in the stillness, the answers will come; but to get to stillness she must stop. Stop all but the breathing. The head chatter continues, “do not run off willy- nilly. Simply be ready to move, but be still first – listen, know with an inner knowing.” You can not force it says her calmer side.

…Then upon reading a devotional something came, a Daily Bread quote, “If you want to be wise, listen to Jesus.” She wrote on and on.

“Stop all this doing,” shouts her head, “even this act of writing, go to stillness, and listen hanging onto the breath.”

AFTERWARDS

Finally, stillness, and out of the stillness - ”wait patiently, it will come, this answer you seek. Go into the prayer closet and be patient with both yourself and God. Simply be, the answer will come quietly, naturally. It will be a knowing. Until then, patiently abide,” the calm won out in the end.

MITM

A Note on Boundaries

M Gardener — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:10:35 +0000

Boundaries are those flexible fences that keep us safe; when to say yes, when to say no- to ourselves, then others.

MITM

A Note on Peace

M Gardener — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:43:00 +0000

Getting back to MITM roots, which was to ponder and keep it simple.

A NOTE ON PEACE

Peace begins within the individual. Hope for world peace lies within each of us. Only then will it spill out into family, community and beyond.

MITM

Recipe for Burn-Out Stew – Plus Remedy

M Gardener — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:52:31 +0000

Take a cup of fixing and add a cup of pleasing.

Whip with a boundary-less whisk until it starts to froth.

Set it aside to rise with the yeast of anger.

When it is the color of a ripe tomato, the stew is ready for blame and to be all consuming. Heart burn will result.

Remedy for the Heartburn

Drink a large glass of boundaries with a tablespoon of responsibility. The resulting perspective should take the edge off of the heartburn. Add to this some good old-fashion yes’s (at least 3), and it will move you in the right direction. Do something creative and it will speed things along.

Then, sit in a tub of forgiveness and soak until you have forgiven both on the inside and the outside. Towel dry with Christ’s love and you’re set to go.

Footnote: Starting with the remedy first will save you a lot of time and energy MITM

Photo Credit: http://thecookinggeek.com/tomato-soup/

Possibilites and Choices

M Gardener — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:43:39 +0000

I was hiking down the road and noticed all the beer and pop cans that had been discarded. As I often do I began to ponder. “These cans represent possibilities”, I thought.

And what I saw in those discarded cans was choices:

I could be driving by and going too fast miss seeing them. Is my life so busy that I fail to see possibilities, and simply zoom by them?

I could be walking like I am today, see them, but walk on past leaving them there. Do I see possibilities in my life and for whatever reason walk on by?

Or, I can stop, pick them up, and cash them in reaping the benefit. What possibilities do I have come my way that I can pick up and cash in?

Needless to say with all these thoughts running through my mind as I hiked along the winding road, I could stand it no longer, I had to pick up the last two cans to cash in. – MITM (Moira in the moment)

Photo Credit: Edward Chakir http://chicaneculture.com/2010/05/winding-road-11/