Paying Closer Attention Changes Things
What might increase our awareness of what is around us as we go about our daily tasks?
First, I want to thank you all for supporting my time away. I spent the majority of the week camping, off-grid, at Frontenac State Park. It was relaxing and productive. If you are curious about what I was doing there, consider joining Saturday morning Bible Study as we will begin reading a draft of my latest book (which is still in the process of being written).
In addition to writing, I was able to practice some of my new foraging skills. While hiking the trails and searching for the plants I know, I observed more of everything. I saw racoon and beaver, fox and deer, and several kinds of birds and all the usual rodents.
My experiences last week make me wonder what would help us all experience new things among the routine. What might increase our awareness of what is around us as we go about our daily tasks? And what difference would it make?
For me, last week, my increased attentiveness brought a sense of connection and peace. What could bring this kind of thing into our every day?
Having just completed the calendar page for the month of June, I can say that there is a lot going on in the this month. Maybe we can each commit to paying more attention to one thing and see what that changes. Perhaps increasing our attention to the life around us will bring a greater sense of peace, maybe something else.
Please share any of your observations in the comments here.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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It was mentioned a couple of weeks back “Where do you find God” & the story went onto finding nature, quiet places, sacred travels. I so wanted to say Lake Street…as I see a little girl on a push bike most mornings given the freedom to walk her bike to a corner of Lake Street, looking back to see Mom & a sibling then riding back again. Passing a couple souls asking for a handout and only saying back to them “have a blessed day”, not being able to give anything else but a smile. Even praying for the safety of peoples as they drive like maniacs down the road. I’d like to think this God is always around me, even when emotions are a bit tilted and low.
Thanks for sharing this story, Deb.