Awakening a Keen Observer

Sunday, January 29, 2006

morning view

early dawn
mild mild winter morning
slight frost makes you think of snow
and wish for rain on the dry thirsty grassland

mist rising from pond's glassy silver surface
like dancers whirling and flying away

pickup in the field feeding the cows
even it seems beautiful in the light
sun re-rises from behind cloud not high
the day, the dawn, the world begins again.

-----
Later a little further down the road.
I saw two cows. One with it's head and neck stretched up high
the other one scratching --oh just right there.
I laughed out-loud.
"over just a little ahhhhh that's it you got it"


God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Friday, January 27, 2006

Connection

Grace and joy
We moved our 'office' around the other day and I was later working in our bedroom and discovered that I was too far from the dsl box to get a good connection, so I walked down the hall holding my computer until it found the signal.
Later I found a little pocket spiral notebook with poems in it from the '60's. That's a long time ago now. I read through some of them and they are very Leonard Cohen-ish. (you people of the '60's will know what that means), kinda self absorbed and reflective and some of them sad when relationships had ended. I don't know if I should keep it as I'm not sure others would understand some of what was written. It was from college time.
How do we stay connected to people who are important in our lives? People who made a difference in our lives who encouraged us and helped us. Then there are the people who picked us up or who laughed with us until tears ran down our faces and we ached with abandon. Then there are the people who taught us lessons. Then there are people who just moved in and out of our lives quickly but left an impression.
I suppose we ought to consider who we are in other's lives. Are we the ones to be remembered? Are we the ones who are lesson teachers? Are we the ones who pick up others without even noticing? Who do we want to be?
Let's think about that as we work together.
God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Brave

Grace and Greetings
We wonder sometimes when we observe something brave, something courageous, where that came from. Where did that person have the courage to...?
Bravery is something we take for granted. Someone will be brave enough to speak up for those who have no voice. Someone will be brave enough to hear the cries of the child. Someone will be brave enough to stand up for justice where injustice has been done. Deep sigh.
You are called to bravery as a member of human-kind. You are called to be part of the world where people stand out and do what is right and kind and sweet. You are called to be part of the people who speak volumes about what we know we should do. You are called to be the ones who do not let lies stand for truth.
Bravery doesn't put you at the front of the battle. Bravery makes a battle never happen. Bravery speaks for hearing, caring, loving and living with those who need to know another way. Bravery brings joy and peace to the deepest heart.
So, go now, be brave and happy.
God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Paper

Grace and Peace,

Hello all. I remember hearing years ago that when computers came out businesses were worried that they would replace paper.
Alas as the years have gone on it is obvious that actually we use more paper than before Computers. I don't have statistics to prove that but I know we use a lot in my house.
What is it that makes us want to have a hard copy? Is it just those of us who were born BC (before computers) as my uncle says. We want something to hold, that we can touch.
I read a book online the other day, a whole book, it is in the public domain so the whole book is online. No I don't have a copy of it in paper but I know where I can find it online. In fact it was quite satisfying.
Many records, banks, doctors, hospitals, insurance, etc all is done in most places without paper. Some meetings are done with everyone plugged in with their computers. Classrooms are like that too. All the students have their own computers and the 'blackboard', is really a computer that moves the notes written to individuals' computers in the class. Things change.
But it seems paper persists.
What stays the same?

Many things change but some things--- we can't see--- have always been part of what the world...
thanks be to God

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Reflections

Grace and peace
We were moving furniture tonight, (it was John's Idea) and I moved a mirror off the wall so we didn't bump it with the desk as we moved it down the hall. (should I tell you that getting it out of the room was like one of those puzzles you manipulate it was really funny and then he figured it out. After we had laughed some about being trapped in the room)
Anyway, I ramble, when I put the mirror back on the wall I started to think about where that mirror had been. It was one my grandmother had, my mom, and now us. It is not that special, went over a bureau but I thought of all the people who had seen their reflection there. Many, countless really, and I wondered if it would reflect longer what people wanted to see.
In Snow White, Disney, there is a mirror that tells who is the fairest. It can't lie.
When we see ourselves in the mirror, whenever we do, what do we see? Do we see someone loved or are we critical of ourselves? We are you know all loved, and whether woman or man, beautiful in the eyes of God.
So, when you look in the mirror next time welcome the one who is loved, always.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Thursday, January 19, 2006

reflection

Grace and Peace
It is said that the work of a prophet is to reflect to the leader or the people to whom they speak an image of who they truly are. This means to me that we sometimes have to use self-reflection to figure that out if there's no prophet in the neighborhood.
Of course self reflection can lead to what we called in the '60' navel gazing. That IS just looking at yourself with no change or interest in change. But what real reflection can do is to give us a pure image of ourselves. Sometimes more pleasant than others, at least that is the way it is for me.
Birthdays, holidays, new years, all call me to a time of such thinking. An evaluation if you will of how I've spent the time I have in the past year. No confession following.
It does however bring me to look at the time ahead, whatever time that is, and do somethings differently. Put aside those things that get in the way of what I feel I was made to do and do what it was I was given the talent and energy and health to do. So off I go.
No, not a leaving kind of off.... but a new beginning.
Each day is that you know. A new beginning. A new time to be and do that which brings your heart to song.
Sarah Guthrie has a great tune, You gotta sing, all the time--find yourself a little song and sing it all day long..
(she is Woody Gutherie's granddaughter).
So happy day, find your song, and sing it for the world in your life.
God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Clear Moonlight

Grace
We are past the full moon for this month but last night that ole moon, kinda yellow in the evening sky rose up as I was driving home. It surprised me over my left shoulder, got there without me seeing it rise. I think it was the winding road and the small hills that hid it until was already up. Of course the moon doesn't wait for my Ok to rise. Ha ha ha

I had ready noted the nearness of the stars and was enjoying them. That's why I probably noticed the moon because the stars became a little more distant. The moon's bright light made it tricky to look beyond it. Ah the moon. I prayed for all the people on whom the moonlight would shine. I thought of family and friends around the world who saw the moon too. So not only are we people in the world related since our feet on the same earth, we see the same sky. We share the sun and the moon and all of this creation.
All too often it seems we apply one one of my college roommates sayings, "what's mine is mine and what yours is mine". We live our lives claiming everything when really this earth and all it is belongs to none of us, AND all of us at the very very very same time.

What can we do to recognize that? How can we stop drawing lines between 'mine' and 'yours'? How do we live our lives as people who breathe peace? Just get to it. There is work to be done. "God created the heaven and the earth" we just take care if it.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

What a day!

Grace and peace,
I've gotten Birthday greetings from all around and it's made a good birthday. Several came via email and they are great. I can play them several times.

I have always thought that birthdays should have more to do with the parents than the one who has made it through another year. Seriously without that first day... I wouldn't be marking a new year. ear Mine were fun and super and I miss 'em both. They were happy folks in most of my memories of them. Apparently I did ok as daughter for them too. Sigh again.
I look at birthdays as a blessing to start a new year. A time to 'take stock' of the last one and figure out how to mark the next one with more giving, of heart and all that I have. I'm working on it.

I guess I should just be glad we don't mark the years in 'dog' years or I'd be 406!

Have a wonderful day
God abides
Bobbie Bane Giltz McGarey
@2006

Monday, January 16, 2006

Awake

Compassion can only come from wisdom, it doesn't come from a sentimental idea, like I should be compassionate. Compassion comes naturally when you know the nature of the world - knowing that you and the other person are one people, one being."
- Robert Thurman Ph.D

"The happiest people that I know are the ones who are in service to others. There is nothing that can make you happier - nothing - no piece of art, no accomplishment, no trick, no candy bar, no ice cream cone - nothing can make you as happy and as fulfilled, as when you are doing for others. And all the neurosis that we have accumulated disappear in a heart beat, the moment you are genuinely engaged in helping other people."
- Dr. Larry Brilliant

I read these two quotes from the Link TV website and a series called "Lunch with Bokara" I liked the way these two individuals stated what the world is about.

Robert Thurman reminds us of how we are linked to one another and Larry Brilliant reminds us what brings true happiness and fulfillment. It is a quote that reminds us that there is 'work to be done" as I say often. We have things to do in the world on behalf of the 'other'. No matter where we are or what we think we are to do. We learn as time passes that whatever we think--it's really not about us. Not about Me. Wow that is freeing. It is freeing to recognize it is about the other.
Compassion is that which turns us in the gut, which comes from the deepest part of ourselves from our truest self.
We don't have to seek it, perhaps we have to learn it, but truly we have to apply it.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Rain? Rain!

Greetings
I was a camp counselor in Western Pennsylvania and we had great weather there in the summers for the most part. But we figured out when we sang what we called the, "the Johnny Appleseed grace" at meals we had rain that night. I'm not sure there was a direct link, or that we just had a lot of rainy nights in the summers there.
Where I live now in SW Oklahoma, USA, we are in the midst of a drought. We are wanting rain. So I feel like I should, Wash my car, sing the Johnny appleseed grace and hope. "O the lord is good to me and so I thank the lord for giving me the things I need the sun and the rain and the appleseed. The Lord is Good to me!"
We claim not to be people who are superstitious but I think we are. We consider luck something each person has, either good or bad. We consider that "WE" make things happen. Oops that means we are in control? I don't THINK so!
So how then do we live our lives? We breathe and we do what we can to plan and carry out those things that are for the good of all. We love our neighbors as ourselves and we love God.
What do you do to bring the rain?
Israel.
Ps 68:9 -
Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; you restored your heritage when it languished;


I hope you all have your 'rain in due season!'

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Super Man and Wonder Woman

Grace and Peace
As we approach Sunday in the USA two images came to mind. Super Man and Wonder Woman characters from the cartoons, at least they are from that genre.
Do we ask of one another that the other be either Super or Wonderful. Do we expect that others will be extra-ordinary? or extraordinary? Do we expect that someone else will do what we ourselves can't do?

Our faith calls out of each of us the 'one' that we were created to be. We were made to use the gifts and talents we are given. We are called to pray for others and help others who need it most. We are called to be the ones who live our lives out of gratefulness for all we've been given and...
first of all
to love one another
to care for and respect each other...
to depend on each other...
and to live our lives in the sure and certain knowledge that what we do is returned to us in fullest measure.
We are to call out of each other the best we can be in every way. Do that this day, and this week, as we move through the new year. Call out of someone you disagree with the best reason they can hold. Call out of someone who seeks harm the good they can do in the world. Call out the truth where there are lies and where there are secrets. Let the will of the One who put us here be done every day through us.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Stress and Art

A friend sent me an article about the test done by some researchers where they tested people's cortesol level before and after viewing beautiful artwork. The good stuff was increased 34% after only 45 minutes. Beauty is healing.
Where do we find the beauty of the world? We find beauty in many places.
In the smile of a friend. In the memory of someone near to us. In the sunrise/sunset. In the laughter of a child un inhibited. In a beautiful bird flying in the sky nearby. In a great-blue heron ( bird) stately walking through the water. In music. In..... fill in the blank with at least three ways beauty comes to you...
1.
2.
3.

I pray you can list 5 times that many ways beauty comes to you.

And enjoy that beauty ....and even more important share that beauty...and you will be the healer you were created to be.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Post Christmas

Grace Friends,

We have a great deal of things that we do before Christmas. We have lists and decorating and we have all the things to do and to accomplish and then we enjoy the holidays and then...
( Oh yes, I did see Valentines in the Grocery store today.)
But there isn't anything we do like we do for Christmas.
We have certain things we do around Easter as faithful folks, still different than Christmas.
What do you think that we should do? How should we work together to make each day the kind of joyful time that Christmas can be? --all the things that we do before Christmas? We do all we can in every way we can.

Let's work on it friends. Let's work on being the kind of people all year that we are at Christmas. I don't me worn out, or harried, or overprogrammed. I mean waiting and kind and hopeful, expecting the best from ourselves and everyone else.
We can do it.. Think of it as planning ahead while we live in the present day.

God abides
Thanks Be to God
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Monday, January 09, 2006

ChickieLollyPop

We have a little bird named ChickieLollyPop. She was one of John's cousins birds. Chickie is a Cockatell. She is really sweet. She loves people and when you come in the house she calls you. When you walk down the hall she calls to you. She is just very sweet.
This evening we've let her fly around while we watch tv. She sits on your shoulder, your head, your arm and she will enjoy what you are doing. She sometimes would sit on John's glasses even while he types sometimes.
These birds have been domesticated for some time. They really don't know how to be 'wild birds' anymore. She will call to the wild birds outside when they are at their feeder. She is a sweet little pet.
Our cat, Minerva knows exactly where Chickie's house is and when she gets in the room where Chickie is she goes right for it, sits there , looks in , while Chickie makes her fluttering of panic. Remember the cartoon ..."I thought I saw a putty cat! I did, I did!" I'm clear this is what Chickie tells us.
I am amazed that she can even know when the cat is coming toward her when her cage is covered. She knows! And starts fluttering. We hear her... And respond by getting Minerva away.

There are things that spook us even when we are safe. We think we hear 'danger' coming and what happens is that we don't see it really, what we experience is the fear of danger. The wonderment of "What -IF?!" And we move into panic and we make decisions not for our good or the good of others.
We ought to fear some things--- or at least respect them. And we ought not put ourselves in danger-way. But we ought to also trust that when we are taking the path that has been given us we will be ok.

Chickie just flew back into the room. I'm going to play with her a little. You have a good day. Be warm and happy!
God abides
And that is good news.
Bobbie Gitlz McGarey
@2006

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Sun shine

Grace and Peace
As I was driving this morning I was enjoying the sky. First it looked like we might get the badly needed rain, alas we didn't. Second, the sun would break through the clouds in certain places and you could see clearly points at a distance where the sun, like a theater spotlight, was illuminating the ground. It was so beautiful...and changing...and amazing to watch. Then suddenly I was driving in one of those sunny spots. It made the darker clouds appear even darker.
I thank my Daddy for making me and observer of life and the world around me. We would go out every Saturday morning together and walk around a favorite pond and look at things and observe all we could.
Once I met someone who was from the northern part of England where they would go for a long time without the sun...I would so miss it. Even in Ohio we would have a series of grey days in the winter. Utah wasn't like that often even when it snowed we would have sunshine. y
Another time I remember flying out of Columbus or Chicago on a really grey rainy day and before long we were above the clouds and it was beautiful. There is always that sunshine...we just sometimes have to get there. Or rest assured that it will return.
Breathe have patience be ready and know that the sunny days will come and the sun will shine and your heart will be light... Or if you have some 'sunshine' to spare give it to someone who is having a 'cloudy cloudy' day.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Pictures

Dear Friends,
I thought you should know I have a lot of pictures. Some were taken of me as a baby, some of my parents as youngsters, some of my grandparents and great grandparents, and some mystery people. Some of the pictures are of cousins, aunts, uncles and various related people..., There is one of my dad standing with a dog named Count. He weas 19 months old.
There are a lot of "someday" that I want to get the pictures all organized. So I get out one or two boxes and begin to sort through them. And you know I don't make it through over one box because I start thinking of the stories that go with the pictures. Have you ever done that?
What will we do with the stories? The stories all of us have about family. Many of them treasures, some of them just regular ones and some of them that are insights in to family dynamics and how all families work. So when I look at the pictures I often 'drag' my family along with me looking and going ohhhh ahhh ohhh ahhh and then I know that I will have passed on a little of the stories. perhaps...

So what are you going to do with your stories? With the ones your family told over Christmas? Or the ones that you have packed away attached to pictures? Stories that could so simply teach someone else that they are ok and as normal as anyone.

give it a try...
Remember when....

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Friday, January 06, 2006

epiphany

The Merriam Webster Dictionary gives the following definitions of Epiphany
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -niece
Etymology: Middle English epiphanie, from Middle French, from Late Latin epiphania, from Late Greek, plural, probably alteration of Greek epiphaneia appearance, manifestation, from epiphainein to manifest, from epi- + phainein to show -- more at FANCY
1 capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ
2 : an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being
3 a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery b : a revealing scene or moment

We use the term in many ways. In the 'world' and epiphany has become an "Ah Ha!" Moment. Now I get it. And so this iis what this word means in the world. In the Church, you can note above, the word means a specific time, the coming of the Magi, Kings, and perhaps the baptism of Jesus. An appearance of a divine being.
But so often these days we take nouns and turn them into verbs.
Epiphanize? I just made that Up. But that is what we do some times in our lives. We suddenly recognize in our lives, in our world, the presence of God, as real as a babe in a manger or someone coming for baptism, the sense of the "holy" being so present to us that we understand. All the questions we carry we lose, not because they are not important, (though they may be), but because we have the sense of standing on Holy Ground in the presence of ....

Have you ever felt that sense of Holy Ground? So special that you want to remove your shoes in honor? There are places I've visited that make me feel that way, Rock Stalls, Vesper Hill, Arches National Park, are just three I think of immediately, There are others much closer to home now. Some time or place when you felt the presence of God.

One of our members in Utah had a daughter on Epiphany, she named her Hope.

What are you going to do this year to open yourself to the sense of the Holy...O ready yourself to stand on holy ground?
Trust me it can surprise you. And in part that is just what an epiphany does. You don't plan for them. They happen, perhaps more than we know or recognize. ALERT...Be ready...
God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Monday, January 02, 2006

Campaign Slogan

In the '60's when I was in High School in Columbus, Ohio, one of my friends was running for his class presidency in another school. We had met at camp as Junior Counselors, you know that kind of time when you get to know people on a real deep level and then when you get back to the 'real' world you put on the masks you had before left at the gate of the camp. Well think is name was Feldon. He came to the Youth Group one time, and not being one of 'the In" crowd didn't know if he had a chance to really win. They had people printing posters for them through their parent's companies, they were giving away treats to the other students with their names on them.
Feldon made five signs or so and put them up in the hallways. They said, God is Love, Vote for ...
Everyone thought it was kind of a joke but I seem to remember that when it came time for the 'speeches' he said, I just want you to know that I believe what I wrote on those signs. I think if we treat one another more kindly we will all be happier and it will be a great school. He said let's think about that in the last 6 minutes of the time I have allotted. He sat down with a big smile on his face.
What about that remains with you? it remains to be seen if in fact that is true. I think it is. His speech really touches the whole world we live in even now...some time later... if we were to treat one another kindly we will all be happier. What would that look like in your life? or in your world? or where you live? or where you work? or where you shop? or in your church? or....____________ ? (fill in the blank)

Well it's still the new year season. In the church we wait for the Epiphany, when the Kings come...
and maybe if we think of Feldon we'll all feel better and more kindly, and the whole word will be happier.
Really! You can do this! Not a word that isn't kindly.

God abide
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006

Post script He won

Sunday, January 01, 2006

2006

Grace and Peace
My how time flies when you are having a good. time!
Ok ok, it is another windy windy day

here in Oklahoma. The gusts are to be up to 45 mph some times. The sky is filled with dust and it is an odd color to everything. It just fills the air.
I can only imagine what Oklahoma was like during the dust bowl era. How this part of the country had to come back after having it so dry and the air filled with massive dust storms. I have seen two dust storms when we lived in Phoenix. It was when John's home had a roof that you could go up on via stairs in the front. We heard this storm was coming and we went up on the roof it was an amazing wall of sand and dust. We caught a glimpse of it and hustled back inside to make sure all the windows were latched. No matter what we did the dust got into their older adobe home. It was scary as it got very dark.
Today, January 1 it is much milder. The dust is dispersed in the sky and the leaves that were left on the tress are running across our lawn.

So when the winds come, and wherever you are they will come. Let's think of them as the winds of the Spirit. Knowing that they will blow pure and clear soon and that all will be revealed. Thanks be to the Creator.

May your new year be blessed with all good/God things.
God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey