Faith is the ability to honor stillness at some moments, and at others to ride the passion and exuberance.
—Alan Lightman
For me it has nothing to do with faith. The ability to have a balance between stillness and riding the passion and exuberance is heaven itself. Is it any wonder that some people love retirement?
November 20, 2014
Fair enough. Just replace the first word with “Joyful living”.
I agree, for me joyful living works better than faith.
Oops I missed the mark. CheerfulMonk likes stillness, which will make my remarks really silly.
I’ll put on glasses next time. 🙂
agree with rummy.
i like those words anyway … joyful living. i like it better than ‘happiness.’
i think faith is the ability or the proclivity to believe in something or about someone without visible proof of whatever it is you’re believing in or seeing!
and … not necessarily religious nor all secular really …
just personal belief in that which you can’t prove.
but… i could be wrong! 😀
maybe he means he has faith that the exuberant times will always return after the stillness? i don’t know. i actually like stillness more than exuberance. LOL.
Joy is one of my favorite words. I value stillness, but I’m not about to give up my exuberance.
Silliness happens. You don’t plan a balance. Some get silly & others are never silly. They have no child left.
You can’t plan a balance, but it’s powerful when it happens.
I disagree. People that are unable to be silly can’t plan a balance. There’s nothing to balance.
Silliness happens. It’s spontaneous. Some get silly & others are never silly. They have no child left.
Take “plan” out of my comment. They can’t HAVE a balance. There’s nothing there to balance.
This is too abstract -if that’s the word. Too impersonal. Give us something personal about what you do that makes YOUR life joyful.
Glad you asked that question! Obviously it’s a long list, but oddly enough one of the first things that comes to mind is noticing when chores feel tedious and figuring out an easier/more enjoyable way to do them. “How can I get this done and enjoy the process?” I love setting up problems and figuring out solutions, learning new things, being curious. I also love bouncing on my trampoline or using my NordicTrack and watching TV programs (on DVDs or streaming) that have interesting stories and characters I get attached to. I sometimes enjoy movies, but I like to get to know the characters over a longer period of time. I mean, how could you possibly understand Gibbs, Abby, Tony, etc, (NCIS, Cynthia, if you haven’t watched it) in the span of a movie?
I love the way the morning light comes through our living room window this time of year. I’ve even switched my going-to-bed time so I can be up to see it. I also like laughing with Andy, and being silly with him. I love it when the apartment is uncluttered, and am enjoying puttering around getting there again. I’m with tammy — I love RAIN! And being able to get enough sleep after all those years of insomnia. I’m not much of a foodie, but I do love fresh fruit, especially watermelon in the summer. I love our new Smith’s Marketplace because it’s so spacious — I get to stretch my legs and they don’t pipe in music. I used to love to go grocery shopping with my mother, and it’s become fun again.
what gives me joy…
i know you were talking to monk… but i’m butting in! i like what you say about silly.
it’s true. it’s never planned. it’s like a fountain that pops up and comes out with fresh water! at least for me.
joy giving things… frasier reruns in the morning with my coffee. always… RAIN.
hearing kids belly laugh. loving on dogs… even ones i don’t know. the way my hair feels after a shower… knowing i don’t have to FIX it any certain way…
the way i feel when my head touches the pillow and i’m tired and i know i can wake up whenever i want to! those are only just a few joy bringers. too many for here to list.
and you? and monk?
isn’t it fun though!
My joy is friends here tho’ many have left town, my grownup “kids” & their children, my brother & sister & their emails, Facebook, high-definition colorful TV programs, scientific lectures, walking around the county’s grassy area across the street & the neighborhood, seeing old neighbors & especially the young, funny new next door neighbor, walking at our cabin, eating Tom’s meals which are always good–he’s the cook, occasional meals & shopping in Santa Fe…
About Silly—Monk said she liked Stillness. I should have put on reading glasses. 😀
Stillness- Silliness They look alike to a senior without reading glasses. Sorry 😀
I love being silly too. When things get too serious I tell Andy I need a bit of levity. A lot of people think that’s immature. That’s one reason I love the Dalai Lama — he giggles.
I love being silly too. When things get too serious I tell Andy I need a bit of levity. A lot of people think that’s immature. That’s one reason I love the Dalai Lama — he giggles.
Another mood lightener I use every day — looking at my favorite dog websites. Especially The Thundering Herd, with the 6 Siberian Huskies and Hu-dad with the great sense of humor. And how about this one from the Gospel of Goose.
And, of course, blogging and sharing the adventure of life via the internet.
Then there’s that little word that always brings me joy, “Yay!”
More dog sites I check every day — Also Romping & Rolling in the Rockies (KB’s site) and Angus’s.