September Silence

"Morning Mist" - (C) Claudia Gregoire

The good news is that in this noisy, angry, chaotic world, there remain places of solitude and silence; there remain people who value and encourage and invite the rest of us to enter into stillness.  Christine Valters Paintner at the Abbey of the Arts is one such person.  Under her tutelage I am reminded what is important, how to keep my life balanced.  I am supported in my aim to be a "Monk in the World", living out my faith and practicing my art through the Rule of Benedict and its expression in the tenets of the "Monk Manifesto".

In September, we are practicing our commitment to finding moments daily for silence and solitude.  We are expressing this commitment in photography and/or poetry.  Won't you join us?

Take Time

This morning began with a thunderstorm -- the entire banging, crashing, flashing event, complete with a leak in the bathroom's ceiling vent.  Pookie-cat was frightened; I was wound up because Diesel-cat was out in it somewhere (he still hasn't come home).

Then I received this* in my list of blog readings. 

 I sat down.  

I lit a small votive in the grey morning.  

And I listened.

I share this with you so you can, too.  Now, if possible.  I guarantee it will bless your day.

*Thanks to Christine Valters Paintner and friends.