Tag: resilience

Amplify our Strengths!

The author reflects on how the clash of waves symbolizes current societal clashes of opinions. The message emphasizes understanding and respect amidst disagreements, urging individuals to treat each other humanely and work towards amplifying common strengths rather than allowing differences to divide.

When I was in college, my family took a vacation to Lake Powell in southern Utah.  Lake Powell is a big, beautiful lake with many canyons.  One afternoon, my older brother and I took the boat for a ride.  Amidst the boats on Lake Powell that Memorial Day weekend, we were in a relatively small boat.  The larger the boats, combined with the canyon walls to make some pretty big waves.  When you get near the canyon walls, the waves can seem to come from all directions.  That day, we were caught when a wave from a large boat rebounded off a canyon wall, met with another wave heading the opposite direction.

When two waves meet, the size of the waves can be magnified into one large wave, or they can cancel each other out.

In our case, the waves came together to create one large wave right off the bow of our boat.  The wave came over the bow and flooded the boat. For a split second, I thought for sure that we were going to sink.  Fortunately, the next wave lifted the bow of the boat, and the water ran right out the back.  We remained afloat.  

I see the waves of our societal differences coming together in the same way these days.  We hold differing opinions, opinions that can clash at times.  The waves can seem pretty big and coming from all directions.  When these differing views come together, a huge wave is generated.  The question is, will we let these waves sink us, or will we learn from them and move past them.   Will we amplify our differences or will be amplify our common strengths.

We don’t need to agree on everything.  We don’t need to even like each other.  But we must treat everyone as human beings.  When the two waves of differing opinions come together, let’s create from that an even bigger wave of understanding.  It doesn’t have to be agreement, but if we strive to at least understand each other, maybe, just maybe, we can come together peacefully to resolve our differences.

I think of the greatest commandment, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and strength.  But next in importance is to love our neighbors as ourselves.  If I want to be heard and respected, I can NOT disrespect others and shout them down.  If I am not willing to listen, I should not talk. 

It is OK to disagree. We are individuals, but we are all also humans.  Let’s remember that and treat each other as members of the community of humanity.  Let’s amplify the strengths of humanity even as we work through our differences.

A Hopeful Time of Year!

May is a hopeful time of year as we start to plant our gardens in Southern Minnesota. Planting represents hope for a positive future. The act reflects a commitment to nurture growth, fostering qualities like kindness and love for a better world.

At work today, the hot topic was planting gardens. No, I do not work in a garden center, but I do work with many people that enjoy the possibilities that spring planting brings. In Southern Minnesota, Mother’s Day is the magic day that we wait for (May 11th this year). After Mother’s Day, it is safe (supposedly) to plant our gardens. Side note: This is also the same weekend as the MN Walleye opener (May 10th). I choose planting – the Walleye can wait!

Planting is an act of Hope. Hope is the desire that something good is going to come in the future. Hope is that belief that the effort you are putting in now is going to pay off in the way you want some time in the future. Hope is an acknowledgement that you are looking forward to a future that is different from today.

When you plant, you hold in your hand the tiniest of seeds. You place it in the ground and gently cover it with dirt. Maybe you’re like me and you return each day to see if anything is sprouting yet, hoping for something that looks like what you planted and not another weed. You watch the rainfall, making sure that the little seed is getting enough water. You keep an eye on the critters, making sure they aren’t digging in your garden. You do what you can to protect and nurture that little seed, hoping all along that at some point a little sprout will pop through the dirt.

My experience is that about 50% of the vegetable plants that I start from seed successfully make it to harvest. Some vegetables do much better than others, and a lot of it depends on what the deer eat! But every year I enter this season with the same hope of creating something beautiful in my garden. It is a hopeful time of year!

Let is be a hopeful time of year for you too! Start planting seeds right now. Seeds can grow more than plants. Sow seeds of courage, generosity, kindness, love. And live in the hope that we can make this world better each day!

Spring – A Time for Renewal

The arrival of spring brings a sense of renewal, as nature awakens from winter. Birdsong returns, and life reemerges with flourishing greenery and active wildlife. This season inspires a mood of optimism, reflecting on the cyclical nature of life.

Earlier this week, as I was practicing yoga, I heard something beautiful. It was early in the morning; the sun was just peeking over the horizon. I almost couldn’t believe my ears.  Bird song!  Their back!  Spring has arrived!

April is the month of rebirth in the northern states.  When April showers arrive, they wash away the sand and salt from the roads and sidewalks.  The earth begins to thaw. Showers and warming temperatures signal to the grass and trees to start their journey back from their winter slumber.  New growth begins to show through the mulch and leaves on the flower beds.  Animals that have been sleeping through the winter begin to emerge.

My mood cheers as I see these events taking place.  I find myself wandering through my yard seeking out the signs of renewed life.  I actually look forward to spring cleaning, both outside and inside. It is time to shake off the winter and feel the freshness of spring.

This season reminds me of one of my favorite bible passages:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

    a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,

    a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

    a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

    a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

    a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

May the rebirth of spring refresh you in body, mind, and spirit.

Buried Rocks, Beautiful Potential

Just as hidden rocks hinder plant growth, buried past struggles can affect our lives. Embracing and transforming these challenges can lead to growth, empathy, and the ability to uplift others, ultimately creating a beautiful foundation.

Remember that flower bed I wrote about in my first post? I mentioned that the soil was hard and rocky. That was a bit of an understatement. This flower bed has layers of rocks laid down by previous owners as they made improvements over the years. One owner covering up the landscape left by the previous one. Digging in this soil is nearly impossible, every plunge of the shovel hits – you guessed it – rocks.

When we bought this home, that flower bed was covered with a spreading evergreen bush. It was nice looking, and there was no way of knowing that all of these rocks were hiding under it before we pulled the bush out. Now, I keep trying to plant flowers and bushes into that rocky soil. I shouldn’t be surprised that they aren’t growing well or achieving their full beautiful potential.

We are the same. Everyone has a past and many of us have rocks that we try to bury in the dirt and plant over as we keep trudging forward. Eventually, though, even as we are trying to plant something new, the rocks in the soil prevent it from really taking root. Discouragement sets in.

But rocks can also be turned into something positive. They can be used to create foundations and build up something beautiful. Rocks can become homes and provide shelter. Rocks can become beautiful walls in the landscape. They can become a work of art.

Looks at the rocks from your past, instead of trying to cover them up, maybe even layering rocks on top of rocks, and planting over them, use them to create a firm foundation for building something better. Even our worst or most embarrassing life experiences can become a thing of beauty when we acknowledge them and learn from them. They can create in us a feeling of empathy for others and bring us alongside others in their times of struggle. We can offer them a kind word and supporting hand because we have already walked where they now stand. Our life experiences are not meant to be covered and hidden by a false smile or sarcastic comment. They are meant to be used to lift others up.

If you have buried rocks in your garden of life, don’t waste your energy trying to hide them. I encourage you to seek out someone that you trust, maybe even a professional, explore those rocks and use them to create a foundation to build something beautiful.

Changing Seasons …… and Perspectives

Fall is finally here! Last weekend, I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. This week, out come the flannel lined pants and the winter hat. Seasons change. How we view that change is all about perspective.

In the past, I hated flipping my calendar to November and then December. I am not a lover of the coming cold weather that these two months point to. Nor do I love the shortened days. As a matter of fact, I had declared the winter solstice, the shortest day of year, my least favorite day of the year. Really? Can you have a least favorite day of the year? In hindsight, that seems pretty petty.

A couple of years ago, I made a deliberate effort to change my perspective on the fall and winter months to focus on the positive.

Now….

Fall holds my favorite colors. The trees in my neighborhood look like brilliant fireworks in the fall. I use this color pallet throughout my home. The trees may lose their leaves and look dead, but they are welcoming an opportunity to sleep and ready themselves for the spring.

The winter solstice may be the shortest day of the year, but it is also the gateway to the light as the days begin to lengthen starting the next morning. When we turn that corner, I know that spring is once again coming, even if it is still three months away.

Sometimes life needs a little reframing too. Maybe you are afraid to try something new because you don’t want to embarrass yourself. Can you reframe your perspective?

Can you reframe anxiety into excitement? For me, it was: “I’m afraid to speak in front of others!” to “I’m excited to share what I know.”

Can you reframe frustration with others into an opportunity to understand their opinions better?

I know, it’s definitely not as easy as it sounds, but maybe, just maybe, a little change in perspective in one area of your life will open doors for other changes as well. Perhaps you can inspire others with your actions.

Good luck and enjoy the changing seasons!