Week one passed so quickly.
During the prayer service this morning, a woman brought her guitar upfront to play and sing. None of us was familiar with the songs so we couldn’t sing along.
Last year, I LOVED the prayer service and was uplifted by the chance to belt out fun songs in a big group with guitar music. It bothered me that I couldn’t sing along. Her “performance” was cutting into my joyful song.
Throughout this trip, I have been trying not to compare it to my trip last year. I was thoughtful about making sure that I connected with others on this trip and that I participated in everything. I thought I had it covered.
But I suddenly realized that, because I was here before, I now had EXPECTATIONS and I wanted them to be met. Last year, I threw myself into each day and in fact, into each event. But now I had an idea of how things “should” be, and I liked them that way. I liked doing my own joyful singing during the prayer service last year. I wasn’t ready for someone else to take the stage and share her joyful singing.
As I considered this, I also noticed that I was spending time looking forward to events, which was fun but distracting me from fully immersing myself in the event happening right now. For example, when the prayer service was not making me happy, my mind wandered to think about our upcoming trip to the waterfall, which I loved last year and looked forward to again. Further, because I wasn’t really experiencing the present moment, the time was passing without my noticing. Hence, the quickly passing week.
So, I shifted my attention to be more present. This service didn’t have as much singing, but it was still lovely. And when another woman rose to sing, I decided to try and pay attention and not escape into some fun fantasy.
She launched into Ave Maria and I felt transported by her beautiful voice. I looked at her standing in the front of the room. She appeared to be very plain and almost timid so the voice was a surprise. As I continued to look at her, I saw a white shadow around her head.
I blinked to refocus my eyes, and it slowly formed again. It was close around her head but not symmetrical. As she sang and I watched, the white shadow pulsed and grew around her head and expanded to include her right shoulder. Soon, a small rainbow of colors appeared close to her head, but the white was still the largest and had the strongest pulsating life.
If I had escaped into my little fantasyland, I would have completely missed that.
I hope you are fully enjoying whatever moment you are in, and then as it passes, fully enjoying the next one.
Love and light,
Marie
Adventures in Spiritual Living 
You are so right about ‘being present in the moment’, Marie, because that is what God does – he meets us where we are. Funny – that’s a common disappointment today with technology. There are many many ways to escape the moment and be with others elsewhere. Peace, Marie.
I agree – so many times when I am bored or even just fidgety, I reach for my cellphone and check my messages, or work on the computer instead of doing something that involves more of my body. Peace to you, too, Jeff.
Thank you for this post. One needs to be reminded of being present – all the time. You write in such a personal, specific way that is\t touches us all.
Thank you so much, Pamela!
OMgoodness Marie, this gives me shivers, happy feelings and so much joy I can hardly contain it…What I love about you…well just one of the things…is how ready and willing you are to drop into a feeling and choose if your are willing to stay there or if you would rather see if it can be a catalyst to a growth point!!!!! This is just one of the things I love about you my dear Marie!!!!!!! Auras life is truly wonderful isn’t it…love love love, Abi