Near the end of each month at Jennifer’s linkup we share four somethings that we’re loving, reading, learning, and eating.
I also share my previous month’s One Second Everyday video . . .
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What I’m Loving
- TWO NEW FRIENDS
Last July, Jeff and I attended the Wild Goose Festival, a faith-inspired social justice gathering in very hot and very muggy North Carolina. In one of the small group sessions I attended, I met two women, Naomi and Rachel, who I bonded with immediately.
We ran into each other a few more times during the weekend and exchanged phone numbers so we could stay in touch.
Not only have we stayed in touch, but a week ago we spent an entire weekend together at Naomi’s home, just the three of us. It was so spiritually-nurturing.
I’m very grateful for their friendship, their encouragement, and for the way these amazing women are doing the work to make this world a healthier and more compassionate home for all human beings, including me.
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What I’m Reading
- THE FIFTH AGREEMENT
A few years back I read The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz, and greatly benefited from it. The four agreements are: 1-Be impeccable with your word, 2-Don’t take anything personally, 3-Don’t make assumptions, and 4-Always do your best.
I later tweaked them a little to create my own four agreements:
While at Naomi’s house last week, she pulled out this set of uplifting cards from The Mastery of Love by the same author for a closing activity before we all went our separate ways again. We each drew one card and shared what it meant to us. My card said: “Love is kind and just.”
Back home, I downloaded The Fifth Agreement, also by Miguel Ruiz, from my library. (Rachel is now reading her own copy, too). This agreement is: “Be skeptical, but learn to listen.” It’s been a fascinating read so far (I’m about halfway in.)
“I am responsible for what I say, but I am not responsible for what you understand. You are responsible for what you understand.”
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What I’m Learning
- MEMORIZING POETRY
While I love reading nonfiction books, I struggle to read poetry. But I want to make a more concerted effort in this coming year because poetry is so valuable. I’ve begun reading some poems this past month and am loving it.
I just have to slow down enough to let them sink in. So in conjunction with my 2024 One Word (I’ll reveal it soon!), I would like to memorize select poems. I’ve been trying it out this month with Mary Oliver’s poem, Wild Geese. So far, so good!
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What I’m Eating
- MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY
This breakfast & brunch restaurant opened up near us several months ago. Jeff and I finally made it there one Friday morning for breakfast. It did not disappoint. (Although Jeff still prefers Jack’s.)
You can’t pick up one of their biscuits and take a bite though. They’re too big. I got a plain chicken biscuit, but Jeff got the works.
What is something you are loving, reading, learning, or eating this month?