September Journal Jottings

It's hard to believe we're here enjoying the last day of September. Already. But what a perfect day it's been. The weather is like something straight out of paradise with most every tree, shrub, and flower now brushed from autumn's paintbox. The garden outside my window is alive with bird song and the air is fragrant with that earthy mix of dried leaves and moist soil -- grass seeds are being watered down in a bare patch. The air feels silky against the face while wisps of clouds float along as if they had all the time in the world.

As I thought about what to post on this last day of the month, I know some bloggers, like Cheryl, create a photo wrap-up of the month's events and moments. And, Emily posts about the things she learned during the month -- she has a link-up too. Both have wonderful ideas for 'gathering the moments'....

Source

Thumbing through my journal, where I write most days, I realized I wanted to gather a few jottings together and offer you a little glimpse of some things I was thinking about -- a few quotes, notes, and gentle reminders that have been a touchstone in some way for me during the month of September.

 1. journal note to self

 

 2. the quote

"There was another life I might have had,

but I am having this one."

~ Kazuo Ishiguro, Nocturnes

I've been re-writing this quote in my journal every few days so I don't forget it. Oh my ... this has been such a freeing thought ever since I first read it earlier this month. No matter how settled we think we are in our own skin, I still find times when I'm not.  And then, how we can lament those lost opportunities or the forks in the road where we wonder how our lives might have been if we'd only taken the other road. They might not even be about the huge decisions of life, but those smaller ones that we mutter and re-mutter the 'what if' questions to ourselves -- not to mention, to any willing pair of ears, until we all want to #barf.

Of course, our lives would have turned out differently, if we'd made different choices and had different opportunities. But we don't know if they would have been better or not. I don't know about you, but I'm totally ready to acknowledge and accept that, and to truly let go and relax into the shoes I call my own. And forget about the what if's already! I'm in the right place at the right time for the life I'm having right now. Good, not so good, and just plain ordinary. So no more letting those nebulous unidentified feelings keeping me wondering. Chances are, as my wise sister is wont to remind the both of us on occasion, in many cases we would still do the same things and make the same choices, given the same circumstances.

Yes, there is another life I might have had, but I am having this one. And it is good. Don't you just love that?

3. facebook messaged

 

Jennifer and I worked together a long time ago ... she is one of those beautiful women with a heart of gold, not to mention a ready laugh and sharp wit. She has been as a pen in God's hand on more than one occasion to me with her rare, but all the more treasured, messages of encouragement and grace. They seem to appear out of the blue just when I need them. So, you can well understand why this note was transcribed from my Facebook page into my journal (for safe keeping).
 

4. wish I had the words

"Lord of the universe,

how I wish I had the words to

fashion beautiful prayers to praise Thee!

But, alas, I cannot find the words.

So listen to me, O God, as I recite

the letters of the alphabet. You know

what I think and how I feel.

Take these letters of the alphabet

and You form the words that express

the yearning, the love for Thee

in my heart." ~ Unknown

  

  5. playing with my pen

  -- I love drawing swooshy skirts! Must be the 'Queen' on the inside. Love dresses from the 1950s. Maybe there's this urge to sketch such outfits because, as a girl I longed to be grown up so I could wear those feminine, swirly dresses and skirts, but fashion changed before I grew up and I missed out. Always felt cheated with the fashions of the 1960's.

7. mulling these words I wrote down

 

 "I awake each morning torn between desires to save the world

and a desire to savor the world."
~ E.B. White

Oh good, I'm not the only one. Haven't quite figured the balance of that but listening to the Still, Small Voice -- those nudges and hunches -- will help us make choices moment by moment. For we need to do and have both the saving and the savoring in our lives.

♥♥♥

"When life has difficult times,
fight back with normal life."
~ Unknown

Simple things like preparing a a meal, eating it with loved ones, washing up dishes in a sink of sudsy water, bathing the baby, and taking the dog for a walk ... it's what gives stability to our ofttimes shaky world. I want to recommend one of my favourite books to read: the memoir Keeping the Feast by Paula Butturini. It is a perfect read on this very theme -- her story shows so eloquently that daily routines can be comforting and that there is a sustaining power of food and love in the midst of hardship.

  ♥♥♥

"Wherever you are, be all there!"
~ Jim Elliot, Martyr in Ecuador

Yes, yes, that's the secret, Mr. Elliot. Present in the moment. Living it right now and not pining for something else, somewhere else.

8. remembering the harvest moon

Wasn't that moon s-p-e-c-t-a-c-u-l-a-r ? Really, there aren't any words for it. Although I didn't get any great shots, I've been privy to some splendorous photography of that moon. So beautiful as to take your breath away. I'm so grateful to everyone who's been sharing online. What a feast for the eyes and soul!

Thinking of such a harvest moon now reminds me of Neil Young's song. Come a little bit closer...

It's a wrap -- it's been a happy September!
I'm linking up this week at Little Things Thursday.

Sending hugs to you,
Brenda
♥♥♥