The featured image for this post is of artwork on a building in Chelsea, Manhattan. I took this picture during a recent trip there. I’m sorry I don’t have any information on the artist.
I’m writing this post as part of the Five Minute Friday online writing community. Learn more here: http://fiveminutefriday.com/linkup/.
This week’s writing prompt is PRACTICE.
Maybe each day—each setback, each terrifying leap forward, each joy, each frustration—is an opportunity to practice what we claim to value, prioritize, appreciate.
It’s difficult to maintain this perspective.
- I’ve consistently failed to practice what I know I ought to be practicing. Therefore, guilt. Piano? Didn’t practice. Clarinet? Didn’t practice. Oboe? Didn’t practice. Really, really needed to practice in order to not sound like a dying duck. Didn’t practice.
- It’s incredibly hard to view those moments of frustration as opportunities for growth. When I was pulled over yesterday for expired vehicle registration tags, it was pretty darn difficult to consider that expensive experience to be a learning opportunity. Cause for embarrassment? Absolutely. Opportunity to practice self-compassion? Not so much.
The beautiful thing about viewing each day as an opportunity to practice, though, is the constant assurance that it’s not going to be perfect. I’m not going to be perfect. I’m not supposed to be perfect. I’m practicing. And in that practicing, there is always room for growth, but always room for failure too. Tomorrow, I’ll be practicing again.
And maybe someday I’ll be able to put a gold sticker by something I’ve practiced day in and day out to achieve, but probably not. Probably even after I think I’ve got the thing down, I’ll mess up. I’ll be given the opportunity to practice some more, like it or not.
So today, I will practice paying attention–to the dew on the greening grass, to the way my body thirsts for water (and not just chai latte!), to the tree branch shadows on the driveway, to the prayers that rise up in my heart.
Today, I will practice dreaming—plotting a marathon training schedule even though my muscles are sore from yesterday’s first run in forever.
Today, I will practice loving those I encounter as they need to be loved rather than as I need to be loved. There’s a difference, I’m learning.
Today, I will practice kindness and generosity, trusting that even little acts make a difference. How might a kind word on Twitter do God’s work in the world?
Today, I will practice breathing deeply—inviting the Spirit to fill me, guide me, shape me, free me.
Today, I will practice living—painfully aware that tomorrow is not a given.
What will you practice today?
I agree– we are all a work in progress. I like your list of ways to practice living and growing in ways of love and kindness.
Thank you, Carol! Works in progress indeed!
I like the way you talk. I’m here from FMF.
Thank you, Diane! Thanks for stopping by!
Today I’m gonna practise dyin’;
it’s what I practised yesterday.
I want to live, and Lord, I’m tryin’
but wall’s writing points the way.
Cancer is as cancer does,
a killer from the starting block
that makes good feeling as ‘what was’,
and round about the vultures flock.
Surrender was, though, never taught
in Recon or in Sniper School;
the assumption was that you fought
to the end, and dyin’ was the rule.
So guess I’ll keep my honour bright
and not go gentle to that good night.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/05/your-dying-spouse-617-i-presstoward.html
Thank you, Andrew. Your courage and wisdom is a blessing.
“In practicing, there is room for growth.” That is a great truth. The more I practice _____(so many ways to fill the blank), the more I learn, grown and mature. I hope that is my focus.
Yes, Jennifer, so many ways to fill in the blank. Blessings to you as you continue to practice and grow!
Good morning Stacy, your last line is powerful. I join you in practicing the things that matter to God. Thank you for this encouragement today. Visiting from FMF, Julie
Thank you, Julie, and thanks so much for visiting!