So today after lunch I head home.....and it has been exactly what I needed.....and here is what I have realized this weekend......in my opinion, one of my very favorite things to do is have deep and connected conversation with another human......and any chance that I can I try to seize the opportunity.....but in a digital age sometimes that connection can fall flat, and I think that may be why I enjoy social media.....the social piece, feeling that connection that I seek, when I cannot be where the people are......but this weekend I was reminded of the power of really connecting.....the world has been shifting for some time.....and through Covid, human connection was abruptly cut......no warning.....just gone.....to remain in our homes with whatever humans we had there.....and when I was a kid, I used to love listening to my grandparents tell stories....around the dinner table........and learn the story of their lives.....and yesterday....as I had so many conversations with so many people, real substantial ones.....without phones.....without anything but ourselves.....some coffee.....some hiking.....some fellowship......learning about all of us, different walks of life.......it allowed for a real slow down and awareness of how important it is.....and how we all are seeking it, to be seen and heard, to listen and hear others.....I learned so much about all of the people here......having so many deeper and wonderful conversations.....we started the morning meditating in a small group, and it developed into a lovely conversation about life and themes that affect us all.....and then spent a few hours together after breakfast doing the activities that were planned for us and having it develop into these deep spaces....then lunch and a hike.....love the woods in the winter and the snow....I walked along and spoke to somebody else about deep and wonderful stuff.....and then returned to all meet together again before dinner....more deep spaces.....then after dinner we sat for an hour plus at our tables just talking and laughing and learning about one another.....following dinner with a Taize little meditative church service by candlelight, which was my favorite.....so beautiful and then sang songs with Art and his guitar....so from around 7:30 yesterday till about 10, I spent all of that time in the throes of human connection.....and it had been so long.....I interact daily with lots of humans, but not for that kind of sustained time.....and that in depth.....and I think that is also why I love my women's series so much.....real......deep.....and authentic connection......what I crave in this life......I have never been down or into small talk......just not my thing.....I want to know all about a person.....their inner workings.....what they dream about .....what they think about.....what they love.....what scares them.....where they are from.....who they love.....what has come to hurt them in this life and their story beyond that......just all of it.....and this weekend has fed that part of my soul in a real way......a tangible way.....a way that fills a person up and stays with them beyond the moment......I also had opportunity to pray deeply about the things I care about.....going deep into my desires and my prayers for myself and others.....so this morning I look forward to our final time together.....and the journey beyond this time and where it will lead.......it is well with my soul:)
jperuso
Comments