Activating Awesome / Dream - Imagine - Create, was the theme of the ministry conference I attended at Edmonton, Alberta in June and, as promised in last month's Innisfree Moment, share some highlights of a wonderful experience that included uplifting music and workshops, camaraderie, and concluding messages by the following two speakers:
Not only was I glad I heeded the inner whisper of my heart to attend the conference, but that I reversed my initial decision and accepted wheelchair assistance upon disembarking from the flight. It was a VERY long distance to the exit, and could have been a challenge finding the bus shuttle depot for the hotel. Had I given in to false pride I would have missed the gift of a friendly exchange during our swift journey, whizzing through staff-only access doorways, and getting an earlier shuttle!
Have you been offered a gift of support that you refused, for the selfless reason of not wanting to inconvenience another? I was so tempted when friends offered to drive me to and from the airport instead of going by local transportation. Yet, by accepting, I had the convenience, comfort and joy of our journey together. When a member of Servant Leadership, an association founded by the late Robert Greenleaf, I learned of a concept that changed my thinking, that rejecting a gift of kindness is also denying the generosity of the gifter. Often it is more natural to be a giver, but difficult to be a receiver. My acceptance, I later learned, was a win-win solution as my friends loved going to the airport, and stopping for refreshments!
The above are a few more thoughts for your pondering! I won't be producing an August newsletter but will return in September - which for many of us often feels like a new year, just as for students returning to school.
Thank you for your interest in these Moments, and for your thoughts when something whispers to your heart.
Until we come together again, I wish you a special and safe rest of summer ... Blessèd be!
Dorothy B.
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Rev. Dorothy Blandford, Ph.D
Apt. 202 - 1655 Martin Drive
Surrey, BC, V4A 6E1, Canada
604-535-9016
info@innisfreespirit.com