January 2025
My Quiet Companion in the Pre-Dawn
Listen to the audio version by Dorothy
Greetings and welcome to this Innisfree Moment of January 2025. Do you see this time as akin to turning the pages of the next chapter of your life, or the next happening, or as a new book with a different title and focus? My vision, while built on the shoulders of its predecessor years, is that of being on a bridge, with reflections of the amazing experiences and learning curves of those prior years, anticipatory wonderment about 2025 emerging, along with some reality checks!
While not the only one that is taking up space in my mind, a niggling reality is that it is now Day 7 and the direction for this month's newsletter remains a mystery. Awake in the pre-dawn and opening a favourite book, The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere, sequel to her bestseller, The Christmas Shoes, a memory drifted into my mind about books being quiet companions. Now, much later in the day, having researched my archives, below is the quote that was part of the March 2014 issue of The Friendship Book - A Thought for Each Day, and mentioned in that month's newsletter:
The author asked the reader to name one object that is a constant companion, a source of advice, and a teacher that could be carried wherever we go. The answer: A book! The paragraph continued with words by Dr. Charles W. Eliot, distinguished president of Harvard University from 1869 to 1909: "Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."
While Dr. Eliot's words do carry truth, not all of life's experiences are quiet or patient, and if we had it our way, the story would be different. Plans for an after Christmas visit were cancelled suddenly when my long-time friend received a short-range terminal diagnosis and her pressing urgency became joining her family in another province.
Sitting in the quietness this morning (now January Day 8), reflecting on the memories and insights that this recent change in direction brought to mind, I am led to share my key values and insights with you, and discard the many drafts that I had hoped would become a thought-provoking and extraordinary launch of January's Innisfree Moment. Perhaps, this was the Plan all along ... it just took me a while to get here!
Kindness: My most recent reminder is the gift of a tiny angel with a heart-shaped mirror, now hanging on my wall with the slogan: Give kindness away today. Mark Twain referred to it as: a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Intentions: Goal-setting and intention lists remain a constant in my life. Desperate to free up space and cease 'burning the midnight oil', I recently had listed my priority involvements, 17 in total. After Christmas, a review identified each one was important, and added a code from 1 to 10, with four tagged "mindfully". So far, fingers crossed on Day 8, my days are lighter ... discounting the many false starts and edits of this current Moment!!!
The Present Moment: Despite the importance of intentions, goals and visions, we know their starting point is always the present moment. Opening my colouring book last night I read these words, written centuries ago, by Omar Khayyam: Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Memories: In my early thirties a sage client gave me advice that I have never forgotten: to build experiences that created rich memories so that later in life I could turn the pages of my Memory Book and revisit them. Despite the numerous oops experiences I created on my journey, I am grateful to have rich and colourful memories spanning many years to draw upon, and continuing. Recently, during last week's rainy day at my local park, a passing gentleman of similar age kindly said I would get wet, whereas I assured him in Ireland it was known as liquid sunshine! Over the next few moments we exchanged laughing pleasantries before continuing our journey. Let's be open to creating rich experiences in unexpected moments!
May my personal insights bring up ones of your own to savour, or a buried dream to be considered 'one day'. This Innisfree Moment has not gone where I had intended, but perhaps where it was meant to go. Until next time, I wish you a safe 2025 that sees you in good health, experiencing peace in your heart, new adventures that bring you joy, and inner strength to endure whenever you need it. It is my privilege to journey with you. Namasté!
Dorothy B.
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Rev. Dorothy Blandford, Ph.D
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Surrey, BC, V4A 6E1, Canada
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