Ellen is a trooper. She’s the mother of a guy I dated in Junior High, and we’ve stayed in touch these many years. We went to an indoor concert last week
The catch is that we weren’t quite sure what we were getting into, only that it would be different. A lively and delightful Cuban Salsa band invited the audience to dance in the space between the stage and where the seating began.
We totally enjoyed watching the dancing. I counted 32 couples just before intermission. These included what appeared to be grandmas and sons, dads and daughters; a family with children dancing enthusiastically; there were couples with polished moves, and people just having a good time.
Ellen and I struggled with the volume issue though. In case you’re wondering, it was REALLY loud. So in spite of the joyous dancing, we left at intermission.
So what did we learn from this experience? We learned to be adventurers. To push beyond our comfort zones. We succeeded in looking for the good. We found we could have a happy evening together in spite of the volume. We also discovered that it was good to know when it was time to leave.
While the instruments drowned out even the singer, which we found odd, we heard quieter messages that united our hearts in companionship for the evening.
That’s not so different from everyday life. Sometimes the volume or the momentum of the day would try to upstage or push aside the inner stillness that speaks to our hearts and restores our peace. It’s important to know when to step aside and find that quiet space that challenges the rush and noise.
It’s also important to know that we CAN step aside. It’s in that quietude that balance is restored, perspective broadens, alternatives appear. Claiming our special space is as old as civilization.
The catch is that we weren’t quite sure what we were getting into, only that it would be different. A lively and delightful Cuban Salsa band invited the audience to dance in the space between the stage and where the seating began.
We totally enjoyed watching the dancing. I counted 32 couples just before intermission. These included what appeared to be grandmas and sons, dads and daughters; a family with children dancing enthusiastically; there were couples with polished moves, and people just having a good time.
Ellen and I struggled with the volume issue though. In case you’re wondering, it was REALLY loud. So in spite of the joyous dancing, we left at intermission.
So what did we learn from this experience? We learned to be adventurers. To push beyond our comfort zones. We succeeded in looking for the good. We found we could have a happy evening together in spite of the volume. We also discovered that it was good to know when it was time to leave.
While the instruments drowned out even the singer, which we found odd, we heard quieter messages that united our hearts in companionship for the evening.
That’s not so different from everyday life. Sometimes the volume or the momentum of the day would try to upstage or push aside the inner stillness that speaks to our hearts and restores our peace. It’s important to know when to step aside and find that quiet space that challenges the rush and noise.
It’s also important to know that we CAN step aside. It’s in that quietude that balance is restored, perspective broadens, alternatives appear. Claiming our special space is as old as civilization.
Christ Jesus called it prayer. And he advised that the best way to hear what God is telling us is by going into the closet and shutting the door – closing out all distractions.
Not a bad idea.
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