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This is my favorite time of the year! The days are
warm, nights are cool and the trees are changing. I
noticed this morning that the leaves on the Autumn
Blaze Maple in my yard are beginning to get red, a
sure sign of the change in
seasons.
"Reaching the summit is
optional.
Getting down is mandatory."
Last
Saturday,
September 8, my husband, Richard, and I did both. I
hiked my first 14,000 foot mountain. It was a
wonderful experience and the most difficult physical
challenge I have ever accomplished. I met many
wonderful people, from those who were hiking to trail
staff and paramedics.
The most remarkable
thing
happened about 300 feet from the summit. A big,
burly guy came up to my husband and asked if he
could carry his backpack. Richard suggested he carry
my backpack. So he approached me and said "May I
have the honor of carrying your backpack to the
summit?" I was really tired by then and replied that I
would be thankful to have a big guy in camouflage
pants carry my backpack. As we went the rest of the
way to the summit, I discovered he was a former
Marine who had experienced a traumatic brain injury
also. (I never did get his name.) After we got the to
summit house and got checked in, "Marine" gave me
my backpack and with tears in his eyes thanked
me for giving him the honor of carrying my
backpack to the summit and for hiking for people like
him.
This experienced reinforced a lesson I
have learned over the past year. By allowing others to
help us, we bless them. I am reminded of my
tendency
to think I am so tough and independent. But by the
simple act of allowing "Marine" to carry my backpack, I
gave him a blessing much larger than he gave me.
So the next time somebody says they want to help you
with something, think twice before you say "no".
Instead, bless them by allowing them to bless you.
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September 20 - "An Introduction to the Enneagram" - with Martie McMane.
Window to the Soul
Do you ever wonder why people think, feel, or respond
the way they do? Do you ever find yourself
getting "stuck" in patterns of thinking, feeling, or doing
that are less productive than you wished? Would you
like to understand yourself and others better? Would
you like to discover the secret to becoming your Best
Self? The Enneagram is an ancient tool of self-
understanding that can help you release old patterns
of behavior and open you to your Highest Self. It is
a "window to the soul". In this presentation, Martie will
introduce you to this powerful tool for self-awareness.
Martie McMane is the Senior Minister of the
First Congregational, UCC Church of Boulder, where
she has been serving for eight years. Before going
into the ministry, Martie held a variety of educational
positions, including adjunct college professor of
Speech and Oral Interpretation of Literature at the
University of Akron, Ohio. Martie is certified in the
Hurley and Donson "Enneagram of Transformation," a
psycho-spiritual method to help people manifest the
Divine Image within them. Martie's specialty areas
include spiritual discernment, helping people discover
their gifts and using creative arts to connect with the
Divine Presence.
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Join us for these warm and engaging
gatherings.
- Sunflower Restuarant, 1701 Pearl Street at 17th
and Pearl in Boulder
- 11:45 am to 1:15 pm
- Cost is $25.00 including lunch
Please RSVP by 5:00 pm the preceding Wednesday by
e-mail or at 720.849.2892. As always your
promptness is appreciated, or come early to meet
new women and network.
Grace and Peace,
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