The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.
-- W.E.B. DuBois
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In the Celebration Circle we honor and nurture the Sacred in ourselves, each other, and all Creation.
Just a few weeks left to enter our Awesome
Amethyst
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You're invited to sign up for our Daily Inspiration Circle e-mails. Just
send an e-mail to circle4peace@yahoo.com
with "subscribe" in the subject line and you'll receive a bit of the Circle each day. | |
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* Special thanks to Gary O Smith for all of the amazing Altar Show photos each year! ---------------------------------------------------------
I knew it was coming, but it still took me by surprise when it happened. You see, our son, Mateo, is a 5th grader at Bonham Academy, a public school located on St. Mary's street, just south of downtown. It's a very busy street, so ever since kindergarten, whenever I drive him to school in the morning, I park at the end of the block, and then we walk together through the crosswalk and on into the schoolyard. When we get to the front steps, we hug, and I invariably say, "Have fun learning in school today" and he always replies, "Have a good day, Papa" before zooming off to class.
But one day last week, his good friend, John, appeared on the sidewalk a few yards ahead of us, just as we were getting out of the car. "Hey, John, wait up!" shouted Mateo as he ran to catch up to his pal without a single backward glance in my direction. I stood dumbfounded, watching them walk off without me, swinging their backpacks and yakking up a storm as if it were the most natural thing in the world - which it was, of course. So why did it feel like a horse had just kicked me in the gut? Blinking back tears of pride and sadness simultaneously, I watched my son, suddenly all grown up and striding off into a future of his own.
The next morning, we slipped right back into our old ritual without a word, just as if nothing different had happened the day before. He even grabbed my hand spontaneously as we crossed the street. He tucked his soft, warm fingers into mine, as we'd done countless times in years gone by, but hadn't done for quite a while. What a sweet surprise! But I quickly noticed that something was different this time; his hand didn't surrender into mine. Instead it was a lively, fluttering creature, doing a subtle but distinct little dance in the palm of my hand, as if trying to find a new way to fit together. When we got to the front steps, he turned to collect our habitual hug and deliver our ritual lines. But it was noticeably shorter and faster than ever, with a quick but unmistakable glance around to make sure none of his buddies were watching. In a flash, he'd disappeared down the hallway, leaving me to wipe a fresh set of tears from my eyes again.
I've driven him to school twice more since then. Both times he's made a point of saying a sweet but swift farewell, while simultaneously unbuckling his seatbelt and dashing out the car door, long before I could even think to turn off the ignition. This must be our new ritual, at least for now. I'm doing my best to savor it. Soon enough he'll be driving himself to school and beyond. I suppose that will feel great, as well as hurt some, too. Unless (or until) I learn to release my attachments to my feelings more fully, there's always going to be some degree of discomfort in letting go of the old to make room for the new. And that's true, not just with Mateo, but in all areas of my personal, professional and spiritual life. That's just part of what it takes to grow...
But who knows? Maybe I'll become wiser and more detached from my feelings. Maybe I'll have learned how to take it all in stride by the time Mateo gets his driver's license. I hope so. And I hope not. We'll see. No use trying to rush his growth or mine.
With blessings to you and your growth process, wherever it may lead,   | |
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Sundays
THIS SUNDAY
September 20th
Different Ways to Pray
Rudolf takes another look at the different ways we view prayer - and how that outlook can affect our experience. With music by vocalist Sarah Bading and the Circle Band.
NEXT SUNDAY
September 27th
Once Upon a Time
Join Rudolf in exploring some mind-bending, heart-opening developments in the New Cosmology, or how we view ourselves in the context of the Big Picture.
Sunday Morning Circle meets at 11:00 am
at the Jump Start Theater
located at the Blue Star Arts Complex
Building B
In the heart of King William
(near the corner of Alamo and Probandt) |
Wednesday Meditation Circle gathers each week at 7:30 pm at the Quaker Meeting House too, 7052 N. Vandiver, San Antonio. Come enjoy the sacred time and space - donations welcome. The part of you that longs to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n for just a bit will thank you.
SUNDAY - October 4, 2009
6:30 pm
Sunday Sundown Circle
Join us for our monthly gathering designed to help you wrap up the week and get ready to begin a new one with acoustic music, meditation, and an extension of our Sunday morning message ... in the sweet space of the Quaker Meetinghouse - 7052 N. Vandiver in San Antonio.
Looking for something to do this weekend, or sometime soon in September?
September 1 - September 30, 2009
One People, Many Paths:
The Sacred Art of Altars
6th Annual Exhibit & Silent Auction
Bijou Theatre at Crossroads Mall
Fall Retreat - "The Gift of Sacred Rest"
Slumber Falls Camp & Retreat Center
A peaceful, powerful weekend of spiritual direction, meditation, rest and recreation
Facilitated by Rudolf Harst and Zet Baer
Enjoy great food, fun, music, yoga, art and relaxation in the beautiful outdoor setting of Slumber Falls Camp Retreat Center, along the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels. ($175 for early registration by October 25th)
or you can call the Circle Office at 210-533-6767. |
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