Being in time

Where does the time go? This is not about being "on time" but in it, present to the moment. I'm sure I have lamented many times before about the passage of time. Today I have been having one of those days that feels spacious. I keep looking at the clock and being surprised by how much time I still have. What a way to approach life? How can I hold onto this experience? There I go, wanting to micro-manage this or package it. I have been moved by a poem this morning, "Trough" by Judy Brown:

There is a trough in the waves,
a low spot
where the horizon disappears
and only the sky
and water
are our company.

And there we lose our way
unless
we rest,
knowing the wave will bring us
to its crest again.

There we may drown
if we let fear
hold us within its grip and shake us
side to side,
and leave us flailing, torn, disoriented.

But if we rest there
in the trough,
in silence,
being with
the low part of the wave,
keeping
our energy and
noticing the shape of things,
the flow,
then time alone
will bring us to another
place
where we can see
horizon, see the land again,
regain our sense
of where
we are,
and where we need to swim.

But "if we rest... keeping our energy and noticing... then time alone will bring us to another place... regain[ing] our sense of where we are, and where we need to swim." Today, I have felt myself resting in that trough, and feeling nourished there. I am where I need to be. I can let some of the "shoulds" go, just for today.

In this busy world, what a gift to offer to children, to just be, to slow down. We can ask ourselves, "how important is it that I do this today?" And when we do slow our wild pace, children show us and teach us many things. They offer us creativity and curiosity and enthusiasm and wonder. Then for all of us, "I'm bored!" can be replaced with a world of possibilities.

Knitting Socks

One of my favorite finished sock pairs

I first learned to knit from my mom when I was a kid. Then I relearned or got the new and improved instructions from a neighbor when I was an older teen. Throughout the years, now and then, knitting has been a source of creativity and relaxation. And to be honest, a way to keep busy while I was watching TV or a movie. Then about a year and half ago, I got the idea to learn how to knit socks. I found a great site online that gave step by step instructions. Following along, I got one done. Then I did the second one, and it was so much better, that I took out the first and knitted a third. My first pair was born. Since then I have made more than 40 pairs of socks.

Knitting socks has proven to be one of my favorite pastimes in all seasons. They are easy to take along and pull out anytime. They are a great gift. My husband says that when he wears the ones I have made it's like having me right up against him.... ah, sweet!

In tough times and good times, in all times, it's great to have a hobby or interest that brings us joy. A few weeks before Christmas, I was having tea with a friend at one of the local cafes. There was a young man who was carefully knitting what looked like a scarf on some big needles. I asked him about it. He said his girlfriend had just taught him that morning and he was planning to make scarves for friends as gifts.

What kind of creative pursuits are we encouraging in kids today? For ourselves?