Belated Honeymoon

We are getting ready for our trip to England for our belated honeymoon.  When we got married, I had the choice of a fancy wedding in Las Vegas or we buy the house that we are now in.  Naturally, I choose the house with the stipulation that we have a honeymoon somewhere wonderful later.

Again, my choice as to where we would go.  Years ago, I saw the movie, The Calendar Girls, and some of it was filmed on the moors of York.  The “girls” are doing Tai Chi out on top of one of the hills with a background of glorious green in various shades.  I fell in love and decided that one day I would experience it.

We leave for England next week and will be gone for 13 days.  I am excited, thrilled and already missing our furbies or as my friend in California calls hers, fur kidz. 

Someone who follows this blog wondered if I would be writing while in England.  No, I will not be taking a computer as this is my time for the full enjoyment of the place, and not to forget, my darling. 

What I haven’t decided is what journal and what pen I will be taking as I know that I will not be able to just read my kindle…I will have to write and keep track of all of the wonderful experiences we have lined up for our time there.  We have included one night in a castle.  I only hope they have feather beds and comforters as the temperatures are now in the mid 50’s.  Well, just another reason to snuggle in order to stay warm. 

I am sure I will have some wonderful tales to write about upon my return at the end of May.  Have only good fortune while I am “across the pond.”

Spiritual Leadership

I go in and out of thinking I know why I became a spiritual leader.  There is so much I still need to learn and this after being a pulpit minister for 28 years!

This last week I was with a group of women and all of us have something in common.  But there is one woman who challenges everything I have within me.  Not only that, but no matter where I turn, there she is.  I sat across from her at lunch and there is nothing about her that I can find that I can like…even from a distance.  Her sense of humor is negative, her laughter is grinding, her eyes spit fire of nastiness, and she has the most angelic face.  I don’t get it.  What is it about her that puts me in her path so much?  I know.  I know.  What I resist, persists.

While at lunch, I really looked at what it is about her that I need to clean up in my life.  I even thought about the fact that she really isn’t what I think she is…she just is.  So, why do all the feelings that I have come up when I see her? 

Then, the aha! moment struck.  She reminds me of how my mother acted during the times she was in a crowd and needed to be the center of attraction.  She needed everyone to be focused on her even if it was negative.  Glory be!  How could I have missed it for so long?

As I write this, my gratitude level rises in knowing that I have recognized this character trait and that it is not one of mine.  I remember sitting at the lunch thinking how wonderful it was that I didn’t have to talk if I didn’t want to and that it was just okay to enjoy the food I had in front of me. 

More learning lessons.  Some easier than others.