The White Space

“White Space is where the world and all distraction falls away. Where the voice of the Divine can be heard. Where the Truth of who you are is found. Where miracles happen.”
― Valerie Rickel

I sit at the kitchen table in silence sipping tea and letting my eye travel over the simple shapes in the cupboard.  My mind begins to clear and my shoulders relax. I need these quiet moments.  I savor the stillness, though too often I forget to include it in my day.  Too often I feel guilty for sitting in stillness in a world that values busyness.

But the White Space is productive too. Only here can I hear myself think.  Hear the whisper of the small still voice that guides me and loves me and emanates from God.

I am better suited to face the world as I emerge from the stillness.  I think more clearly and forgive more readily.  I am more in tune with myself and my God.  I am renewed in the White Space.

Embedded in the prose are my Ten Things of Thankful

Silence 

Tea

Home

Calm

Security, Assurance

Uninterrupted Thoughts

The Voice of God

Restoration

Forgiveness

TToT: Light

In the midst of winter in a dark world, this sunbeam greeted me when I woke up Thursday morning. Shining its rainbow light on my happy sign, it just made me feel better about the world.  I experienced a particular pang of thankfulness reflecting on all the people who contribute to my personal happily ever after.

I have also noticed lately that the days are getting longer once again.  I am a winter person, but the realization that one day is a little longer than the day before just picks up my spirits this time of year.

I have been feeling healthy --both light of heart and light of step-- lately.  

The Annual Women's March makes my heart soar.  It restores my hope. It made me so proud that my grown kids participated.  As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to serve on the poster committee giving me the opportunity to take part in my own introverted way. 

I believe love really does trump hate, and that light will overcome the darkness.  For that I am truly thankful.

tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com

Snow Day

Several years ago I participated in a Christmas themed writing group: 'Twas the Write Before Christmas.  Dusting off those posts to share again this year.

The week before Christmas.  The pace has been frantic with places to go and lists to cross off.

Overnight a special holiday gift arrived.  The city is wrapped in sparkling white.

I stand at the window admiring the promise of something fresh and new as the radio announcer says the two words people all over town are hoping to hear, "Snow day".

I sigh and release tension I hadn't realized I was holding onto.  My focus narrows as my mind moves inward.

Today is for home, for family, for me.  Tomorrow the rush of the season and its obligations will resume; but today I have a snow day.

I am an Introvert

I am reading Introvert Power by Laurie Helgoe, PhD. A self-proclaimed introvert herself, Helgoe frames the characteristics of introverts as strengths in themselves rather than the absence of gifts that extraverts possess--a refreshing perspective for anyone who has had someone attempt to fix their introversion.

I tend to think there is a genetic component to introversion.  I am the daughter of an introverted father, an introvert myself, and the mother of an introverted daughter and son. As a child I was labeled shy.  My mother, in an attempt to help me "overcome my shyness" signed me up for Brownie Scouts, the bane of my existence every Monday afternoon for two years. After a long day in the social swirl of school, I longed to soak in the calm of home.  Instead I was a Brownie.

The prospect of playing outdoors overwhelmed me as well.  Our yard had no fence, and I felt conspicuous outside.  My happiest outdoor memories were spent hidden under the lush lilac bushes outback, up a tree, or playing between rows of laundry hanging on the line. I was always most comfortable when I could place a curtain between me and the outside world.

Our culture rewards the outgoing.  By the time I was a teenager, I could pretend to be as extraverted as the next guy. Helgoe describes my personality type as the accessible introvert.  I can play the part of the social butterfly in order to meet society's expectations or to be successful in the workplace.  I look at it as part of the job. But when the end of the day rolls around, don't look for me at happy hour. I am not a "joiner", and I won't be attending whatever club might take the place of Brownie Scouts for adults. I will be home, likely indoors with a book in my hands, and I will be exceedingly happy.