(not necessarily in that order)
At a certain point I find myself wondering, “Just how much inspiration can a person take in, anyway?!?”
Because come Friday afternoon of SRW I often feel like I can’t absorb even one more insight, one more bit of wise guidance, one more heartwarming story.
But the truth is that — somehow! — there’s always room for more, especially when it’s so filled with joy. 🤸♀️
I’m always grateful for Thursday evening of SRW.
Saturday was Sevaka retreat. Sunday morning was service, while Sunday evening all the singers, instrumentalists, and dancers came together for our one full rehearsal. Every weekday starts off with music before the morning class. Monday evening was kirtan. Tuesday evening was the concert. Wednesday evening was an inspiring Q&A session with Jyotish and Devi. Thursday afternoon is music and inspiration for donors at the Gratitude Tea.
But tonight…there’s blessed nothing.
Ahhhh…. a chance to catch our breath and clear some mental and psychic space for three more days of inspiration still to come.
A lot of energy was expended yesterday with a beautiful end result!
I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say about it once the energy stores have been replenished a bit.
I’m laying a little low in the meantime.
I’m not making this up!
Seriously, this was my Momentum Dash message for today, which just happens to be the day of our Spiritual Renewal Week concert.
Yes, there are (as always) a lot of last minute details to deal with, but it’s really not all that bad.
I think this just goes to show that God definitely does have a sense of humor.
It definitely feels like we cast off our lines yesterday (with Sunday service and a thrilling concert rehearsal) and today finds us well underway on our SRW 2023 voyage.
Judging by this morning’s class with Jyotish and Devi; a wonderful lunch with friends from India; and an inspiring kirtan, it’s clear that we’re in for quite a journey!
I always find Ananda’s Sunday service to be inspiring, but some weeks it is so deeply inspiring that I feel fully recalibrated by the end.
Today was one of those Sunday services, and it was just what I needed — exactly when I needed it! (Not to mention the lingering impact of the uplifting Sevaka Retreat that took place the day before.)
I’m so grateful to be starting Spiritual Renewal Week with a renewed awareness of — and strengthened commitment to — living my life in service to God.
I especially love the words in this portion of the Festival of Light that we hear every Sunday:
Many times has that light descended,
Drawn to earth by the call of aspiring love.
Your chosen people have always been
Those of every race and nation
Who, with deep love, chose Thee.
(The minister lifts the candle aloft with both hands to symbolize this choice.)
Please pray with me:
O Lord,
With all my heart,
With all my mind,
With all my soul,
And with all my strength
I choose Thy love,
I choose only Thee.
And so I do…again and again and again. 🙏
It’s not that I’ve been actively thinking about Switzerland a lot; life’s way too busy for that!
But I had a dental appointment the other day and there was this beautiful video playing on the monitor. My first thought was that it reminded me of Switzerland, but I figured I was getting a little fixated. After all, there are many beautiful places in Europe, with castles and mountains and lush green grass.
However, I had to explain to the dental assistant that I couldn’t address the issue with my tooth sooner due to being out of the country. She asked me where and when I said “Switzerland” she immediately gestured toward the monitor and laughingly asked if I didn’t recognize the images.
Sure enough, it was all Switzerland!
Turns out she “visits” different locations during her workday by selecting these drone videos. I never knew such videos existed, but it’s actually really cool.
Tomorrow morning is the Sevaka Order retreat, which is pretty much the warmup act to Spiritual Renewal Week.
Spiritual Renewal Week is pretty much the biggest week of the year at Ananda Village, with classes every morning; special events pretty much every afternoon and evening; and guests joining from all around the globe.
Music in a variety of forms is featured every day throughout the week. I think we’ve got all our music bases covered, but I’m so “detailed out” at the moment it’s hard to be sure.
Regardless — tomorrow we take the plunge and it all begins!
It’s been a full day with many tasks accomplished (emails, meetings, laundry, practicing, rehearsal), but I’m most pleased about the fact that I finally finished reading and responding to all my birthday greetings.
It’s so fun to tune in — however briefly — to friends from all the different eras of my life: high school buddies; classmates at university and conservatory; professional musician colleagues; fellow seekers from different spiritual congregations; and those I met while living in other countries.
It leaves me feeling more grateful than ever for the rich and varied life I’ve been blessed to lead.
It’s probably because I’m (literally) a solstice baby, but I absolutely love the summer solstice.
There really is a magical quality about the longest day for me.
Of course, with tomorrow will arrive the awareness that we’re now heading in the opposite direction — toward the shortest day.
Such a great example of duality.
But for now….Happy Solstice!
