Alleluia

Some days I wake up and all I can say is

Alleluia!

For the beauty and sanctity of all life, for the privilege of waking up one more time on this perfectly imperfect world, for this breath and this one, and the next one.

The landscape outside our windows was gray and foggy this morning but oh so soft and beautiful to my eyes.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, violence, climate crisis, and more, I come back to seeing beauty no matter what else is going on.

After yesterday’s angst over the world we have created, worry for our grandchildren, and the difficulties all around us, I return to the present moment and to seeing the beauty of nature and the beauty and kindness of people I meet. I try to spread the light and beauty that I see. What else can I do but love each moment with an open and full heart?

The future is made up of only one substance and that is the present moment. By taking care of the present you are doing everything you can to assure a good future.”

   — Thich Nhat Hanh

As I sat at my desk working on this post, I had a visitor at the bird feeder. At least one squirrel has learned how to leap to one of the feeders hanging outside my office window. But it’s a squirrel-proof feeder and the weight of the squirrel on the feeder causes the metal cage on the outside of the feeder to move down, covering the feeder holes. So far in this game of wits the feeder is winning. But I haven’t ruled out the possibility that the squirrel will still figure something out to get at the food.

Squirrel-proof bird feeder and persistent squirrel who finally gave up

Meanwhile I love watching the squirrel and even spread a bit of food on the ground each time I fill the feeders, just for the squirrels.

Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you. Under the sink, for example, is an
uproar of mice it is the season of their
many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves
and through the walls the squirrels
have gnawed their ragged entrances but it is the season
when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And
the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard
while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow;
what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling
in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly
up the path, to the door. And still I believe you will
come, Lord: you will, when I speak to the fox,
the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know
that really I am speaking to you whenever I say,
as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.

— Mary Oliver

I hope that you too can find something to say, “Alleluia!” about today and every day.

May you walk in beauty.