on accompaniment, attentiveness, and contribution
Sure, this applies to the stuff that we trade for money.
But even more importantly, it applies to the stuff to which we give our time, attention, emotional energy.
When we choose to spend time doing something, we are “buying” that thing with our most precious resource.
When we enter the world of Maurice Sendack, Fred Rogers, Roald Dahl, Mo Willams, or the geniuses who write and produce Bluey, we know instinctively that we are in the hands of special people.
They have clearly cultivated a special attentiveness to children and then create a world rooted in this tender perception that invites all to rejoice in a child’s way of proceeding.
Our boys have stumbled upon another writer with this same gift.
Abby Hanlon’s Dory Fantasmagory is a delight for all comers, especially sassy younger children who may feel a little left behind by older siblings.
The fifth book in the series is our favorite, but we are re-reading them all to make sure.
The most valuable things reside on the other side of discomfort.
The vulnerability of commitment.
Sharing something that is deeply important to us with another.
Taking the first awkward steps to learn a new skill set.
Sitting in quiet non-judgemental awareness with one’s own mind.
These moments can be quite uncomfortable… but if we are able to see this discomfort as something enormously valuable, then we are able to grow.
One night some years ago, when I was living in Uganda, I was walking home alone.
There was no moon, and when the power went out (there was frequent load shedding) I was about a quarter mile from home. It was completely dark. I could not see a thing.
Or so I thought at first. But standing there, after my eyes adjusted, I realized that I could see just a tiny bit, enough to move a little bit closer to home with each small step. Sure, I ran into a few bushes, but I did arrive safely.
When navigating life’s challenges, it can get pretty dark. Even so, we typically have enough clarity for the very next step. We usually have enough light for our feet.
(Also, this, from Meister Eckhart…)
Paul's Blog