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Dove Chocolate Wisdom

2014-03-23T18:04:42-04:00

The Longtime Sun

2014-03-16T15:37:30-04:00

Faith vs Pandemonium

2013-07-07T16:11:19-04:00

Pandemonium is the capitol of Hell in Milton’s Paradise Lost. It is not merely the tumult and confusion we normally associate with the word “pandemonium” but something more sinister, from the roots “pan” meaning “all” and “demon.” All demon certainly sounds hellish.

“Have faith or pandemonium li’ble to walk upon the scene” - from Johnny Mercer’s “Accentuate the Positive.” I see this not as abstract but as personal - demons “walking” upon the scene creating confusion when we lose faith.

Faith does not have to mean absolute certainty, or rigidity of form, but it implies the stability that comes from God, the inner calm that allows us to create, to love, to find solutions, when the devil would have us descend into tumult and destruction.

Faith knows the sun will rise before we see it. Faith knows God will uphold us now as He has in the past, even when not visible.

Amazing Grace

2012-07-24T21:45:17-04:00

On the way to radiation treatment, I pull up behind a van at a stop light. On the right is St. Thomas Episcopal Church. I read a bumper sticker on the van, “Pipers do it with amazing grace” and I chuckle at the phrase. I remember that at the Episcopal church I belonged to in Akron, on Rogation Sunday bagpipers would come into the church and play “Amazing Grace.”

As I put these pieces together in my mind - church, bagpipers, amazing grace - it takes only seconds - at that moment the voice on the radio says, “Amazing Grace.” Who is talking to me?! The voice goes on to recite the verses of the hymn. I realize it is Garrison Keillor and The Writer’s Almanac program. Today is the birthday of John Newton, and “Amazing Grace” is the poem for the day. After that program, WXXI plays an instrumental version of the song.

It feels like a message, like divine timing. I am lit for the day with amazing grace.

A Little Denial

2012-07-08T20:57:57-04:00

A little denial can be a good thing. I found I couldn’t deny that I had breast cancer, or that I needed the chemotherapy. But I could, and did, deny that this disease would be the defining part of my life. That’s why after one visit I chose not to participate in support groups. I saw that they would foster identification with the disease. My life was not / is not breast cancer.
My life was, as it is now, my creative life, my spiritual life, my family and friends, my job. I had to accommodate some of that to the fatigue that came with treatment, but I continued to work full time and made time at home for some positive and creative work, even if in small increments.
I am blessed that the lab tests after surgery showed no cancer! I look on this as a multi-tier healing: physical, mental and spiritual. And an important part of my contribution to that healing was my denial of the dominion of disease.

The Power of Dreams

2012-06-25T07:03:17-04:00

Here are two photos taken on Cape Cod this month. I was jubilant to be there, but had not doubted that I would make it. All winter long as I underwent chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, I dreamed about walking on the beach. At work I put up a Cape Cod calendar and used a morning beach scene as my computer wallpaper. I would look at the beach picture and feel being there, feel the glory of a June morning beach walk.

Surgery was in April. I said, “I have to be recovered enough that I can drive to the Cape in early June and walk on the beach.” Well, I was recovered. And to add to the blessings, tests showed I am cancer free!

Now I have to go through radiation treatment, but I am dreaming about September walks on the beach!

You Can't Afford The Luxury of a Negative Thought

2012-03-18T18:09:23-04:00

I just found out that is the title of a book by Peter McWilliams. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s now on my Amazon wish list. I had seen the words somewhere years ago and they stuck in my mind. The idea sounds right, whether in reference to an illness or life in general.

However, sometimes it takes an illness to “get” the importance of the wisdom we have paid lip service to over the years. I am currently being treated for breast cancer and am making a list of all the ideas I want to start practicing for real.

Negative thinking is insidious. It is a “luxury” because it is so easy. But it saps energy and starts a downward spiral leading to more negative thoughts and negative feelings.

Daily Grace

2012-03-18T17:37:25-04:00

It is important to find occasions for gratitude, for the many small ways grace manifests in our lives. The day of this picture (2/27/12) I felt blessed to see a red-bellied woodpecker at the feeder. (photo taken through the window)