I came across two books during a recent visit to Co Galway that I thought I should bring to the attention of readers. One was published 20 years ago, the second a few months ago. Both are American authors. There are some good people in the USA.
The first book Finding Our Way (Leadership for an Uncertain Time is by Margaret J Wheatley, (San Francisco 2005)
This is a summary of Finding Our Way in short sentences.
Life is uncertain
Life is cyclical
Meaning is what motivates
SERVICE brings us Joy
Courage comes from our heart (Coeur)
We are interconnected with all life/ the web/the system
We can rely on Human Goodness
In these dark times we can only rely on Hope
Resilience and love are found in the human Spirit
Advice -BEGIN EACH DAY WITH 2 MINUTES SILENCE
1. Work at Personal Spiritual Health -to maintain a sense of focus and peace.
2. Start the day peacefully –in silence.
3. Learn to be Mindful-pause when annoyed or angry before speaking.
4. Slow things down. Sit back in the chair and take a deep breath.
5. Create personal measures –am I turning towards or away?
6. Expect Surprise. Life is full of surprises. Expect them and they won’t bother you as much.
7. Practice Gratitude/ Count your Blessings every day!
The second book, by spiritual author Joyce Rupp, is called The Years of Ripening –Reflections on Ageing in the Later Years (Orbis, NY 2026)
Ripening, she says, is part of the process of living and dying. To ripen means we have grown as fully as we can on this earth and then we are ready to be plucked from here to grow somewhere else.
After eight decades we reach Elderhood and then everything appears different. It is the last portion of the ripening process. We have grown through many stages and now we are called to complete what still needs to become mature, while “rejoicing over the sweet taste of what has already been gathered into the harvest. We have the graced time and spacious presence to reflect, integrate and bring to wholeness the significant features of our individual transformation that were previously set aside or not given enough attention.”
Now in the early eighties every day counts as never before. The reality of the road’s ending looms closer. Even if we live to be a hundred and five the years will fly by quickly. “So little time left. Now that I am in my early eighties, this thought does not produce dread. Rather it creates a desire to live each day with a passion for living and an increased spiritual attentiveness.” I am still reading and learning. This is a positive book and very reassuring. I wish I could give a copy to everyone in the audience.
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