Guest Post: Being Contemplative
My friend Bob Holmes is many things. He is a Contemplative. Professional writer, mentor, music man, photographer. Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Mountain Man, Surfer, Lover of Jesus. His blog is The Mountain Morning Cafe.
There is a deep sense of peace and joy about Bob, and an infectious sense of enthusiastic humor. Bob, and people like him, reinforce my experience that contemplation is not nearly as boring as so many people apparently think it must be.
As you can see from our guest posts on each other’s blog, we are on similar journeys. I enjoy the way Bob writes, appreciate the way he listens, and look forward to talking again soon.
It’s that time of the year again. A time of change. Fall is in the air. You can feel the under-current rumblings, of new and fresh things, waiting to be discovered. It’s not just football that’s brewing in the air.
There’s a season to push through and make it happen. But not this season. This is a time to set aside what’s not working. A season to reflect. A season to envision. A season to seek wise counsel.
Growth is Happiness. ~ John Maxwell
Tis the Season to:
*Take a class, something you’re crazy about
*Get a mentor
*Tune your exercise rhythm
*Get lost in a good book
*Dream
*Go on a spiritual retreat
*Start a project you’re dying to do
*Freely give
*Break bread with old friends
*Take time to celebrate
*Recreate your own lifestyle
Every season jars our routine. But none more than Spring and Fall. They transition us into Life. Fall is the season for gentle disciplines, restful disciplines, passionate disciplines.
We intentionally enter the dance, of our spiritual practices and habits. They become a sacred rhythm of abundance, and sustainability. They nurture as they fashion us. They simplify as they focus us. They empower as they bathe us in serenity and peace. And they fashion us as vessels to bear the sacred treasure within.
We first make our habits and then our habits make us. ~ John Dryden
With our deliberate and mindful practice, we grow from masters of our craft to become artists. And how cool is that!
[Image by Digislides]
7 Comments
Bob Holmes
September 26, 2012Wow! That picture’s perfect!
Thank You Greg for that awesome introduction. You Rock!
If you’re reading this comment, Check out Greg’s blog. Better yet, Get him as a mentor. You won’t be disappointed.
Strategic Monk
September 26, 2012Thank you, Bob!
Dan Fugate
September 26, 2012Well put, Bob. Spring and fall are the year’s waxing and waning phases. Fall’s cool, quiet comfort is peaceful and introverted. I love it.
Strategic Monk
September 26, 2012Thank you, Dan.
I think of autumn as the most ironic season, with the most contradictory aspects. A profusion of color while trees go dormant for the winter, the beginning of a new school year as the daylight gets shorter and the weather cools, the harvest of all the things we have worked for since spring.
Bob Holmes
September 26, 2012Thanks Dan!
Fall has always been my favorite season. A time to draw in, soak it all in, and re-assess the future.
Susan Crouch
September 26, 2012Beautiful words, Bob – thank you.
Loving the restful rhythm of this season.
Bob Holmes
September 26, 2012Thanks Susan!
I love to see the sacred rhythm in your work as an artist. It’s pretty incredibly awesome! Every season, your work gets deeper, and more profound.