My daily walk for lent is going well. Sure most people give something up during lent. As a sacrifice in remembrance of the ultra sacrifice that Jesus gave. As a child we would go to Mass each morning, go to the stations of the cross of Friday night, say the rosary with my aunts, uncles and cousins at my Grandparent's house, give up sweets, plus my mother would remind us faithfully, "You should be mindful of our actions, it is lent."
I loved lent. It was a time of reflection, prayer… mindfulness… as a family and community.
During my first lent at the monastery I asked the Abbot what could I give up since, well, living in a monastery I had basically given up everything I could think of: Sweets, TV, alcohol, going out… We prayed most the day, were mindful, went to Mass… He told me to do something. Do something as a prayer for peace, forgiveness, love… or for someone.
This year I am walking…
The signs of spring, renewed life appears daily. The smell in the air varies, the sounds of spring are waking up, colors yawn, open an eye and smile. Lent: a time of becoming, of allowing that which is life giving to rise and take root within. I feel the magnitude of change in the season. Witnessing the transformation of winter to spring: An example to take off that which is no longer needed, to let "spring" become in me.
Prayer walk. Reflective walk. Mindfulness walk. Thankfulness walk. To walk the talk.
Wild violets along the path.
Such frail sweetness growing along the edge of the river.
One by one
here and there
I picked wild violets.
Each one I named after someone I love.
Bringing my wild violets home to release their perfume.
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