Author: gracesmuggler

During this season, I’ve been thinking a great deal about gratitude and living more fully in the present moment.

I have found this to be true:

Gratitude helps us
hold lightly, and
hold deeply.

These two things at once.

The practice of gratitude helps us hold experiences lightly, because we recognize that all things are constantly changing. Gratitude doesn’t seek to control people, situations, or outcomes. Instead, we can receive from all of these as they change.

The practice of gratitude helps us hold experiences deeply, because we recognize their value and are fully present. Gratitude connects us deeply with our daily lives and most especially, people. Gratitude strengthens connections and bonds.

I wonder what’s possible if we practice gratitude more intentionally?

–Renee Roederer

Last night while taking a walk, I felt a boop on the back of my leg. I turned around and it was this perfect, gray, fluffy puppy. Her humans were kind enough to let me pet her fluff and then photo her.

WHAT A CUTE BOOPER

Spontaneously, we turned off the lights and began passing around a single candle in a glass jar. We had time to kill as we waited for the last person in our group to arrive at the house, so we sat at the kitchen table and passed this candle around. We giggled as it illumined faces, and when the candle came to them, each person added a phase to a story we were building.

And it was so silly.

Goodness, as I recall this, there were so many goofy themes that became a part of this story, which we built for a long time. Our other member had to come late, so we just kept going.

By the time she arrived, we had all planned to stay in the dark, silent, just sitting there with this candle burning, so she would think, “Wait… what are you doing…?”

But of course when she arrived, we tried that and just started laughing.

These are the silly moments of belonging — mundane, yet spontaneous, yet memory-making. These are the moments of having an expansive sense of household. These young adults have  become a chosen family group, and I get to house that experience every time they come over. With gratitude, we’re building that bit by bit too.

—Renee Roederer

My good friend wrote this poem, and with her permission, I’d like to share it with you.

Light

Stop hiding
Stop pretending
Stop fearing
Their response
Stop waiting
For the perfect time
Yet
Led by the
Holy
Speak
It’s time
Love words
Of freedom
Into the dark
That those in shadow
Can enter the light
Oh lamp-carriers
Stars in the night
You were not lit
To hide the light

-Rev. Allison Becker

… to a theatre near me. Also, in addition to being brilliant, David Attenborough is cute.

Over the winter, I learned about the amazing skill of painted turtles.

I mean… Wow… Life is absurdly resilient sometimes.

Over the years, I’ve had many animal neighbors in the backyard, including a number of groundhogs. One of my favorites was a groundhog named Son of Spinach (at least, that was his name to me). Sadly, he died a few years ago. He was quite a character.

He didn’t show up every day, but he had a den nearby, so from time to time, he would show up in the backyard. And to say something both true and alliterative, Son of Spinach was so overly skittish. At the smallest noise, he would run away to hide, sometimes under the deck. This quality felt like an endearing, funny, sad combo.

Occasionally in the mornings, Son of Spinach would feast on the backyard grass quite out-in-the-open. And if I made the slightest sound, like unlocking the screen door, he ran for cover under the deck. I found myself wondering, how long will he stay down there? How much recoup time is necessary for the popping sound of a lock? How long will it be before he feels safe again?

Then, sometimes, I’d think of us – that is, we humans. We hide and recoup too. Sometimes, we need alone time or sustained opportunities for self and community care.

But other times, we just doubt ourselves.

When it comes to the second, I hope we know there’s a whole out-in-the-open living opportunity for us.

– Renee Roederer

There’s a plant in the Sahara Desert that can regenerate itself long after it has died. As much as 100 years later.

I recently watched this video in total amazement.

And it makes me wonder what could still be possible —
what could still take shape among us too —
we who are still living,
we who can choose, and
we who can become utterly surprised
when the unthinkable and the seemingly impossible presents itself.

–Renee Roederer

This week in my writing, I’d like to invite us to become students of nature. This may be well timed because I’ve been watching a lot of David Attenborough documentaries lately. 🙂 But also, over the last month, I’ve had the occasion to visit a lot of local parks in my town. There is always much to notice, discover, appreciate, and reflect upon.

There’s that saying, too: You learn something new every day.

Yesterday, I learned a new word — When springbok in Africa discover the joy of a rare rain in the Sahara Desert and the subsequent growth of new grass, they begin pronking.

As we begin a new month, we can practice slowing down and noticing.
As we begin a new month, we can practice appreciating what’s around us.
As we begin a new month, we can practice gratitude for what we can witness.

And this very day, may something cause you to jump for joy.

–Renee Roederer

At the end of the month, I always like to say thank you for following here at Smuggling Grace. I appreciate you taking the time to connect here, and as always, thanks for engaging too. I enjoy reading and hearing your comments virtually on the platform, in emails, or during real time conversation. Thank you!

And I’m always happy to expand the audience as well. Do you know anyone who might enjoy connecting with this blog? If so, feel free to pass it along. The more the merrier!

And I wish you a wonderful spring! Wherever you are, I hope you’re starting to have some lovely weather.

Thanks for engaging in community with me!

–Renee Roederer

Also at the end of the month, I always extend an invitation to support this blog on Patreon. Or! You can tip me with a coffee! Both of these are always great gifts, but are never expected. I appreciate you being here.