#Women : Elevation Grooves

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Virginia

This is for girlfriends out there. This morning I stepped on the scales, not usually a good thing (especially after indulging in a chocolate splurge yesterday.)

Before going down the rabbit hole of shame I started bouncing around the kitchen, exercising to my favorite U2 songs “Elevation” playlist.

“The goal is elevation…”

“Get on your boots, your sexy boots…”

“You don’t know how beautiful you are…”

“Stand up for love…”

Bouncing, kicking, elevating my exercise grooves while trying to elevate my mind muscles at the same time.

“Love lift me out of these blues…”

So I blew it (a little) yesterday, but today is a new day. Bouncing around the kitchen (hitting replay) I may be Voluptuous Virginia at the moment (my sister’s encouraging spin for me when I complained about gaining 20 pounds) but that doesn’t mean the inside me is any less beautiful.

The outside me may need (a bit more) work.

“God loves you by turning your mistakes into grace, by constantly giving you back to yourself in a larger shape. God stands with you, not against you, whenever you are tempted to shame or self-hatred.”  Richard Rohr, OFM

Um, God? So glad You turn my mistakes & failures into grace by enlarging the (try again) inside me, but can You give me back my outer me shape a bit smaller (vs. larger?)

With my full cooperation (chocolate treats every now & then notwithstanding…)

grace, peace & (thinner) me grooves

Virginia : )

p.s. Actually lost 3 pounds, something to celebrate (if there weren’t so many more pounds to go.)

p.s.2. As a (very very) longtime U2 groupie, here’s a YouTube of U2’s official Elevation video that was also used with the Lara Croft Tomb Raider movie (also a fan.) Email readers you know the drill (link to Roses website for a look & listen.)

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#LOVEFORVB : Love for Virginia Beach

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Virginia

Oft times it’s hard to know what to do in the wake of horrendous violence like the shooting in Virginia Beach last week that left (FAR TOO) many people dead and injured.

A late Friday afternoon like every other in the Utilities Building (located next to the Va. Beach Courthouse) where employees were getting ready for their weekend plans.

Plans cut drastically short as a disgruntled colleague opened fire, killing 12 in rapid succession until the police killed him.

This incomprehensible violence has left this (usually) peaceful and fun resort city reeling.

Yet in the darkness of this tragic event, stories of heroism and courage are now surfacing of how the quick thinking actions of a few saved many lives in that busy municipal building.

I grew up in Va. Beach and have many friends and family there. It’s just a 45 minute drive (on a good traffic day) from Williamsburg.

My heart and prayers are with the families of the victims and all those touched in any way by this senseless violence, for the city of Va. Beach to recover from this tragedy with hope and love.

In the face of violent darkness like this, what can we do?

Try to be Love.

Try to be Light.

And do whatever we can to remember the lives of those killed.

They are not just statistics, but mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, life partners – with families and communities who will miss them.

Every day, for a long time to come.

photo: Va. Beach boardwalk (D. Woodward)

grace, peace & Light (in darkness)

Virginia

p.s. Had planned to post this quote today, so here it is. When asked if he feared death, poet Robert Lax (1915-2000) said: “We’re all brought into this life because Heaven loves us, and back to that Love we go.”

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Sorting Our Heart Fissures (Together!)

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Virginia

This photo taken years ago in Petra reminded me of something I highlighted in one of Joan Chittister’s books.

“To be able to face the difficulties of our lives, to admit them and resolve them instead of trying to swallow them in a cauldron of muffled anger, may be the greatest gift we can give those we say we love.  It certainly beats resenting them for the rest of our lives and punishing them secretly for doing what we never told them not to do.”   Joan Chittister, O.S.B.

This photo taken through an ancient doorway could represent the doorway to our hearts and what happens if we keep swallowing our challenges vs. facing them. Note the stark rock fissure (withered over many years in Petra.)

Can you imagine a heart fissured like that?

That’s the point of the quote: not to let anger fissure our hearts but to face up to ourselves, take ownership of our bads, & move toward resolution with the ones we love.

“I was wrong. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?”

Ten words.

Ten powerful words.

Resentment often festers like a dark winter storm in summer when we don’t share what’s up inside us.

If your loved one or friend Gets On Your Nerves when he, she, they do x or y, and you’ve never said “Please, I am allergic to your cat crawling all over me,” instead suffering the consequences resenting “why do they always make me play with their cat?”

Maybe it’s time to Be Honest.

“I am allergic to your cat…”

There, not so bad. It’s not their fault you’re allergic, but if they don’t know (because you haven’t told them) how does resentment build up that relationship?

Something to think about, that open honesty strengthens our relationships so we can face whatever’s on the horizon, together.

grace, peace & (honest) togetherness

   Virginia : )

p.s. Quote taken from Joan Chittister’s book, The Radical Christian Life – a Year with Saint Benedict. For more about her many (wonderfully amazing) books, check out her website: www.JoanChittister.org

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Snapshots & Whatnot: Navigating Hope

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Virginia

Sometimes when tough stuff wears us down, it may be challenging navigating our lives back (or onward) into hope-filled grooves. Today here’s a ‘how to’ lesson from water.

“Water does not resist. Water flows… water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone… If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”  Margaret Atwood

We might need a little (more) patience sorting out figuring out how to get around obstacles that loom large in our lives.

Especially when dark clouds on the horizon confuse us with uncertainty.

“Hope discovers what can be done, instead of grumbling about what cannot. Hope pushes ahead when it might be easy to quit. Hope opens doors where despair closes them.”  Rev. James Keller, M.M.

The everyday (all day) challenge: to NOT lose hope! Not an easy thing (to keep on hoping) but that’s where patient (yet active) navigation is a good thing.

“Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters… I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:16-19)

The best navigation I know to get over, around, under (through) an obstacle is to let God have a go at it. Sometimes – whoosh – our obstacles dissipate. Other times God navigates hope in us when we face obstacles so overwhelmingly big we can’t cope. God will provide sustaining Light to guide us through them.

“When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” Micah 7:8

grace, peace & navigating life (with HOPE)

Virginia : )

Photos: top photo taken @ Butchart Gardens, the rest on the BC ferry ride from Victoria to Vancouver.

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Victoria Day @ Butchart Gardens

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Virginia

A few years ago my brother & I happened to visit Canada on Victoria Day during a bucket list Rocky Mountaineer trip from Vancouver to Alberta (as previously blogged about here: Victoria Day in Canada.)

water taxis in Victoria, capital of British Columbia

Cheers to Canadian friends celebrating Victoria Day 2019! In honor of the day (& for the rest of us) I thought it would be fun to take a photo visit of Butchart Gardens, located in Victoria (appropriately named for Queen Victoria) on Vancouver Island.

Although I shared a few pics previously (Beauty @ Butchart Gardens) here are some different ones from Virginia’s pocket camera…

Beautiful fountains (with fish slurping about)

& beauteous flowers (showing off)

& walkways (serenity advised)

+ more fountains (with frogs sputtering about)

& rose gardens (in bloom)

a fragrant delight!

Willows weeping by ponds…

& spectacular water works (tall in heights)

& more beauteous flowers (all over the place!)

grace, peace & Butchart Garden beauty

Virginia : )

“After everything that’s happened, how can the world still be so beautiful? Because it is.” Margaret Atwood

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Snapshots & Whatnot: Overcoming Inertia

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Virginia

Have you ever been stuck in a state of inertia?

The dictionary defines inertia as “a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.” It’s easy sometimes to be set in our ways, to balk at change, to stop moving forward (maybe even give up?) To do nothing.

Blue heron @ Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

During a recent visit to Chincoteague Island my brother & I encountered a number of majestic blue herons. Fascinating how blue herons (& egrets) can stand perfectly still for long stretches of time.

This blue heron finally moved out into the water…

Albert Einstein said, “Nothing happens until something moves.” When we’re stuck in a state of inertia sometimes the hardest thing we can do is take that first step, but as we break the constraints of inertia the next step might not be (quite) so hard.

Blue heron reflecting next step…

That’s the key to overcoming inertia: taking small steps until soon we find we’re making bigger steps infused with forward momentum.

This blue heron is stepping forward at a good clip…

Sure, there might be setbacks, challenges (a few mountains & turbulent seas to cross) but if we keep on going, moving and trying…

We might find ourselves like this blue heron flying from the shade into the sunlight.

grace, peace & inertia-busters

Virginia : )

“Inertia is the death of creativity.” Austin Kleon

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Motherless (again) on Mother’s Day

Posted on May 11, 2019 by Virginia

Once again it’s Mother’s Day, a time to honor and love on our mothers with a little extra pizazz. For some of us this is also a day we miss our mamas (a little more than usual.)

It’s not easy being motherless on Mother’s Day when our mothers have gone on to Heaven.

Last week a new-ish colleague in my sister’s office in Wilmington (NC) announced, “Cindy is going to visit her mom this weekend.”

Another colleague piped up, “That will be a very long trip!”

As long and far away as Heaven seems, the memories and legacy of my precious Mama’s life are instantly close filling my heart and with her love, hope and joy. Last year I shared a letter written to Mama @ her Heavenly address (you can read it by clicking here: A Letter to Mama on Mother’s Day.)

This year to honor Mama here’s a poem I wrote for Mother’s Day years ago while working overseas. I sent it to my sister who printed it out & put it in a frame as a giftie for the actual day. Several folks requested a copy after I shared it @ Mama’s Memorial Celebration service (under sibling pressure that we all share something) so here it is again today.

The Woodward Family (a long time ago!)

The Mystery of Magnificent Motherhood

On Mother’s Day we celebrate the mystery of Motherhood. From the outside, Motherhood doesn’t seem all that mysterious but just simply mastering of responsibilities and physical tasks.  Responsibilities that include raising children to know right and wrong, not to hurt themselves, to study, and to grow from turbulent twos through the terrifying teens into functioning adults. Physical tasks involve delivering babies (washing them, carrying them, helping them walk) cooking, cleaning…

These, admittedly, amount to a great deal of work.

Magnificent Motherhood, however, is a mystery that involves more than just responsibilities and tasks. To understand this mystery, special qualities are required:

Magnificent Motherhood is SACRIFICE.

Selflessly sacrificing (all the time) & the last piece of chocolate cake.

Magnificent Motherhood is JOY.

Joy even when illness strikes, the pots overflow, & we act unruly.

Magnificent Motherhood is BEAUTY.

Beauty seen in us (even with pimples) & nurtured in our surroundings.

Magnificent Motherhood is GENEROSITY.

Generously sharing special gifts, checks, and Mr. Madison’s fudge.

Magnificent Motherhood is MUSIC.

Music composed in a heart overflowing with the joy of Jesus.

Magnificent Motherhood is ACTION.

Hugging us, holding our hands, and helping us through each crisis. 

Magnificent Motherhood is PRAYER.

Unceasing prayer – faithful communion with God (often on our behalf.)

Magnificent Motherhood is FAITHFULNESS.

Faithfulness to God (1st) and 58 years (!) with the Fabulous Fossil (our Papa!)

Magnificent Motherhood is LOVE.

Love shared from an inner spring that never diminishes…

It’s actually very simple.

The Mystery of Magnificent Motherhood is

MY MOTHER,

Virginia Francis Johnson Woodward

With love & appreciation from her daughter,

Virginia : )

p.s. As many of you know, my precious Mama loved chocolate (where my chocoholic genes come from?) Wish I could bake a big chocolate cake for her, but here’s a memory of sharing one of our favorite chocolate desserts – Carrabba’s Sogno di Cioccolata.

A daunting chocolate challenge…

Not too much for MY Mama!

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Snapshots & Whatnot: AMOOSING (A MOOSE!)

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Virginia

“From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.” Dr. Seuss

With chaotic challenges the world over, here’s to looking for opportunities to smile wherever & whenever we can (even in unexpected places.)

During a visit to Canada awhile ago my brother and I decided to go for a scenic walk in Banff National Park. Starting out on a such a journey, you never know what (or who) you might encounter…

a birdie (or two?)

a chipmunk (munching away)

with a buddy (at play.)

Traipsing along there was often more than one way to go (straight up the mountain or with the easy path flow?)

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.” Dr. Seuss

There were trees to see & places to rest, but then…

an unexpected EYE-FEST OF BEST!!

A MOOSE (on the LOOSE!)

AMOOSING as it was for us to see, we decided to to take care and (with littlest fanfare) we hightailed it out of there!

grace, peace & unexpected Amoosement

: )   Virginia  : )

“So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life is a great balancing act.” Dr. Seuss

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Scattering Seeds (quickie quote!)

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Virginia

Quickie quote today also presents a challenge –  do we have courage to continue scattering seeds of hope even when the wind gets fierce?

”I must set my face to the wind & scatter my handful of seeds. It is no big thing to scatter seeds, but I must have the courage to keep on facing the wind.”  Arab proverb

82DA83E7-55F6-4D04-AA42-9C4F4C30FCD6Scattering seeds of hope (possible @ sunset of our lives, too!)

grace, peace & seeds of hope

Virginia : )

p.s. Pics today via Virginia’s iPhone

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Snapshots & Whatnot: Snowy Egrets (& #HOPE!)

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Virginia

Whilst away visiting Chincoteague a few weeks ago, my brother & I enjoyed stalking all kinds of birds, but especially the egrets.

This snowy egret is playing hard to get…

okay, now why don’t you have a seat?

Making it easy for you – grab your close ups!

Great egrets (with their bright yellow beaks) are graceful and beautiful – yet the snowy egret with its black beak can be a bit on the quirky side. For some reason this trip snowy egrets captivated my attention.

They may look a little funky, but they open their wings just like great egrets spreading hope (& a little humor) around.

“Hope is the thing with feathers 

That perches in the soul, 

And sings the tune without the words, 

And never stops at all…” 

Emily Dickinson

Time for Mr. Snowy Egret to spread a little hope in other places…

grace, peace & snowy egret HOPE

Virginia : )

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