There are so many berries around now, August. Berries and bugs. It reminds me that there is plenty for all the animals. They do not worry about where their food will come from, or what the future will bring; they are always given just what they need, when they need it.
I will probably end up getting an internet connection next week for the convenience of having all the online things I do more immediate. But I have mixed feelings about it. I end up writing notes to myself to remember the things I am supposed to do while online, then forgetting the notes.
But there is a slowness - and open-ness - that comes from not being always-connected. I read a less wide range of things and am more involved in the book that I am reading now -
Hannah’s Child by Stanley Hauerwas, fascinated with the spiritual workings of an extrovert who is also theologically brilliant. I guess I never imagined that an extrovert could have a deeply developed “inner life” with little or no self reflection. His personal theology has been distinctly refined by friendships. And perhaps too, by the action of writing.
Nice photos, it reminded me of sitting under the trellises overgrown with grapevines in my Uncle Tommy's backyard in Pittsburgh. We would sit in the shade and smell the grapes. Lazy days...
ReplyDeleteBeing a "5" on the ennegram (introvert) and having a boss who was an "8" (the direct opposite) in a previous job - we drove each other crazy at times - they say because each lacks what they know they need in the other.
I wonder how well you and Stanley would get along? Maybe it's less how well you get along and more what you learn/grow.
I definitely think that we cover each others' blind spots, Marc, and we are each so peculiar in our own ways. Stanley was fully involved in community and relationship. I think that he carries some of my missing parts, at least in a more overt way than I do. His 2nd wife was a very contemplative introvert - an ordained priest, actually. I don't know that I have ever read a Protestant theologian, and I was most impressed. I read Buddhists, or Sufi mystics, or atheists - but not Protestants. It helped me to break out of my Catholic bias.
ReplyDeletePS. I'm an enneagram "one", and I forget the Myers-Brigg thing, but definitely an introvert.
ReplyDeleteah the "one" so's Richard Rohr who wrote my bible on the enneagram. Interesting, he compares a 1 and a 5 to be something Lucy and Charlie Brown relating as I remember....
ReplyDeleteAs a 1 he always makes sure that his apartment is clean before he leaves just in case if he gets in an accident and dies people will not say he kept a messy house. This sounds so much like my 1 Mom I had to laugh.
Five are all eyes...
I am a "one" also, I believe. I must confess to doing a thorough cleaning before I leave for a couple of days. My reasoning is that I like to return to a tidy home, a clean slate, a peaceful orderliness. I feel indulged. The idea that I may die and not wanting people to know I keep a messy house is not far from the truth, however. I avoid inviting friends in if my place is messy. (It is often messy, truth be told!)
ReplyDeleteThis is from somewhere:
ReplyDelete"The One
The One, which is in the gut space, is described by Riso as The Reformer. The One is driven by the need to be perfect and to set in order everything in his or her world. The One is intolerant of imperfection in themselves or others. They see themselves and their way as correct. The One will ensure that the "i's" are dotted and the "t's" crossed and they will oversee events to ensure that everything runs perfectly. You can have confidence in the organizational ability of the One. But they can be intimidating, even irritating. If something goes wrong, particularly as a consequence of your neglect, run for cover. The sin of the One is anger, or resentment. It is this anger that empowers them. Ones are significant achievers. Their achievements are energized by the need to put the world right."
Mess is something that I still have trouble coming to terms with but I work on it about everyday - you can't be too picky w/4 kids...
and you have to decide where you want to put your energy and time - and where you put your heart and all that....
I clean a lot too, when I get a day off and an opportunity. In fact I did a massive one on my last 2 days off - it makes me feel better psychologically....
on the other hand, I grew up in an environment where it was taken to extremes
That description rather suits me to a "T". [I fussed over the position of that period! ;)]
ReplyDeleteMess is also a nonspecific and ultimately relative term. Mess for a perfectionist may be just a tad untidy for a more balanced soul.
Oh gosh, look what all I miss not having an internet connection. I definitely clean the house before leaving for awhile!
ReplyDelete