One thing that does not truly change is my admiration and appreciation of your writing, of your shared wisdom. It must be challenging to grab onto a moment when it is continually changing--like holding on to a flowing river. I am thinking that our changes--bodily, intellectually, perspectives, etc. could serve as a barometer of all the changes in our internal and external world. Our changing awareness of our world all begin at the level of our soul??
Thank you again, Roy for your kind words. My stubborn and controlling self ( which tends to be my much younger self) doesn’t want to make room for change. She wants the world to be good to everyone and. It to change. See how young and innocent she is? My older self says stay curious. You never know what change will bring.
Yes, we have to remain open minded, courageous and curious till the day we die. Yes indeed; we never know what changes are up ahead. And wise men say we have to tolerate, even embrace, uncertainty. Whew!
Thank you Gracie for these beautiful thoughts. I too see changes in me, loved ones, my community and the world. I have to remind myself to recognize and celebrate the good days and remember that all can change in a moment.
Beautifully written. I especially appreciated the observation that change isn't merely an interruption to life - it is woven into life itself. The older I get, the more I realize that too.
The one place my mind wandered, though, was to the One who does not change. Scripture holds these two truths together. Creation is always moving. Seasons come and go. Our bodies age. Relationships, circumstances, and even our understanding mature. Yet in the midst of all that movement, God's character remains steadfast. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
For me, that doesn't diminish the beauty of paying attention to the present moment. It actually deepens it. Because every fleeting gift - the flowers, the laughter of a child, the ordinary rhythms of a normal day - becomes a grace received from the unchanging Giver. The moments pass. His faithfulness does not.
I suppose that's why, even while embracing impermanence, my heart keeps returning to hope.
Renewal. Every morning. His mercies are new. Even after lament, the final note is hope. The world changes constantly, but the Lord who walks with us through every change remains the same.
Thank you for reading the post and for such a thoughtful and generous comment, Marpy! While my own reflections took me in a somewhat different direction, I appreciate hearing how your faith leads you to experience hope and steadiness in the midst of change. One of my favorite things about these conversations is seeing how the same piece can resonate differently with different readers. Thank you for adding your perspective so respectfully.
Thank you, Beth. I so much want to get comfortable with the tough parts of life. I guess constant change can be a positive but I just want the good days to stick around. 🤷🏻♀️
Sorry, I was in the middle of writing a response and we had to shelter/tornado warning. Anyway. My point was that the only constant in life is "Change". That definitely can be both scary and exciting. Depending upon one's perception of their life - this is totally different. That's what bogles my mind - what is the source of reference. We can only go by our own individual life experiences. Really enjoyed your article and take on this issue.
Thank you for the kind words, Barbara. I am wanting to appreciate change more than I used to. You’re right . It is about perception and I’m trying to practice seeing the constant change and letting curiosity be my guide.
Yikes! Tornado warning! I hope all is well? We don’t have those out here . I guess the closest we come to it is the newish earthquake warning alert - which needs refining and can’t predict all of them but at least science is working on it!
As I start the final round of helping my dearest friend succumb to a brain tumor, this brought a dual feeling of calm and tears. My friend has learned, through an unforgiving task master, the value of paying attention to what is here right now. Or, as a wise yoga teacher taught me, "just this". Thank you for your writing.
Oh, Anne, thank you for your comment. I’m glad you found something of value in the writing. Your friend is lucky to have you with them as they get ready to die.
Be here now. Yes. I like that even more succinct “just this”. Thank YOU for reading and adding to the conversation.
Oh yes! your friend is incredibly fortunate to have you there by her side as she faces imminent death. I imagine to leave this world alone and forgotten is the worst death.
Change is most definitely the norm. The truth of that becomes more clear with every year that passes - and there have been 81 of them. Years I was getting oriented to a new job. The woman I was traveling about with said “Don’t get too used to the way things are done around here because as soon as you do it will change”. It was true then and it is true now. I am grateful for those words of wisdom - and grateful as always for your wisdom and the way you express it. 💞
This hits home. Thank you for your insight.
Thank you, Carol. Change has been hanging around every corner of my life lately . I want to learn to both see it and appreciate it.
Dear Gracie,
One thing that does not truly change is my admiration and appreciation of your writing, of your shared wisdom. It must be challenging to grab onto a moment when it is continually changing--like holding on to a flowing river. I am thinking that our changes--bodily, intellectually, perspectives, etc. could serve as a barometer of all the changes in our internal and external world. Our changing awareness of our world all begin at the level of our soul??
Thank you again, Roy for your kind words. My stubborn and controlling self ( which tends to be my much younger self) doesn’t want to make room for change. She wants the world to be good to everyone and. It to change. See how young and innocent she is? My older self says stay curious. You never know what change will bring.
Yes, we have to remain open minded, courageous and curious till the day we die. Yes indeed; we never know what changes are up ahead. And wise men say we have to tolerate, even embrace, uncertainty. Whew!
Such beautiful writing—-and expressing what I know to be true- a good reminder- a mantra of sorts. Thank you.🙏
Wonderful post, and such interesting thoughts!
A thank you for the poem at the end, it is lovely to ponder not wasting a normal day.
I agree.
I can recall thinking how glib people sounded when they would say the only constant is change.
Wham!
They were right.
On the mark, Gracie, thanks.
They certainly are right!
Thank you Gracie for these beautiful thoughts. I too see changes in me, loved ones, my community and the world. I have to remind myself to recognize and celebrate the good days and remember that all can change in a moment.
Isn’t that the painful truth? I do the same and it helps keep the hard days in perspective. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Beautifully written. I especially appreciated the observation that change isn't merely an interruption to life - it is woven into life itself. The older I get, the more I realize that too.
The one place my mind wandered, though, was to the One who does not change. Scripture holds these two truths together. Creation is always moving. Seasons come and go. Our bodies age. Relationships, circumstances, and even our understanding mature. Yet in the midst of all that movement, God's character remains steadfast. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
For me, that doesn't diminish the beauty of paying attention to the present moment. It actually deepens it. Because every fleeting gift - the flowers, the laughter of a child, the ordinary rhythms of a normal day - becomes a grace received from the unchanging Giver. The moments pass. His faithfulness does not.
I suppose that's why, even while embracing impermanence, my heart keeps returning to hope.
Renewal. Every morning. His mercies are new. Even after lament, the final note is hope. The world changes constantly, but the Lord who walks with us through every change remains the same.
Thank you for reading the post and for such a thoughtful and generous comment, Marpy! While my own reflections took me in a somewhat different direction, I appreciate hearing how your faith leads you to experience hope and steadiness in the midst of change. One of my favorite things about these conversations is seeing how the same piece can resonate differently with different readers. Thank you for adding your perspective so respectfully.
Beautifully said Gracie.
Thank you, Beth. I so much want to get comfortable with the tough parts of life. I guess constant change can be a positive but I just want the good days to stick around. 🤷🏻♀️
Totally understandable.
Sorry, I was in the middle of writing a response and we had to shelter/tornado warning. Anyway. My point was that the only constant in life is "Change". That definitely can be both scary and exciting. Depending upon one's perception of their life - this is totally different. That's what bogles my mind - what is the source of reference. We can only go by our own individual life experiences. Really enjoyed your article and take on this issue.
Thank you for the kind words, Barbara. I am wanting to appreciate change more than I used to. You’re right . It is about perception and I’m trying to practice seeing the constant change and letting curiosity be my guide.
Yikes! Tornado warning! I hope all is well? We don’t have those out here . I guess the closest we come to it is the newish earthquake warning alert - which needs refining and can’t predict all of them but at least science is working on it!
As I start the final round of helping my dearest friend succumb to a brain tumor, this brought a dual feeling of calm and tears. My friend has learned, through an unforgiving task master, the value of paying attention to what is here right now. Or, as a wise yoga teacher taught me, "just this". Thank you for your writing.
Thank you for your writing. You made me cry and crying cleanses and strengthens our soul.
Agreed, Roy.
Oh, Anne, thank you for your comment. I’m glad you found something of value in the writing. Your friend is lucky to have you with them as they get ready to die.
Be here now. Yes. I like that even more succinct “just this”. Thank YOU for reading and adding to the conversation.
Oh yes! your friend is incredibly fortunate to have you there by her side as she faces imminent death. I imagine to leave this world alone and forgotten is the worst death.
Change is most definitely the norm. The truth of that becomes more clear with every year that passes - and there have been 81 of them. Years I was getting oriented to a new job. The woman I was traveling about with said “Don’t get too used to the way things are done around here because as soon as you do it will change”. It was true then and it is true now. I am grateful for those words of wisdom - and grateful as always for your wisdom and the way you express it. 💞