Declarative Prayer

This is new to me.
I got Julia Cameron's book Prayers to the Great Creator from the library. The first part is called Heart Steps and she says "The tone of these prayers may startle you" ( and it did) These prayers "do not beseech divine help, they assume it" These prayers speak to a "co-creative bond with a power greater than ourselves" (which is an image of God I can hold) Julia says "I don't ask you to believe...try them." And so I will.

I have already changed the way I pray in the mornings...from asking for help to be grateful to saying " I am grateful. I am compassionate..." It is an empowering way to pray.

This week I'm going to try reading ( out loud..because Julia's says that is they way they should be read) one of Julia's declarations each morning.

Updating my bucket list

I got the Seed Saver's catalog. The photo is of their tomato festival. I read the story of how Seed Saver's got started. And I remembered that I wanted to go visit last year (look at the photo..who wouldn't want to go )...which made me think of a few more things I wanted to do...which made me think of my bucket list.

Julie's Bucket List
-Visit the Seed Savers farm ( it's in Iowa)
-Plant in my front yard ( prairie and veggie garden)
-Canoe the WI river from Spring Green to the Mississippi River ( one trip)
-Travel the Amazon River
-Visit Italy
-Scuba dive

-See the Redwoods (we are planning a trip Summer 2010)
-Go on a Vision Quest ( I'm trying to find out if I can do this is WI)
-Visit Rachel's Carson's beach in Maine
-See Jane Goodall's chimps ( visit Africa)

Photo Credit: flickr shylobisnett/3906935974/

Walking a Labyrinth

I walked the FUS labyrinth today. I love labyrinths. I felt calm and centered just walking into the room. My intention for walking was " What do I need to learn today?" Soon after starting to walk...I almost missed a turn...and then I did miss one and had to back up. I was walking too fast...which was a reminder that I often go to fast in my life. Long lists for each day, scheduling multiple things a day, realizing when I am done, that I have eaten too fast.

I sat in the center and asked "What do I need to do?" and the answer for me was "Savor". I was reminded that if you want to enjoy a meal...serve just a little bit on small plates. I eat slower when there is less food...and tend to enjoy what I eat much more.

This week I will practice savoring. I will try to schedule a little less, walk a little slower, taste life one bite at a time.

Photo Source: flickr mtsofan