Category: Anecdotal

(title from Song:John Denver)

I have only appreciated ‘mystical’ experiences

later in life – not because I didn’t have any such experiences

rather because I didn’t have the language helpful to wrap

around such experiences. I think we have a lifetime of

such unique experiences – things that are beyond the everyday

that, if pondered, are treasures. One such experience happened

to me on the way with my Dad to feed the pigs. Seemingly prompted,

I stepped off the slide with the drums of swill, and

sat down in the about one metre high golden strawlike grass.

It was a delicious autumn day and I remember savouring the

streaming down of the sunshine which seemed to be eating into

and through my skin, into my inmost being. I was aware in that

moment sensing a connection with the elusive mysterious Higher

One who was beyond all my conceptions. In hindsight this, I see was

a revelation through the mysterious. In that experience

no name was given but somehow I can return to this experience

today and rejoice in the revelation which now seems to be a

gift to treasure.

I see it now as a connection of ‘knowing’. ‘Be still and know’.

Something in me ‘knew’ – no I couldn’t and can’t prove it. I don’t

even want to, it is a mysterious knowing.

Some would call this a mystical experience. It was a foretaste of

what can happen in the silences. Some of the best gifts of

travelling with this mysterious one is that I can ask re my puzzling

everyday realities, my desires a bit out of reach, my griefs, and there in

the silence the messages come. Sometimes not so. The static

of my life may get in the way or perhaps it’s a matter for holy

waiting.

Should I comb through my life there would be other experiences

Where I know ‘the mysterious presence’ is with me calling me

forward through fears, disasters, confusions, so called coincidences,

glimpses that came not by my intellect but rather to my heart and

my intellect bringing a feeling of wellbeing, delight, and gratitude.

Take a look through your experiences. See the experiences that

You didn’t manoeuvre yourself into but they just happened. Call it

mystical for it is, but really don’t get carried away with the ‘oooaah’

part of it. To me it is quite simply the unexplainable connection

that is available to every human to look and see. The Word says:

‘Taste and see that the Lord is good!’ As I go on I notice that connection

is more and more delicious.

I was living in a small town in NSW having left Adelaide with my husband who was taking up a new teaching job in a local primary school. Our three children went to school each day and I found myself asking ‘what on earth am I to do with myself?’ One particular morning the whole family troop, except me, went off on a trip to the snow. Housework did not appeal to my search for fulfilment so I headed to Albury some 45 minutes away.

A short burst of shop therapy may just do the trick – divert the encroaching blues and avoid the unwanted misery of wife discontent. It did neither nor come close to drowning my longing quest for satisfying involvement in life. As I trudged along the long main street a college sign caught my eye. I walked in thinking a nice little TAFE course may at least be a temporary solution.

The receptionist said: Yes, but what sort of course do you really want? I returned: ‘Mmm..no no just show me what courses you have and I’ll choose’. She tried again:’What do you really want?’ This time with emphasis on the ‘really’. I thought: ‘Oh really!’And plunged on with frustration visible: ‘I can’t do what I really want!’ ‘Why not?’ she prodded and out came ‘I’m too old’ (I was in my third decade!) Ignoring this intended blockage she persisted: ‘What is it? What do you really want?’ ‘Hmph! O.K. ‘Well I’ll tell her why!’ thinking I’d stop this nonsensical conversation! ‘I’ve always wanted to be a teacher ever since I felt obliged to leave school to satisfy my Dad’s idea of a satisfying career in a bank. I haven’t done my Senior!’ She would not be daunted! But no. She says: ‘No matter – you just do the adult entry test. This is a teacher college of training.’ I’ll get the papers. Briskly she sorted the details as I blindly followed her lead.

I enrolled mid term. With sheer delight I relished the learning that fitted me so well. My younger learning friends thought I was completely ‘up a tree’ as I soaked in new thought and found the challenge of assignments a treat! I graduated with good grades and leapt into further study and a teaching career that lasted seventeen years.

I did not get her name. I never got to thank her. I simply remember her with a tonne of gratitude. The receptionist who cared enough for the real me, who ignited my thirst for learning and opened a door that I didn’t even recognise was there. The receptionist who believed in seeking our heart’s desires. Because of her I have found it satisfying to encourage others to dare to dream and be who they really are!

Yesterday someone said:’ the fire is so near! The water bombers are overhead. Makes it real.’
That happened to us last week. The smoke was thick. The day was hot! The water bombers were incessantly dropping one load, reloading and back at it again. Reminded me of WW2.....well if I’d been in it it would have sounded like that.

I looked out of the bedroom window. Lewi was out in the garden like it was a normal day. I spoke through the mesh. ‘What do you think? It seems much closer. The neighbours are out at their car. Looks like they’re ready to go. The TV said:’watch and act.’ That caught Lew’s attention. ‘ What should we take? Lew was soon at his desk, raking through papers.

The water bombers were succeeding. The fire was quelled.

This little experience made me realise that the next step towards leaving would have really been scarey. And yet people are staring flames in the face daily and through the night.

I salute the courage of the fire fighters and residents under severe threat. I’d like to hire a SKYWRITER to message across Australia: You little beauties, Day and night ....You little beauties! You little beauties!

Oh I’ve just started blogging! Perhaps it shows! 😊👌🏽Good deduction! I may have to have some good advice. I am the only one commenting thus far! 😊🐥one is better than none!
What’s your best blogging advice? What tips on presentation? Not sure how to upload a picture yet!
My kids are great! But really sometimes they need space to do their own thing!
My passion is writing in various forms! I just write and know it’s ok to do just that. But I’d love to know if you read reflective anecdotal stuff? Or should I ...well what? Your ideas welcome!
I’ve set a time frame for this venture? At least give it a year!
I am a lover of all that is of the Divine. He’s in my bones so yes love that track!
Be my first comment and you’ll have my wild appreciation!

The wind blew and the young mangoes could not withstand it. The next morning many lay lifeless on the ground. Never mind. There are still quite a number hanging hanging on. We are grateful.

A month passes, another bigger stronger wind arrives. Sinking heart. Still more unripened fruit descend to the ground. There’s still some left.

I never thought till today: O Lord protect our mango tree! Grant it rich lush fruit to be shared, ah there I’ve said it. Have to carry through the sharing. Being true to my own ideals can challenge.

The fruit is rich, exquisite and a delight to my palate Lord. Thank you for this tree that at first I thought shouldn’t be placed among the flowers and decorative bushes. It crinkled it’s nose and showed me otherwise. It’s done us mighty proud!

Bad stuff blows into our lives. Sometimes we cannot endure. It costs when we have to give up something we love! And on occasion some more bad stuff pokes its head in where it’s not wanted.

Lord, by Your Spirit Wind bring strength to endure knowing you are the great and rich Lord of lush mangoes.

I did the Blogging for Beginners’ course online supplied by Australian Writing Centre. Well actually I have done only 2 modules. I was so keen here I am giving it a go! Was hoping for a great stunning heading but see I need to investigate that later.

My Primary Teacher for 7 years was beautiful Beatrice. Eyes twinkling she taught me about unicorns. ‘They’re really real’ she said. Anything she said was true, just was!

I’ll always remember this gem of humanity. She helped me experience belonging. On many mornings we met at the hat rack where she chucked me under the chin and merrily chortled ‘Good morning Uni’. That merry eye gaze and warm greeting meant the world to me. Later she coined the phrase ‘unionealone’, directed it at me, and I absorbed the love - you belong, unique, precious, you matter.

I know it’s true for me and all of us. I love to pass this belief along to others for it is life affirming, impelling, inviting one to be the best of their real selves to the world. When I look at perceived weaknesses in others my lens is blurred. Seeing potential is possible for every human being on the planet.

BEATRICE.....I salute you!I’d like to share a few more Beatrices with you!