Happy Wednesday TSJ Friends,
Have you ever had an ah-ha or “light bulb” moment that you still remember clearly? Psychologists and spiritual leaders often call them “felt experiences.” They include and transcend intellectual reasoning.
On February 2nd I had such a moment. It was a soul searing ah-ha moment.
It all started when I happened across a blog posted in an online magazine I subscribe to. It was written to help writers deal with discouragement and self-criticism. The title gave a hint of what was to come. “Write what only you can write!” I read every word. “Be unapologetically you!” the author (Ryan Fan) said and it has echoed in my mind many times since that evening.
Beverly’s Breakfast Breakthrough Message:
The words “Be unapologetically you” continued to marinate in my heart every day. These are ordinary words from the intellectual point of few but when experienced with the heart they take on new meaning!
A week later, after a good night’s sleep I had awakened feeling great. No pain and no trips left for John’s radiation treatments! I stumbled into my office, turned on my meditation candle and settled in my chair to begin the day in a calming way.
I had actually prepared for this the night before with a journal and a pen handy along with my new book “Every Moment Holy,” a cherished Christmas present from my sister. The title alone has become a sort of mantra for me during the day, sharpening my awareness of its truth (even in moments we would not describe as holy). I was in the zone. (It had been a long time since I felt this well.)
When I finished my quiet time, I went to the kitchen with a light heart to greet John and enthusiastically welcome the day. I had been pondering what changes might happen in my life and dreams if I could practice fully embracing being the Me that God loves. (I find this to be very difficult.)
John and I both felt great and decided to go out for breakfast! This is something we used to do without giving a thought about being safe. That is – until the pandemic. But it was early enough we decided to scout it out.
As it turned out we completely reveled in this little escape. Once we pulled into the the large family restaurant parking lot (with only three cars in it), we tightened up our masks and decided to check it out.
With a light step of happiness we walked through the double doors. A young, cheerful hostess led us to a booth that felt sufficiently isolated. We settled in quickly and with winks of happiness and love across the table, we relaxed.
Then a lovely tall, slender server greeted us. Her long brown hair was swept up in a loose pony tail giving her a youthful free-spirited appearance…
“Good morning! I am Beverly. I will be your server today,” she chirped.
We ordered coffee and breakfast. Life felt good. We were being served. The coffee soon warmed us and the caffeine kicked in so we had a delightful conversation. We enjoyed a delicious Mexican Omelet together with home fries and toast slathered with orange marmalade. What a way to begin a day!
But something else struck a cord in me was Beverly’s greeting. It echoed things I have been pondering about the importance of being the you that God made and loves.
Be “unapologetically you.” We all know the saying, “only you can be you; everyone else is taken.” But it has taken on new life for me. As the blogger shared his own stories he reminded all of us that “only you can tell your stories!” His stories as a teacher and a Christian resonated with mine – as stories do.. .as well as our life lessons.
Beverly’s greeting seems seems so ordinary doesn’t it? But her message and manner of being in the world modeled what being “unapologetic” might look like! She was clear, authentic, kind and straightforward. And she was very present in the moment.
After we lingered over our coffee a bit, John went to pay the bill while I watched her greet people at their tables.
And watching her touched my heart. She set a positive tone at every table through her own unapologetic manner. She came across as being assured and assuring.
Is that what being unapologetic looks like, I wondered?
Isn’t that like the Good Shepherd . . . assured and assuring?
After observing her for a few minutes, I signal her to stop by our table. “I just want to thank you not only for your service, which is excellent, but to tell you that you have a beautiful spirit and that is a gift to us,” I said, “and I can see your beauty behind your mask. It radiates.”
I meant it. And through misty eyes, she said, “Thank you very much!” She clearly felt the love in return.
When we got home I was fully satisfied in body and soul. I happily trudged through the snow with my pitcher of seeds for the birds.
As I fed the birds and watched them joyfully eat the seeds (like I devoured Ryan’s words) it occurred to me then that I could practice what I am learning with you faithful friends:
So here it goes ….clearing my throat . . .
“Happy Wednesday TSJ friends! I am Margie. I will be your server. May I start you off with some seeds of wisdom?”
You, after all, are a limited edition of one. And so am I.
Valued by God.
Easy to say.
Hard to absorb.
Tough to feel.
And so very true.
What does “Be unapologetically you” mean for you and for your unfulfilled dreams?
I love your emails and texts! I welcome feedback, kind criticism and your stories.
Margie and Solomon
