Winter is Here. Your World May Narrow, How Will You Go Deep?

Essay by Karen Schwisow

Wayne and I had our 30^th wedding anniversary in October.  In this weird COVID world we decided to celebrate by driving to Montana, a place we have never been, and do lots of hiking at Glacier National Park.  Except we took the worst kind of Pacific Northwest weather with us and every day was a game of outsmarting the rain.  We spent more time in our little one room rental than we ever planned.  Author Kate Bowler said, “Life has shrunk to the size of the room we’re in. But when the world is no longer wide, may it be deep.”

What does it mean to have a life that is deep?  How to make that a reality?

Apparently the first thing I have to do is hold an inner hissy fit when my plans are foiled AGAIN.  Then, I write in my journal so I have a record of  how unfair it all is.  Finally, I wrap myself in a blanket, sit somewhere cozy and get out of my own way.  I read something inspirational to remind me that the complaining voice in my head is not the biggest part of me. Then I close my eyes and  I watch the insane mental chatter tumble through my mind.  In time my breath slows, my body settles and Peace flows in through the gaps between the thoughts.

“Gratitude is the child of attention.” – Kate Bowler

In that peace come unbidden thoughts of appreciation for the smallest gifts.  The softness of the blanket, the tree turning gold right outside my window, the fact that I still breathe, the guy in the other room who waits for me.

When we have precious little control over outer circumstances, wisdom lies in tending to what we can influence in meaningful ways.  It takes some effort and discipline.  The way I walk through my day, small as it may seem, matters.

Going Deep doesn’t have to be serious or heavy either. When we were told that the studio had to close down again Suzy had the brainstorm to make humorous videos for you. ” We all need some levity!” she said. Her first brainchild is below and although we don’t expect any calls from Hollywood soon we did crack ourselves up endlessly. It was silly and it was fun and we plan to do more!

Please join for us a laugh; connect with us on zoom and tend to your own body and heart; make your own funny video and share it with us!   We are grateful for YOU.