Arrival by Shannon Lipan
"When we approach (things) with reverence, great things decide to approach us." - John O'Donohue
This past summer, my family had a week in St. Augustine beach. I can't tell you (but I'm sure you've felt the same), how much I looked forward to this trip. Even, checking the pictures of our temporary home on VRBO over and over again, I felt desperate to arrive in this place.
I know over the years, there have been many times, I have rushed through arrivals. Getting the bags unpacked, making sure everyone had what they needed, and then finally taking a moment to sit and just be.
Well, this year, I approached my arrival differently.
I have been in love with the "Morning Altars" book by Day Schildkret and he has written a bit on the concept of arrival.
In his beautiful book, he states: "Come with the gift of your presence and attention.
To arrive is your sacred duty as a guest. Let yourself sit for awhile. Arriving asks you to cease your journeying, put down your bags, be welcomed in.
Let yourself be here...
by giving up the notion of trying to be anywhere else.
The place you are is longing for you to hear her voice, to bring her close, to let her touch you, change you.
And, for her, you have the gift of your attention and senses. "
But, I know when I arrived at this "Land" , I desired to be a good guest, I wanted to let myself be changed.
I took slow steps, I approached this nature beauty in a more consensual attitude.
I was struck at the ability of this change in my intention to affect my entire vacation.
I thought about how many times, I enter someone's home, business, or even the grocery, and I never truly "arrived". My body showed up but I left my mind and heart somewhere else.
I believe that when we allow ourselves to be fully present with our children and families, we are changed.
When, I read the words: "The place you are is longing for you to hear her voice, to bring her close, to let her touch you, change you.
And, for her, you have the gift of your attention and senses."
In place of "her" I feel the longing of our children.
It's so very simple what they desire.
They desire our witnessing.
When we can remember this, it's incredibly moving and simplifies everything in our lives.
How do children arrive in new places?
I wonder what we can learn if we allow ourselves to see through their eyes?
Day states, "Through our willingness to just slow down and sit with the land, listen and learn the ways to read her signs, it is possible to step out of our busy, distracted, incredibly self-centered lives and to step into something profound and mysterious."
Even though, I started Wonder Studio over 12 years ago now, I still feel the gift of being in this place with these young children and their loving caregivers.
Teaching here, being here... has the ability to renew and restore me...as long as I take a moment and Arrive.
But, I wonder...is the practice of "arrival" applicable to the grocery store? To the Dr. 's waiting room, to pain and suffering of those on FB?
Can I arrive to each moment, meet it for what it is, letting go of my judgements of "this is a moment I don't like" ?
I guess that is truly the journey of a lifetime.
"Break the spell of the known and to practice opening yourself to the changing, mysterious, and nuanced ways of a place. It is to practice being enamored by the ordinary. "
Day Schildkret
I feel as though it is something quite separate.
The spirit of the Wonder Studio asks to be witnessed and I have to remind myself each time, I cross her threshold.
I loved this: "step out of our busy, distracted, incredibly self-centered lives and to step into something profound and mysterious." I really feel Wonder Studio allows us to do exactly that for a full hour each week with our child. We take the time to connect with our child, follow their lead, see their interest, and witness the profoundness of childhood.
ReplyDelete