Like most readers, I want to tell you about the greatest book. I know, I know, everyone you know has the current “greatest book you must read”. I get it all the time too. I’ve learned to value those comments because friends and family think I’m a reader, so that is a huge plus. But this one – ahhh, this one is different. The name of the book is LifeCraft by Forrest Church. It is “a spiritual guide for grown-ups — this book doesn’t pander and it doesn’t apologize — it is simple and wise.” Joanne Woodward. I am assuming theJoanne Woodward.
Church is a Unitarian minister. His viewpoint of spirituality, God, the world, us, the sand on the beach, the clouds in the air – is wide and enveloping. His understanding of human beings is on a grand scale yet he is the first to admit his limited understanding. This is a book for people who want to begin, continue, change, or move in their own spirituality. Not a huge book (117 pages with a 2 page Afterword). But the pearls on each page weigh hundreds of brain cells each. I read a paragraph, and then want to read again just to absorb every word.
I am challenged by some words I don’t know (google it) and it makes me feel that he is well educated. I am more challenged by the spiritual suggestions he offers, as well as the gentle guidelines he suggests in attempting some of these spiritual hurdles (some are very low).
In one section, the author suggests that we make a list of 5 things for which we want to be remembered. That was what got my attention for a blog entry. This is action required. So I am going to ask you to consider this project. We will call it the “5 things” project. I started it yesterday with trouble, I must admit. So I ended up with more, and I’m guessing that if I continue to work on it, that list will expand. But eventually I’ll have to whittle it down to get to my true priority list. I also decided I would not include things that directly involved my family members (I’ll try to show how below) because that is a given for me. A kind of priority above priorities. A life reason, if you will. So here goes.
5 things I wanted to be remembered for (bad grammar, but its my project)
1) A book that encourages mothers
2) A legacy of students who have chosen the more difficult path of sustained growth and influence to help them keep finding their way.
3) Personal inspiration to others for positive change.
4) Being remembered as a great listener.
5) Keeping memories alive and children warm with quilts and photos.
This is my beginning. It may not be the ending for the “5 things”. This list could be modified many times. But it forces me to think through each of these as I go about living my finite life. I think that is a positive change.
And I offer a gentle challenge to you to consider your own project. Doesn’t have to be 5, but that does seem a manageable number.
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p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
Excellent question for reflection. I’ve been in a very reflective mood today also. Gosh, this could be quite a list I suppose, but hopefully the most important five as I see it today:
1 – Used what I learned from trials to help others
2 – Raised two well rounded, contributing members of society
3 – Stood by convictions
4 – Tenacity
5 – Lived life in reverse….got more rebellious and defiant and lived life my way as I aged
Let’s see.
1. She was gentle and kind.
2. She laughed out loud and often.
3. She shared whatever good bounty came her way.
4. She never lost her sense of wonder.
5. She never gave up.
Very nice. I like her.
Thanks…here’s hoping she stays that way.
What a lovely person you must be! Let’s see for me, how about the following:
1.) She was a daughter her parents could be proud of, and they were.
2.) She was unfailingly kind to children, the elderly and animals.
3.) Her word was her bond.
4.) She laughed, and inspired laughter in others, often.
5.) She never stopped learning.
Nice. I like it. And thanks for the compliment.