Fireside Chats and Kitchen Table Talks

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Pat

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Fireside Chat.”

The Daily Post has asked: “What person whom you don’t know very well in real life — it could be a blogger whose writing you enjoy, a friend you just recently made, etc. — would you like to have over for a long chat in which they tell you their life story?”

Best conversations come about in fireside chats or just sitting around the kitchen table. I think it’s when we learn the most from each other, when our hearts open to give our opinions and tell our stories.

How would it feel to clear our agendas for a day and sit down to talk with someone purely with the intention of listening and sharing what’s happening in our lives. Maybe, we need to hear about an experience or exchange different points of view on something. Continue reading →

Flickering Awareness

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Pat

Used with Permission — *Karen Davis Photo at Facebook’s “Open Door Dreaming”

My awareness flickers ― on and off. Have you ever had that happen to you? So many times I catch moments when I feel a special warmth and connection. I try hard to hold onto it but it fades, like how *Oriah describes so well in her poem below. Continue reading →

Acknowledgements: "Wake Up With The Beloved" - Oriah (c more...

There Is Room At The Table For Everyone

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Pat

Dandelions by Recent Photos The Common Galleries World Map App Garden Camera Finder – Courtesy of MSN Clipart

It’s a new year and I’ve already made my 2015 statement ― “Invite the Miraculous” ― in my last post, “Happy New Year and a Look Back”. Now, I’ve been trying to find the perfect theme on which to start.

I think I’ve got it from listening to these songs by *Carrie Newcomer. Her words and music speak to my heart in the vision I have this year, actually for a while now, on what I long to do ― gather and inspire. No gift is too small ― there is room at the table for everyone.
Continue reading →

Happy New Year And A Look Back

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Pat

Happy New Year by Thanasis Anastasiou

The New Year 2015 is upon us and, as 2014 pauses to say good-bye, I hope it was a good one for you as it was for me. I can’t say I’m one for making resolutions for the New Year or have accomplished all that I wanted in the past year. I’m having enough trouble learning how to be present with what’s now.

But, if I were to reflect, I would be happy with what I undertook and achieved. With this writing, I will have posted 40 stories for the year. I know it’s not a lot compared to most but with what I’ve shared in my life and what has inspired me, I hope it has mattered.

Here’s a little taste of 2014 and what I did around my kitchen table at “Plain Talk and Ordinary Wisdom”: Continue reading →

Acknowledgements: "Happy New Year" Photo by
Thanasis more...

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Pat

I can’t believe Christmas is almost here. It seems just yesterday we were celebrating Halloween. I love this time of year when there’s magic in the air. I feel the innocence of childhood looking back at me from the beginning to now, like two bookends.

It’s true what they say about growing old and that we become young at heart. We even take on a familiar semblance of our baby self with no teeth or hair. Haha ― no, I’m not there, yet, though my heart feels young.

Fun comes out and we get to play with the grandkids, see their eyes sparkle and revel in their joyful laughter. We take part in the hustle and bustle, singing carols, sending and receiving Christmas cards and worshipping in our different faiths.

But, oh! The magic of Toyland ― do you remember? As the song goes, “Once you pass its borders, you can never return again”. Continue reading →