Eucalyptus 2, Oil on Paper, 15″x21,” inspired by a cluster of dead leaves lying on the deck.
One of the commenters on the last Blank Slate offered something worth pondering. My title was Hey, Look; Joan responded with Hey, Linger. She exampled with her insight that if she gave a person more time in conversation they came more out of themselves, expressed more and (though she didn’t say this) probably appreciated her more.
I’ve been thinking this is a good word for us in many ways.
Time, Einstein said, is relative. It goes fast or slow, depending. Sometimes fast is good; other times slow is better.
Like in romance. Never good if it’s rushed.
A friend once told me that what a woman wanted is time. “Time in what?” I asked her. “Everything,” she said. Being a woman I expect she knew.
I suppose it can be taken to the extreme. I just watched a documentary, 180 Days on Lake Bical. That’s in Russia, the largest body of fresh water in the world. When it freezes over the ice is two feet thick. He was there winter through summer, living out of a trappers cabin, by himself, his provisions, his books, his dogs, and a whole lot of time. He had much to say about that most of all. On an earlier adventure he’d traveled the length of Eurasia where he’d seen a lot in a hurry. On this one he saw less more. It changed him.
All good things are worth the pondering.
Any book worth reading is worth reading twice. Same with a movie. Or how about just a paragraph.
Here’s the word for it all: Absorb.
Another: Gaze.
Another: Don’t rush.
Jesus said, “Could you not wait with me one hour?”
Ah, but the spirit is weak. How many moments have passed we could have relished better? Maybe we can return. Happily there will be more. More and more and more.
Linger longer . . . you’ll see.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
8:59 am
Lots to ponder here. Time is good, but waiting is hard. I guess if you are busy absorbing the wait doesn’t seem so long. Thank you for the reminder.
9:05 am
One thing I wish I could control is the lingering taste and enjoyment of food. But (gulp) – down it goes and so a need for another (and another) which is rarely good. Maybe Einstein should’ve worked on that. Food glorious food – can you tell I just made one of the best chocolate cakes ever?!? But no matter how I tried, could not make the taste linger. Now, tasting God – that can linger forever. More bites the better. Still working on that one.
9:21 am
Just heard the song FOUR DAYS LATE last night and was already thinking about trying to rush the Lord in “planning” my daily life…..thank you…..could it be He’s trying to get my attention?
10:13 am
This is not only beautiful in words, but in meaning. Thank you. My father would come to eat dinner with us in his late late 80’s. After he cleared his plate, I would ask him what he wanted. His answer was always, “Time, just more time.” He passed away a few years later. How I wish I could give that to him now.
10:42 am
Many know that I’ve lost much of my voice this past year, but it’s turning out to be a good thing. It forces me to stay… and remain, and listen where I didn’t do so before. My music tastes have expanded, too, and I now listen more to artists like Jeff Johnson, who’s compositions draw me into a more reflective and reverent place. I think there is real wisdom in what you’re drawing attention to here, Hyatt. “Live, love, and laugh” is all good, but “linger, notice, and abide” is perhaps equally as beautiful.
5:34 pm
Hmmmmmmm. I am a natural at “taking time”. Always has been a pleasure for me to sit, ponder, reflect, read it again (a touch of A.D.D. I think) and simply think about what I’ve just read, eaten, discussed or heard. I think it’s in my genes as my mother was a quintessential thinker; one to reflect and ponder, naturally and often.
As I age I notice, with some pleasure, that I have more time to absorb and reflect without feeling guilty and it’s a total pleasure. Truly one of the blessings when reflecting and meditating on God’s Promises, His unending blessings and His powerful Words.
8:24 pm
This is truly a lost art in our culture in this era. Even knowing it, we still have a hard time practicing it. It’s a great reminder and encouragement to take action to slow down and go deeper. Thanks for your insight again.
7:57 am
And hopefully more from Moore, couldn’t resist!
10:18 am
I wonder if I can find the cabin on Lake Bical on VRBO. HA!! Maybe not for 180 days, a week or two would do me. I think I’ll watch the documentary before booking any flights though.
Thanks for the reminder to slow down Hyatt.
6:38 pm
Hello Hyatt;
I had not checked in for some time, for no other reason than…I’ve been too rushed. So, after having heard from you (thank you), I checked in on this one, and it is just what the Great Physician ordered.
In response to your notes I was going to reference the word “ponder”, which, when I scrolled into the comments, appeared in Ashley’s first line. Pondering requires some effort. It doesn’t come naturally to me. It requires turning things off, both outside and in. But it can be learned, if I linger, if I surrender.
I enjoyed Marty’s comments about feeling less guilty over sitting still. That has been a refreshing discovery for me as well.
“In returning and rest shall ye be saved. In quietness and confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30.15)