On My Walks

On My Walks

Anne DoyleLeave a comment

Two words from my walk: contrails and cows.

I looked up at the sky towards the Foothills and saw six white feathery lines marking where jets had passed. Falsely they appeared to come right out of the mountain like steam from a volcano. I wondered what the sky would look like if each plane that flew left a line in the sky. Immediately, those maps that mark the trajectories of airlines in the onboard flight magazines came to mind. How lucky we are that the sky isn’t littered with permanent marks from each airplane.

As I looked skyward, my nose picked up a familiar scent: cow. I scanned the field below me and found the cows have returned to the ranch just over the hill from my walking trail. All summer they were off on some distant acreage feasting on grasses of unknown delights. Now they have come home for the winter where the rancher can more easily subsidize their diet when the snows come and the ground is covered.

Then, as my mind wandered, my two thoughts merged and I wondered what the field would look like if the trajectory of each cow moving around the pasture remained as a residual line in the air.

I’m glad that history doesn’t leave a visible trace of either cows or contrails.

On My Walks

On My Walks

Anne DoyleLeave a comment

When I walked today, the sun had passed over the Foothills so much of the target of my gaze was in shadow. But when I looked up, the second ridge of the mountains was bathed in bright light. Like a spotlight, the sun drew my attention to the hilltop. Everything seemed to stand out–the trees, the rocks, the terrain. It seemed incredible since the sun had been “down” where I was for quite a while, but on the other side of the hills, it was still bright daylight.

Once the sun sets, the air cools and it feels like something is lost. Interesting what blocking the rays will do…

On My Walks

On My Walks

Anne DoyleLeave a comment

Why did changing over from daylight savings time cause such a disruption to my walking schedule? I’m not sure. I had been happily walking in the mornings but after the time switch (and the cooler weather, to be honest), I decided to try walking in the afternoons.

It’s not working. When I started the day with a walk, it got done; if I leave it until later, it’s dinner time before I remember that I didn’t hit the trail. And it’s dark.

It occurs to me that making any significant schedule adjustments takes time to acclimate. I can blame it on the time change or the weather, but isn’t it really about me not putting on my coat and heading out the door? Hmmm…is it all about me? I wonder…

Perhaps I should go outside right now, wonder and walk??

Words

Words

Anne DoyleLeave a comment

What we see, and like to see, is cure and change.  But what we do not see and do not want to see is care, the participation in the pain, the solidarity in suffering, the sharing in the experience of brokenness.  And still, cure without care is as dehumanizing as a gift given with a cold heart.

–Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude, 1974

Workshops-archival

Coming 13 December — Listening with Expectation

Anne DoyleLeave a comment

What is the Listening with Expectation Workshop?

  • The coming of Advent gives us the opportunity to Listen with Expectation, to experience the flow offered by the Spirit.
  • When the flow between speaker and listener is disrupted, the consequences often include sadness, anxiety or anger – and yet sometimes it is difficult to recognize where those feelings come from. Participants will learn about the Triangle of Attention and how it affects the flow between speaker and listener.
  • Each of us needs to speak and to be heard, and still we put up barriers to both telling and listening. Why? Participants will learn more about the barriers and about listening to what’s not said.
  • Those in attendance will practice listening to self, to each other, to the world, and to the Spirit.
  • The format will be informal with a blend of presentation, discussion, and small groups.

When will Listening with Expectation take place?
Saturday, 13 December from 9 a.m. until noon. The season of Advent (which means “coming”) is particularly appropriate for Listening with Expectation.

Where will the Listening with Expectation workshop be held?
The workshop will be held at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 2425 Colorado Boulevard, Boulder, Colorado, 80302.

Who should come to Listening with Expectation?
All are invited to attend. Those involved in pastoral care, visiting ministries, listening and visiting programs will find the workshop relevant.

How does one register?
The workshop is free. Please register by Thursday, 11 December by sending an email with your name, contact info (email, phone, address), and church affiliation (none necessary) to Anne at attentiontolife.gmail.com. By signing up, you will help make certain there are enough refreshments, handouts and chairs, so please let us know if you plan to attend. If you have any questions, please email Anne.

Who is the facilitator?
Anne Doyle is a perceptive psychologist with a private practice focusing on personal formation. Anne uses Intensive Listening to help her clients become more perceptive in their experiences of the world, of others, and of themselves. Anne also works with groups nationally (e.g., at the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado) and internationally (e.g., the Convocation of American Episcopal Churches in Europe).