On Discipline
I'm only into my second day and I can already see how the 'discipline' idea is starting to work. Because I've made this pledge to write something every day I am drawn to think about it, and because I think about it I am drawn to reflect on the purpose of a Lenten discipline. The point of course is to consider our relationship with God.
Yesterday I mentioned the irony of adding something to a busy life, but as I considered when and what I would write today I realized that the discipline of adding something amounts to the same as 'giving something up' because in order to add I have to take away from something else.
Yet another idea came to mind this afternoon during my walk home for lunch on another gorgeous day. Mild and bright it seemed more like a March day in Yellowknife than just past the middle of February.
Anyway, I thought of another possible discipline - a pledge to do at least a half hour of reading from my current novel. I'm already a day behind and if I don't get busy this evening I'll be two days behind. However, even if it doesn't work out I can keep it in mind for Lent next year, or even as something to consider for another time altogether. After all a discipline is not just for Lent. In fact, all the reflection today caused me to consider those people who join a religious order and thus make discipline a part of their every day in every month and every year. I've never really understood that decision - or is it a calling? Until now...
Here's the story about today's photo. It was well into the evening before I was able to put finger to keyboard. So....no lovely photos of today's beautiful weather. Instead I looked around and found this lovely cross - a gift from a friend in Jasper - which reminded me of the sort of thing one might find on the wall of a member of a religious order - as alluded to above. I had to play around with the lighting - because the flash kept creating a reflection on the glass of the frame. I finally settled on this one without flash which created the warm, earthy tones that I think help with the theme of today's reflection (no pun intended!) (If you look carefully you can see the bead artist's signature in the corner)
Yellowknife
Thursday, February 18
