CONSIDER

I did something to celebrate my husband that I will never – “Yes, I said never” – do again. I threw a surprise birthday party for him. There are a variety of reasons for making the declaration of never but the primary one is related to the attention that must be paid to every minute detail…free flowing conversation-NOT POSSIBLE…credit card statements – MONITORED…messages sent and deleted and phone calls from others beginning with the question, “Can you talk?” Attention to the smallest details was crucial for a successful surprise birthday party. The goal, according to him, was achieved.

I began planning one week after his birthday in 2021. Somewhere along the way, I recorded a quote in my journal which in hindsight was applicable, “Patience with small details make perfect a large work” (Rumi). I soon realized that I couldn’t somnambulate (be on autopilot or sleepwalk) my way through the planning process. I needed the help of my village (muscles and support) with the details and execution of them. By all accounts, the large work – a surprise party – was perfect for us. Once again, I will never attempt another.

The principle of “Patience with small details…” is applicable to all of life’s work especially change… “we are either growing into more or retreating into less…living a little more or dying a little bit.” (Norman Meier) Attention to details helps to identify and address the direction of our growth or lack thereof. Those around us are often our best resources for identifying and addressing both.

I challenge you as I challenge myself to engage in an activity for forty consecutive days during the last quarter of the year that will bring you closer to wholeness.

Working to be closer to wholeness in my opinion, is achievable when one engages in any activity that aligns some aspect of the inner you with the outer.

For example, forgiveness and physical health – forgive yourself for neglecting your body’s need for physical activity and begin a forty-day goal to walk for 15 minutes each day. Forgiveness is a process and requires work. It is not a once and done kind of thing. What might a small detail look like? Verbally asking to be forgiven, placing an appointment on your calendar, keeping the appointment, or rewarding yourself with a checkmark each day to note completion. On the other hand, if not completed, make a note of why... “Patience with the small details…” the key word being patience.

Finally, the task of completing almost anything is made easier when one concentrates on the parts that equals the sum rather than the whole… concentrate on the present day not the entire forty.

Psalm 37:23-24

PONDER THIS THOUGHT ---- “What nine months of attention does for an embryo, forty early mornings will do for your gradually growing.” (Rumi)