What We Need is Here.

"Geese appear high over us,

pass, and the sky closes.

Abandon, as in love or sleep,

holds them to their way,

clear in the ancient faith:

what we need is here.

And we pray, not for new earth or heaven,

but to be quiet in heart, and in eye, clear.

What we need is here. "



-Wendell Berry

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Jonathan and I were able to "get away" to the Delaware beach this weekend for a few days. I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed, at ease, not thinking about what I needed to do next, or to feel guilty when relaxing because I "should be doing something more productive".

As I "protested" today at going back to work with psychosomatic symptoms of not feeling well, I came home a little early and found this poem, which really spoke to me, in light of the weekend. What we really need is here. Before us. Before me. Right now. Every day. Every breath. Yet I don't breath it enough, or recognize it, or label it, or appreciate it. So I hope to be more present NOW. Not tomorrow, or in an hour. But here and now. And see that I have all I need and when I look for something else, it is then I am lacking.

Prayer.

"To pray, I think, does not mean to think about God in contrast to thinking about other things, or to spend time with God instead of spending time with other people. Rather, it means to think and live in the presence of God. As soon as we begin to divide our thoughts about God and thoughts about people and events, we remove God from our daily life and put him into a pious little niche where we can think pious thoughts and experience pious feelings. ... Although it is important and even indispensable for the spiritual life to set apart time for God and God alone, prayer can only become unceasing prayer when all our thoughts -- beautiful or ugly, high or low, proud or shameful, sorrowful or joyful -- can be thought in the presence of God. ... Thus, converting our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer moves us from a self-centred monologue to a God-centred dialogue. "

From Henri Nouwen's "Clowning in Rome".

If you haven't read Nouwen, I would encourage you to do so. His writing is simple, yet speaks profound truth in a meet-you-where-you-are kind of way and its like you can feel his love and compassion for you, as the reader. I can sit down with a book for an hour (and maybe finish it, they are quick) and come away feeling comforted, refreshed and with a bit more wisdom to take with me. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Live.Love.DC

Fresh flowers from Eastern Market

A sunset and a picnic followed by fireworks Cherry Blossoms galore

We are almost at our 2 year anniversary for living in the District of Columbia. It was this time two years ago that we took a weekend road trip to DC from Atlanta, went to a whirlwind of open houses, explored neighborhoods, decided that we wanted to move here and put an offer on a condo, which would end up being "home" and our first, scary yet exciting experience with real estate. While at times, I have felt "strangled" so to speak with owning a home, we love saying that it is "ours", investing in it and the panic of watching the creeping down real estate market (well, I wouldn't say we "love" that part but the sweet wouldn't be sweet without the sour, right?). A reality show might be in the making of how we raise our (future) family with 2+ kids in 580 square feet without having social services called. Ha. Not really funny and something that is on my mind probably too much as I am now 27.5 and my friends start popping out babies.

Back to how much I love living in DC. The Washingtonian did a spread this month titled, "26 reasons to love Washington and lots more reaons we're lucky to live here." Some of my highlights the magazine also noticed:

-You can see the sky!

Most big cities you are suffocated by tall buildings but not here where there is building height limit of 130 feet, approx. 13 stories. Plus the green spaces, parks, trails, grass make it quite beautiful and has a "European" look (to me).

- It's a great mix of the North and South.

People consider Virginia the South, yet you are a few hours drive to Philly and NYC. The beach, lakes, mountains, and vineyards are all a drive away. Skiing in the winter and beach in the summer!

-Our lives have beautiful backdrops, We go about our days amid carved marble and places from history books.

Yes, this is one of my favorites. I still get my breath taken away as I drive by the Potomac River each morning and pass by the Jefferson memorial (and cherry blossoms in the Spring) on my way to WORK. A potentially mundane task, but here is its beautiful and I don't get tired of it. Plus weekend walks around the city to see a painting I read about in a book, or just a stroll past Lincoln in his big chair, or some pushups in Lafayette Square across from the White house.

-DC always has an aura of excitement. A feeling that any moment something of great importance is about to happen.

Last night walking home from the gym, we had to be re-routed because the Correspondence Dinner was happening and the road was blocked off with secret service, limos, and DC like celebs (and some real celebs) arrived in their tuxs and fancy dresses. Then I turned it on at home on C-SPAN and thought weird, this is happening 2 blocks from where I live. Now I don't think this particular dinner is the most important thing in the world, but the excitment was an unexpected surprise on a Saturday night.

-Reading is respected, higher education is honored, and the sexiest people are not skinny but smart.

While I have noticed that there are a lot less overweight people here (as opposed to the South), people work out to be healthy, not foxy. Yes, sometimes I do get tired of more drab looking, serious people, but brains are the new PRADA, right?! Ha. I have to think that all the brains here are working towards a better good. In my non-profit world, I am surrounding by everyday hero's who inspire me with their dedication to service, not climbing the ladder, and being in touch with people and their needs. Oh and did I mention living paycheck to paycheck to provide such services. While I don't say this is true for much of DC (aka the government sector who i hear are rennovating offices-not to extend judgement to all because i have a few "fed" friends that are exempt from my resentment), my pals and crowd are awesomely fun and great people.

Others the Washingtonian didn't mention....CLEAN metro!, being able to walk around, seasons, lots of free activities like concerts and festivals, lack of chain restaurants (although I do crave Chili's more often than I like to admit), and Rock Creek Park.

Something else great about our experience is that we live in a great neighborhood near Adams Morgan in NW. This means we get to explore surrounding areas quite easily like Dupont Circle, Logan, U St., Columbia Heights and Cleveland Park. That is already a lot. THEN I work in another super cool neighborhood, Eastern Market, which means I get to explore Capitol Hill and the areas around....There are so many cool and distinct neighborhoods.

So, Happy Anniversary to Us and DC!

I'm glad we jumped out in faith and/or craziness to come here 2 years ago for a new adventure.