I wonder, if upon deeper reflection, most transitions offer similar opposing emotions. And maybe I spend too much time focused on one of these emotions and not both of them. Look at you making me think so hard. Thanks and Happy New Year, Ian.
Exactly! I suspect we miss out on fully experiencing lots of things because we can't hold the paradox of conflicting feelings and thoughts. Can we learn to see the conflict as adding richness instead of needing to eliminate it.
This was my last Christmas Eve working at Montview. Sunday Jan 5th will be my last day. People ask me if I'm retiring and I tell them no, just being promoted to congregant. Will I miss working at MV? Yes and no. I'll look forward to holding those feelings in tension and seeing how they sort out.
Ian, I share your sense of being torn, even now after having retired 4 1/2 years ago. Frequent dreams that I recall have me being hired back--but never at a place that looks exactly as I remember it--and always feeling quite unprepared to do most anything I once did. So I sympathize. In time this will pass. Although I suspect I am not alone in feeling great loss in missing you during Advent and especially Christmas eve. This, too, will pass.
Greg, thanks for sharing your true feelings here at Christmas time. Their comes a time in our lives that we feel we need to change our direction in life and you are on a life changing direction.
I was sitting next to a six month retired clergyman yesterday. During the prelude he looked at his watch, muttered "five minutes," rhen asked me, "When did you stop wondering at five of if you and everyone else are ready?" I laughed and said he would get over it.
We both miss you and are happy for you. Thanks for this, my friend. Hope you're well.
I especially appreciate your comments about holding opposite feelings at the same time and giving oneself permission to feel both.
I wonder, if upon deeper reflection, most transitions offer similar opposing emotions. And maybe I spend too much time focused on one of these emotions and not both of them. Look at you making me think so hard. Thanks and Happy New Year, Ian.
Exactly! I suspect we miss out on fully experiencing lots of things because we can't hold the paradox of conflicting feelings and thoughts. Can we learn to see the conflict as adding richness instead of needing to eliminate it.
Thank you for this reflection, and for the chance to hear you read it! Merry Christmas, Ian.
This was my last Christmas Eve working at Montview. Sunday Jan 5th will be my last day. People ask me if I'm retiring and I tell them no, just being promoted to congregant. Will I miss working at MV? Yes and no. I'll look forward to holding those feelings in tension and seeing how they sort out.
Ian, I share your sense of being torn, even now after having retired 4 1/2 years ago. Frequent dreams that I recall have me being hired back--but never at a place that looks exactly as I remember it--and always feeling quite unprepared to do most anything I once did. So I sympathize. In time this will pass. Although I suspect I am not alone in feeling great loss in missing you during Advent and especially Christmas eve. This, too, will pass.
Wishing you a very good and meaningful 2025.
Greg, thanks for sharing your true feelings here at Christmas time. Their comes a time in our lives that we feel we need to change our direction in life and you are on a life changing direction.
Ken and Karen Pinkham
I was sitting next to a six month retired clergyman yesterday. During the prelude he looked at his watch, muttered "five minutes," rhen asked me, "When did you stop wondering at five of if you and everyone else are ready?" I laughed and said he would get over it.
Wonderful reflection which I embrace completely.