Last summer, my dad introduced me to the magic of "Sissel". I think the two of us must have watched her performance of "Slow Down" with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra on Temple Square over 10 times when we were together (see link below). It moved me then, but I really hadn't experienced the true depths of those words until this week. It's such a dreary day today, and I am being forced to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n.
It's taken me a very long time to understand that I don't always have to be productive. I know I'm not alone in this, but I struggle with loads of guilt when sit down and just 'be'? I KNOW there is divine purpose in slowing down, and I believe part of my journey here is to learn to do just that. I am deeply inspired by the plea of these lyrics:
What better reason to slow down and be still??? Slow down and "HEAR HIM"! Slow down and "FEEL HIM"! Slow down and "WAIT ON HIM"! Slow down and "KNOW HIM"! I absolutely love that. I am now learning to embrace the s-l-o-w and reject any feelings of guilt I might experience--because I think I should be 'doing'!
The first two weeks here was full of adventure, newness, socializing, exploring, and so much SUNSHINE. I had heard that it rains in Ireland, but until today, I didn't believe it. Well guess what? It does, indeed, rain in Ireland! And I'm telling you what--you've not experienced a storm until you experience a wind storm by the sea--living in a 250 year old house. It really lends itself to some wild imaginations! I tried to enjoy it, but I began to hear sounds that I didn't know were possible. It got the better of me, and I ended up in my cozy robe, hiding underneath every blanket we own.
Now things have calmed a bit, and I'm sitting at our kitchen window, drinking mint tea (that's a big thing here), and looking out to the sea. It's turned a dull gray--much like the sky. And it is hard to tell which is which. I see these incredible whitecaps out on the Dublin Bay and it feels a little ominous. *Note: I have Sissel playing as my background soundtrack, and... SHE! IS! BRILLIANT!! PERIOD!!!
To say Ireland has four seasons would not be a lie; it's just that you experience them all in one day. We can already attest to that! We will be sheltering ourselves from the storm one minute, and literally chasing rainbows the next. True story!
One example of this is the doctor's office. I had to meet with my new doctor last week. It was just a simple visit to get established with a local doctor. I was told that the office was just above the little bookstore on Main Street. As I climbed the narrow, creaky staircase, and walked down the dark corridor towards the waiting room, I thought to myself, "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore." Again, I felt like I was walking onto a movie set. I imagine that these little rooms look exactly as they did 70+ years ago. Suffice it to say, doctor's offices here are NOT as they are in the states. Incidentally, my doctor's name is Patrick McGillicuddy. And to make the story even better...yes, he has red hair and a red beard that grows only UNDER his chin. Do you have the image in your mind now? That is about as Irish as it gets! Oh, and did I mention that he was as kind as they come! Now THAT is as Irish as it gets!
As diverse as Ireland is, I really have fallen in-love with the true Irish men and women! Those who have been born and raised here are truly a rare breed. They are happy, warm, positive, friendly, welcoming, and oh so charming. I tell everyone that the Irish taxi drivers are my best friends. Every time I step into a cab, I can guarantee that I'm going to know the life story of each driver by the time we arrive at my destination. And (on more than one occasion) I've been in tears because of the details of their personal sorrows. Yet, they share light and laughter and joy in our brief interaction. It is heartening to see how resilient they are, given their struggles. I absolutely love them--and I luh-huv that they all call me "love"--men and women alike.
There's an old saying here in Ireland-- "Why wood-jee wanna go on a foreign 'oliday?"
You see, the Irish firmly believe there's no better place on earth than right here--and they're not wrong. "The only improvement", they say, "would be reliable sun". But for me, these kind of dreary days are the perfect opportunity to SLOW DOWN! "Slow down, and #HearHim."
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