My long time bloggette buddy Julie nominated me a while back for the 3, 2, 1 Me Challenge.
The directions are as follows:
Please write a post about Ponder, and including two quotes on the subject, and nominate three other bloggers to blog about a word of your choosing.
I took a very long time to approach this challenge, which is not really my style. Yet I hesitated because I did not initially connect with the word ponder in terms of this assignment. Since it did not ” speak to me “, I filed it away, knowing I would return to it when the time was right. That time is now.
So what was my issue with the word ponder? My immediate reaction was that I used to ponder way too much and that my addiction to introspection was a trap. At some point I considered my intellect to be one of my superpowers. I relied on it way too heavily, to the point of minimizing other ” pursuits” like imagination and emotional expression. I was afraid of the power of sloppy vulnerability and felt safer in the mental realms of rational ideas, logic, and analysis.
Eventually I came to the realization that messy, loose states of being were a gateway to living more authentically and not a sign of weakness. Fragility can have a sweet delicate quality that evokes awe. This is part of the spiritual path, plain and simple.
I chose the following quotes that include ponder within them. Let’s examine the first one:
A season of suffering is a small assignment when compared to the reward. Rather than begrudge your problem, explore it. Ponder it. And most of all, use it. Use it to the glory of God. Max Lucado
This quote by Max Lucado is more poignant in this moment because I am enthralled in a season of suffering. So much loss, rejection, frustration, sadness, longing, and despair reside within me now. Call it Mars/Chiron conjunction in Pisces angst or garden variety melancholy. I am not certain that more pondering is in order for me personally, but I do agree that using my darkness for good is on point. This quote directs one to live out loud in the moment, not to judge oneself for feeling less than “acceptable.” Regarding the reward, I find these types of gifts are usually uncovered further down the road, in a small town called Retrospect. Are you familiar with Retrospect? It has a few strip malls, a gas station, a dive bar, and one decent diner. I recommend the fries with gravy.
The other quote I chose gives different directives on how to ponder:
It is possibly not very helpful to our inner life to ponder a great deal on how the external world is reflected in our soul. By doing so, we do not get beyond a shadowy picture of the world of mental images in ourselves. Rudolf Steiner
This quote by Rudolf Steiner reminds me of a recent lesson by Matt Kahn. Matt often warns his students about associating the outer world with one’s state of consciousness. If we encounter someone who treats us poorly, refrain from reaching the conclusion that we must also be treating others this way. He teaches that mirroring in this way is unhealthy and not a relevant spiritual practice. It appears that Steiner is in agreement here, cautioning against using what is outside of us as a barometer for one’s spiritual health. I am unclear on what he does suggest as an alternative, but I find his statement helpful and worthy of consideration.
The challenge requests that I choose a new word for 3 other bloggers to use in their posts. The word I have chosen is fragile. I am using my guidance to choose the participants, so here we go: Michael, Tania , and Ka .
If you are reading this and are feeling inspired, please feel free to take up the challenge. Just follow the instructions and link back to this post. Challenges can make the world go around and blog challenges do so in a fun way 🙂
LAST CALL: As an aside, have you read the 2 new December entries in my Divine Mission Possible Challenge? If not, you can check them out here. There is still time to write a post if you have not already done so.
The challenge ends with this year, on 12-31-18 so time IS of the essence.
litebeing chronicles 
Hi Linda,
I’ve pondered your post with care. Fragility is a word that doesn’t speak to me at the moment, quite like it speaks to you – as you included your thoughts here in your post about fragility. It’s delicate and sweet you say, and I can relate to that. That’s lovely. I’m not pondering fragility or the word right now , as interestingly you have expressed your “resistance” to the word ponder, initially. When the write time comes for me to write in that sort of blog style, if the inspiration does delicately infuse me, I shall let you know. Meanwhile, I can appreciate your own process here. Have a wonderful day and we’ll see what the future holds in blogland.
Ka
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Thanks for your careful reflection Ka. Perhaps my intuition was off here, but I do understand. peace, Linda
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💗 understanding is priceless. We shall see Linda what comes. Peace and love right back 💗
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I am back Linda.. before bed time.. lol, as I couldn’t remember, I made so many comments prior to Christmas and I often am in the moment Zone and then its gone, lol Please forgive me not remembering it was this post you refereed too, I thought it some other Challenge.. But I do look forward to your Surprise post coming and depending on the challenge should you offer one, will look forward to what you reveal..
Have a perfect day Linda.. I have about half a dozen more comments to answer including your own in my new year post, then it really is curtains for me this evening.. ❤
Love and well wishes.. ❤ Love Sue
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No apologies needed Sue. You have tons of comments on each post to attend to! Basically I am inviting you to also do this challenge HERE if you want to try it. I am not planning any more challenges unless another writer nominates me for a new one.
sleep well, Linda ❤
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OK Linda.. then I will forgo this one, as I have several posts in my drafts which I Hope to share in the New Year which if I complete certain writings from my journal to type up will follow on.. But we will see, as nothing is cast in stone.. 🙂 But thank you for asking.. And tomorrow the modem is turned off.. As I want to cut down my time on the net.. She says shaking her head to herself.. lol ❤ Much love
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No worries Sue. I know how precious your offline time in nature is for you. 🙂
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Thanks for understanding.. ❤ Mega HUGS
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i am going to return to this post after the new year, as i’m waiting for family to arrive for the next few days. this was a beautiful post…i always love what you have to share and i’m grateful for you thinking of me with the word fragile. i will do my best to see how i might incorporate it into my new series i’m now mostly focused. i may not officially do the full challenge in terms of inviting others, but i do feel resonance with the word you chose for me, so i’m not surprised. ❤ big warm hugs
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Enjoy your family time and come back when guided to do so. I was quickly led to chose a specific word and specific people for this challenge, hoping I acted as intended. Glad to hear this resonates with you.
Namaste, Linda ❤
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thank you dearly linda!! yes, i LOVE that word…it fits for me perfect. namaste and much much love always ❤
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I love the word also and it is well featured in a Sting song and a beloved Yes album long long ago, lol!
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I think Linda, you did justice to the word and the challenge.. We often Ponder too long on certain subjects and in doing so we miss the spontaneity of using our intuition and just going with our impulse ..
I have the habit of pondering too much at times.. but these days I turn it around and call in analysing 🙂 same difference.. but with analysing, I hope I am more like Sherlock Holmes, Who deduces who said.. ” “There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.” And I also like this Quote of his.. which says ““The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.”
I think now is the time we ponder less, and observe what is happening in the world.. For now its time to shine our lights.. and get to work…
Love and Blessings Linda..
I hope you had a lovely Christmas..
Many thanks for your precious friendship, and I send love and well wishes your way, for 2019 and Beyond my dearest friend..
Love and Blessings your way Always..
Sue ❤
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Thank you Sue for your thoughtful comment. I never take for granted that you comment on each and every blog post and often will go visit the contributors to my annual blog challenge. You are so very generous and kind, I hope you realize that you embody love on so many levels! This challenge was interesting and I am glad I took the time to complete it. I hope your Christmas was lovely. I do not celebrate as I was not raised with Christmas. But I spent the day doing things I enjoy ( actually I hardly remember that far back!)
I look forward to more interactions with you in the year ahead.
much love,
Linda ❤
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Beautiful pondering! Thank you Linda and wishing that 2019 is a much better and brighter year for you!
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Hi Julie, It was fun participating in the challenge and it also ended up bearing fruit. I wish you a blessed 2019! ❤
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Reblogged this on dreamweaver333.
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thanks
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Love this linda… love how you allowed yourself to expand and wander from your 3Dmind into pondering and inspiring your readers with this challenge. I like what you said about not allowing ‘out there’ to guide your journey. Which is how we’ve all been taught to use when it comes to our human experience of duality… but once we realise we are the ‘powerhouse’ and focus on unity we can allow ourselves to feel and be the guiding light, despite ‘out there’. Much love to you and wishing you a magical new year with you in charge! We’ve had massive electrical upgrades these past few days that are shaking our body and cellular fears up. So take extra loving care of yourself… know it’s all part of your transformation❤️ Barbara x
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Thanks again Barbara for your wise and uplifting words. For many many years I was taught that whatever we encounter on the outside is a barometer for inner evolution. Now the tide has changed and while I applaud this new teaching, I am still working on separating my self from the old way.
I do not typically notice these electrical or energetic storms, but am keenly aware that I must love myself more than ever before.
in light with love, Linda ❤
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“If we encounter someone who treats us poorly, refrain from reaching the conclusion that we must also be treating others this way. He teaches that mirroring in this way is unhealthy and not a relevant spiritual practice. It appears that Steiner is in agreement here, cautioning against using what is outside of us as a barometer for one’s spiritual health. I am unclear on what he does suggest as an alternative, but I find his statement helpful and worth consideration.”
Yes. It is the toughest thing, but also the most helpful to me, to hold to your inner self despite all the external forces pulling you away from yourself. I find happiness in being the child I used to be.
Love to you Linda and Happiest & Healthiest New Year.
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Thank you Cundy for sharing one of your practices here. I am always immersed in joy when I align with the innocence and spontaneity of childhood. The trick is to not get boggled down in what is not supporting one’s true nature.
love, LInda
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Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal.
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thanks
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