So I am supposed to write for five minutes. No editing. No rewrites. Here we go!
Subject: Rhythm
Rhythm…it’s something that I recognize more when I’m feeling the lack of it, rather than the fullness of it in my life. It’s like the faithful washing machine that I mindlessly cram my dirty clothes, towels and whatever into every week. I don’t notice the rhythm of that ritual. I do notice when the machine breaks down! The rhythm is broken…and I then I miss it.
What else am I missing?
The crack of the bat against the ball at the Little League game.
The waves of the ocean pushing to the shore only to quickly pull back again.
The breath of a little one, as she falls helplessly asleep after the late night feeding.
The crunch, crunch, crunch of my footsteps on the gravel path where I walk.
The sound of a heartbeat echoing in my ear, reminding me that my body moves in it’s own secret time every moment of my life.
The passing of Seasons, one into another, as the year progresses.
Beauty hides in the everyday rhythm and ritual of living.
Time to start opening my ears and my eyes to the wonder of the rhythm of life.
Thank you to Five Minute Friday at lisajobaker.com!
Ceil, what a beautiful reflection here…one that resonates deeply with me. I like what you wrote, “I don’t notice the rhythm of that ritual. I do notice when the machine breaks down! The rhythm is broken…and I then I miss it. What else am I missing?” And how wonderful that you hone in on the rhythms of life… In fact, you’ve invited me to do the same. Thank you!
“The sound of a heartbeat echoing in my ear, reminding me that my body moves in it’s own secret time every moment of my life.” Just beautiful words here, Ceil. I love that in both of our FMF posts, we touched on the concept of our body rhythms…plugging along while we remain unaware. At least, unaware until reminded to tune in and be present. Thanks for that reminder!
Warmly,
Lauren
The Thinking Closet
Hi Lauren! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! And coming from an English teacher too…
That’s right! You picked out the heartbeat as a focal point of your ‘rhythm.’ I really liked your post on the subject, and so glad I got a chance to meet you through FMF
Enjoy this Friday’s rhythms!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Hi there, I’m Nana too, visiting from FMF. That rhythm is so easy to lose track of in the day to day- but we sure do notice when it’s missing! Hoping your day brings new rhythms to enjoy!
Hi Nancy! Thank you for hopping on over from FMF!
Isn’t being a Nana wonderful? And you are a nurse too? Maybe we are long lost twins! What kind of nursing did you do?
Thank you for your generous comment and your good wishes for this Friday. I hope you have a wonderful day too, immersed in the rhythms of life
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Hi dear Ceil,
I loved this post! Each word you wrote was beautiful and touching. Have a lovely weekend.
Hugs!
Hi Stephanie! Always so good to see your face
Thank you for your kind words, now and always. You have a good weekend too, my friend.
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
I love your words about how the beauty lies in the everyday rhythm. So true. It is up to us to mine down deep, call it forth!
Hi Anna! Nice to meet you through FMF!
Thank you for your generous words…I loved your post too. (And I like the movie “Dan in Real Life”) I will look forward to getting to know you better through your blog
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
I loved this line: Beauty hides in the everyday rhythm and ritual of living. So true!! And like you said we often most notice our rhythms when they are broken. I am in a time of change and transition, so am clinging tightly to the rhythms we still have here, while looking forward to creating new ones.
Hi Amy! So happy to have met you through FMF!
Thank you for sharing your encouraging comments. It was such a good word to work with today, wasn’t it? I know you have some changes coming, and I hope they are filled with beauty.
Have a good weekend
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
We don’t think of the rhythm of things. As I type this, I hear a lawn mower across the street. It has a rhythm all its own. You have made me more aware of the rhythms we hear every day.
Hi Cecelia! I certainly never thought of a lawn mower as having rhythm, but I guess it does!
It is a challenge for me to treat all of life as rhythm, but I am sure going to try. It’s a beautiful concept.
Thank you for coming over and for your comment. It’s always good to see your smile
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
I love this: “Beauty hides in the everyday rhythm and ritual of living.” A beautiful reminder that our life flows to the rhythm of His creation, and if we’re listening, we’ll be in that time as well. Have a blessed weekend!
Hi Rebekah! It was so nice to visit your blog for FMF!
The key is we have to listen, right? Oh my, I need work on that. But I know it’s all there, just waiting for me.
I am looking forward to getting to know you better, I ‘joined’ you on your blog!
I hope you will have a blessed weekend too, enjoying the rhythm of the days
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
It is in the pausing the rituals and rhythms are exposed. Too often in my busyness I forget the importance of the pauses. I’ve heard many cracks of bat against ball this summer. Tomorrow again I have that chance and I will be pausing for the rhythm. Loving your “5.”
Hi Pamela! Thank you so much for coming here to visit, and for your encouraging comments.
I remember hearing those ‘bat cracks’ when my kids were in tee ball and Little League. So cute! I didn’t think of it as rhythm then, but how beautiful it is. Hope you have a great time at the ballgame
And I hope you have some time to ‘pause’ in the days ahead.
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Very true – it’s the lack of rhythm that resonates with us isn’t it? What a great take on this week’s word. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Debi! Thank you for coming here and leaving a comment. I toddled on over to see your website, and I’ll be following you on bloglovin’ and signed up for your newsletter. You have a very active site!
Seems like I always see things better when they leave… take for granted what is here. That’s why Rhythm was such a great topic for me.
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
“Beauty hides in the everyday rhythm and ritual of living.” Oh so true. I started thinking about how I always seem to notice when the my rhythms are off. But I am striving to find beauty in all of life. Blessings!
Hi Barbie! Thank you for taking the time to come here and read my Rhythm post. I left a comment for you too
I just love these FMF, I get to meet lovely people like you.
I so agree about the noticing when the the rhythm of life is “off.” It reminds me of that saying “Don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” God is so good all the time, so I am striving too to find the beauty of the present moment. We are really thinking along the same lines today!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Wow! That’s really good! And so very true. We don’t want to miss the Rhythm of our every day lives. Life’s to short, enjoy them while we can!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings to you,
Amy
Hi Amy! It is such an interesting concept, isn’t it?
I hope you have a wonderful weekend too…I just enjoyed the rhythm of cleaning my bathroom!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Love how you find beauty and rhythm in the ordinary…
Hi MIndy!
Well, I am trying to do that. Even with my housecleaning today, I tried to see it as a rhythm of taking care of what God has given me. Just the wiping and swishing of water created a rhythm song.
Thanks for coming by and leaving such a lovely comment. Hope you have a great weekend!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Beautiful post for Five Minute Friday! I love the rhythm of the ocean as the surf hits the shore too. And yes, I am still a nurse even though not working as a nurse now.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Hi Debbie! Thank you for coming over to read my post, and for your positive comment. I have been ‘joined’ to your blog for a few days now, it’s fun to get to know you. (I am retired from nursing for now, but who knows?)
I hope you enjoy the rhythm of a good weekend!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Beautiful! Well said!
Thank you AnnMarie! How nice to see you
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend enjoying the rhythms of life!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Ceil, this was such a beautiful post! Even as I sit here in my rhythmic chair reading your words, I become more mindful of that which is around me… the whirring-click of the ceiling fan, the blowing of the air conditioner, the clicking of the keys. Thank you for reminding me to pay attention…
Blessings to you ~ Mary
Hi Mary! Thank you for your kind words. It is fun to become aware of it, isn’t it? Seems like it just wasn’t on my ‘radar’ before…so it’s a wonderful thing to experience.
Have a wonderful, rhythm-filled evening!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil