We had a full, full house this weekend, with SIL and friends visiting and dropping off their daughter for a week’s holiday at what Amie and I now lovingly call “Camp Boredom,” a.k.a. “Camp Mama.” Â The addition of one has skyrocketed the ratings of this camp for both participants and organizer. I listen in on their play, only see them for meals and snacks. Put two single children who have known each other since the birth of the youngest together: sparks fly.
At the last meal before friends and SIL had to leave, I couldn’t resist. I debated whether I’d do it because I usually don’t make a show of my emotions, but here it was: “I’d like to make a toast!”
Here’s to sharing abundance with friends.
Forking up the mostly local food on the table, basking in the finally perfect temperature under the umbrella in our backyard, looking around the table at the smiles and laughter and deep, deep ease of the company, I had that feeling that I get a lot these days: this is the sweet spot and somehow I get to live in it! What follows is gratitude, clean and joyful, coupled with a little bit of the less bright how-did-I-deserve-this?
Reading Charles Eisenstein’s Sacred Economics I am expanding my insights into this complex set of emotions (if that’s what they are). I have so many thoughts on the subject, it boggles my mind like any convoluted metaphysics. It’s a sheer gift and you know you’ll never be able to repay it but that shouldn’t stop you from working hard to maintain it, to keep the giving going.
I’m learning more and more that joy is the key to this. Eisenstein says something that turns even the most tragic catastrophe of this world into a gasping realization:
We live in special times. There are seven billion of us, all gathered at the same time. Sometimes I think that every human being who has ever lived is now incarnated here for the big party, for the big transition.
I don’t take that literally as I don’t believe in reincarnation, but I appreciate the thought and the what-if sentiment of it. It makes me a little more ready for the challenge. It also makes me think that, that I am one of the lucky ones who gets to gather with happy friends around a table loaded with wholesome food, should inspire me not to guilt but to gratitude, which is the only place from which full giving in return is possible.
To fully receive is an act of generosity. To fully give is an act of self-care and self-nurture.