The Universal Energizer

Dear Reader:

The other day I was crossing my front porch from the B&B side to my side and I noticed how dark it had gotten with thunder rolling off in the distance. For the low country…this is a pretty typical summer afternoon.

Suddenly…a flash of lightning streaked across the sky as the thunder rumbled so loudly a plate I was holding with some silverware on it…literally rattled and a fork fell off.

As I went to pick it up I could feel the hair on my arms starting to stand up…the strangest feeling ever…the energy from this storm was palpable. It was also terrifying…I rapidly ran back in my side.

I realized that I had just experienced a miniscule– even  nanoscopic-sample of the power and energy of our universe! Mind-boggling!

Still, no matter how amazing the vastness of the universe (and the mysterious energy pulsating throughout it) is that keeps our world in constant motion, isn’t it  the human energy that promotes our well-being ….similar to getting a booster shot of vitamins.

We all have experienced people with such positive energy that we can feel it if the person simply walks into a room, or hear it through a powerful speech that raises our own energy level or an action that makes us want to do something positive in the world too. Passing energy to others is a remarkable gift.

Brene Brown talks about connection and energy in this quote.

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from relationships with others.”

There is no better gift than talking to someone who elevates our energy of  self-worth and contentment so profoundly…that they find themselves in a better place than before….

Today, sadly, we have allowed politics to take precedence over close human relationships…and the exchange has been so costly to one and all ….creating a “Dis-United” States.

Brene believes it all comes down to feeling secure about ourselves and who we are so that we don’t become easy prey for someone else’s ideology while losing ours in the bargain.

“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging does not require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”

So until tomorrow…Let’s accept ourselves for who we are, imperfections and all, no longer seeing these as weaknesses but vulnerabilities that connect us to the rest of humanity.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

I have missed getting out in the garden lately…and of course, nothing stops growing or blooming just because I am not there…lots of fun surprises. Come on…walk with me.

Butterflies love love love my pintas as you can attest from below. “Mr. Lincoln” my most aromatic rose of any of my other roses, assures me I haven’t lost my total sense of smell.

Food is being supplied by my stokesia going to seed and my butterfly bush’s fuzz are seeds that will disperse with the wind. (Thanks for gardening tips Doodle- my master go-to gardener!)

 

Look at this strange mushroom sprouting up from all our recent thunderstorms…it looks like a chocolate donut with sprinkles! 🙂

 

 

Look at this breath-taking entrance into Vickie’s backyard paradise garden…it speaks of the wonders to come.

Yesterday Mandy had a “Mom Out With Jake Morning“- he loves capturing the little fiddler crabs but also loves examining the big blue crabs too. They went to the park ‘under the bridge’ and successfully found lots and lots of crabs. One happy little boy!

 

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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4 Responses to The Universal Energizer

  1. Rachel Edwards says:

    Jake is looking so grown up and a lot like John. I need to get some tips from you that Doodle shared…would love to have more butterflies. Fred and I sit at our kitchen table and look out at our “ocean” view…our backyard. 😘

  2. Becky Dingle says:

    I know what you mean…thank goodness for having the beauty of nature at our door steps…front or back…it has saved my ‘saneness’ during these long stretches of silence and isolation.

  3. Lynn Gamache says:

    Thank you, Becky. You have blessed us with another inspiring and up-lifting reading this morning. What a great way to begin another day! I so appreciate your thoughts on taking time to listen to others….to be affirmed by their words, but more than this, to affirm them by giving them the gift of an audience and a “listening ear”. Now with doctor appointments by phone this gift of listening takes on a whole new dimension. We wonder, did our doctor really hear us or was he glued to his computer looking for lost data? Or was he re-organizing papers on his desk while I shared my latest concerns re a certain rash on my forehead? Maybe this is why I prefer the virtual appointments when we can at least see each other’s eyes and know that their focus is on me and my needs. Then just important for me to stay tuned in and hear, receive and fully understand the advice being offered by my GP.
    Have only this week been also feeling energized by some of the speeches/interviews that I’ve been listening to on-line. We have no TV at this house, so our main link with the world is via computer and our cell phones. So thankful for these. AND, so thankful for some “energizing” speeches heard this week. I listened to Jill Biden’s message twice and felt her passion and compassion for not just the entire USA but for individuals who live with poverty…with misunderstanding and prejudice….with separation from family because of the pandemic…others because their loved ones serve overseas during these challenging times.
    Please understand….I am not an American, but I married an American (who now is a Canadian!) from Minnesota. I have a daughter married to a fine American man. This little family of five live in Colorado with the three young boys now all back to school and doing well.
    When we Face Time we talk about our children and grandchildren; we talk about school and teachers; friends and neighbours….and sometimes we even touch on politics though Christy is not an American and won’t be voting. We share concerns re our countries and our world. And always I try to focus on some of the “good news” gleaned from my on-line encounters with individuals from all walks of life…from both sides of the tracks….from other sides of the world (our one son lives and works in Burma or Myanmar as it is known now). And this week I was eager to talk with her about my most recent encounter with a political wife, Jill Biden. I had not known her story before. And I do not know it all now. BUT, what I’ve heard makes me wish that this woman were my neighbour and that I could get to sit longer with her and dialogue re our families, faith and future as we look ahead with faith and not fear….with optimism and HOPE in the mercy, grace and providence of God.!!
    Blessings and love to you and yours, Becky. Have a beautiful day, and may God bless America. (sent with love from Canadian born, Lynn, up here in British Columbia, Canada)

  4. Becky Dingle says:

    Love your comments and certainly I love Canada….great neighbor to the north….always! Looking forward to better tomorrows and our citizens feeling their heart united again.

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