friday five: recent random

From Karla at RevGals, today's random looks at recent goodness:

1.  What is the best thing you have had to eat in the last couple of days?

Oh, some true yumminess emerged from our kitchen this week: Stuffed Shells Arrabbiata, and Crockpot Coconut Chicken Curry. And there's leftovers!

2.  What is the topic/subject of the best thing you have read in the last couple of days?

While at the library last week I saw a clerk putting a book back onto the shelf in the "new" section: Hope After Faith, a Pastor's Journey to Atheism. I don't have a foot in that camp, but I empathize with the folks who have made that transition, so I was curious to read about his. I don't know that it's the best thing I read, but it was a short, easy read, and offered food for thought. I don't regret giving it my time.

3.  Who would you like to give a shout out to that has been in your life the last couple of days?

My friend Jeri, who celebrated 50 years of sobriety last Sunday. She is a remarkable woman, a dear friend, a light in the darkness, and an inspiration.

4.  How have you practiced self-care in the last couple of days?

This may sound strange as a self-care item, but I've been cleaning and purging in my office (at home). I can now get into the closet, I can walk to the window to clean the nose prints off of it, and the top of my desk is almost useful again. The decluttering effort is poised to catalyze great things in the days ahead.

5.   Use the following words in a sentence:    couple, shutter, smile, pillow, groan, skip, baby elephant, red shoes.

The shutter of the camera clicked as the young couple smiled, watching their daughter skip a circle of red in her new shoes in front of the baby elephant. The image formed a pillow for later memories while Mama Elephant groaned with delight.

friday five: words

At RevGals this morning Jan invites us to share words that we like. Just the other day I remember referring to a word and saying (out loud, no less), "that is such a great word!" Of course, this morning I have no recollection of what the word was. Such is my life these days! But what a great exercise (thanks, Jan!), and I will strive to do it justice. It may take all day to come up with those words...

puppy - This word invokes an automatic release of endorphins, smiles, a pause to consider the cuteness of such creatures and, if I'm lucky enough to have one in my clutches, squeals of delight! Few things bring instant joy to my being like puppies.

engaging - I use this word a lot in its various conjugations. I invite my congregation to engage scripture; I find a person to be engaging; I encourage parishioners to get engaged in a ministry where they feel passion--you get the idea. To me the word is about involvement, investment, participation, jumping in with both feet, taking a risk, not being idle, and so on. It's dynamic and energizing and get-my-butt-out-of-the-chair motivating.

hope - I've been through some tough, discouraging years, but I  manage to keep putting one foot in front of the other because I have hope that better times are ahead. 'Nuff said.

on the verge - I'm cheating because this is a phrase, but it relates to hope (see above), and possibilities (see below). It engenders a sense of anticipation, awakening, and transformation. I'm kind of big on those three things. On the Verge is also an excellent play.

possibilities - as an INFJ I am all about what can be. I will be out of a job at the end of the month, making this is a time of opportunity and renewal, and the possibilities are ripe with redemption (that's another word I like).

Crucible - I had to add this as a sixth word. It holds meaning for me as an introvert (this appear to be something of a stream of consciousness list), and a "process" person. It's also one of my favorite plays (by Arthur Miller--am I detecting a theme?). Trying to parse its significance to me feels like it would detract from its power, so I will let this brief offering stand.

If you're interested in the words that matter to some other folks, hop on over to RevGals and check out those posts!