I am eager to write about the bursting forth of Spring. It will have to wait. We still have snow where it laid heaviest, several inches on the North side of the house and where ever it was drifted or piled. We still have snow on our porch roof, one of my benchmarks. We have relatives, who live in Iowa, they are gardening now; planting early things like radishes, lettuce, onions and potatoes.
The jet stream tends to loop down over Minnesota, blocking warm Southern and Western air. This not an uncommon situation, I have been monitoring it for several years. There can easily be a twenty degree difference in the highs, for the day, on each side of the jet stream. We will experience Spring when the jet stream goes North. It can happen suddenly.
Robins appeared in flocks, day before yesterday, some stayed behind and others moved North. Perhaps, they know something the weather forecasters don't. The weather forecast calls for slushy snow this week and yet next week; with highs in the thirties or low forties Fahrenheit. Do I sound gloomy? Perhaps I am a little, waiting for Spring can do that to me.
This year, especially, I have been looking forward to open pastures and a little warm weather. The hay I stored up for my goats was not up to standard. One batch was a little moldy, I couldn't smell it but the goats could. The other batch was too sticky, meaning too many sticks and stalks. Straw like might best describe it. They would eat some of it and waste most of it by dragging it out of the manger. I compensated them by giving them some goat feed that was intended for lactating animals. They are now spoiled rotten and moon and complain if I don't give them the feed. They are very healthy and have not suffered from having inferior hay; but, it will be nice to see the snow gone and the greening of the pasture.
Many years ago, when I was reading, "The Course in Miracles", I ran across a chapter titled, "To Give and Receive are the Same". At the time, I understood the meaning. We are one and can only give to ourselves. I, also, understood that giving, is, therefore, never a sacrifice. I understood it and sometimes experienced it, but not always. Last night I was reading something that stated, that the highest joy was in giving. I know we hear that as kind of a corny Christmas saying that you pay attention to until the warm fuzziness last. But I mean really. Happiness is closely tied to how free you are to give as well as receive.
People have as much trouble receiving as they do giving; maybe more. They question their worthiness. It embarrasses them. They just do not experience, the great joy of receiving gifts, they could.
Maybe, practicing giving would help them enjoy receiving. Giving has to be real. It can't be, just going through the motions. A gift is something, you give with love, intended to bring love to the recipient. I have always loved giving things away, I no longer needed, or didn't want for some reason or another. And I am more than happy to share with others the things that I enjoy. I think I could use more practice in giving away things that still have a high value to me.
The hypothesis is, we are one, to please another is to please oneself. Giving, in anyway you can, to the people around you can only enrich yourself and brings the highest happiness. It has to be real and come from that big warm heart of yours. Lets try it.
Love and Peace, Gregg
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