On the Minister’s Mind
by Rev. Laine Morgan
Near my home is a fresh market that sells produce from local farms at pretty remarkable prices. They also bring in produce from other places so that their available products meet most shopping needs, making it a very popular place to be on any given day. But, it is one of the few grocery stores where seasonal offerings vary widely.
What I love about shopping there is finding the freshest, most abundant fruits and vegetables and planning menus around utilizing those offerings in season. Strawberries are a beautiful example right now, and they are plentiful and fragrant. Choosing a flat of strawberries in anticipation of using them in salads and yogurt and smoothies, and eating them right out of the box, is lovely!
This newsletter is being published on February 26th – Carpe Diem Day. Carpe diem is a Latin phrase meaning “seize the day.” It comes from the Roman poet Horace, when he wrote around 23 BC these words - "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Translated as, “Pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in tomorrow.” The verb "carpe” means to pluck or harvest, like fruit at its ripest moment. Much later Robert Frost published a poem, expressing his desire for everyone to be “Happy, happy, happy and seize the day of pleasure.”
The point is that each day is an opportunity and a gift, but it is up to us to “seize” it and use the energy given to us in measure for this moment to its fullest. But that takes practice, doesn’t it? It is so easy to get lost in our routine and realize that much of the day is gone before we even realize it. Whether distracted by our “to do list” or the screens of all sizes filling our time or the busy-ness that we can’t even name, a day can seem to evaporate if we can’t find intentional mindfulness.
Another ancient Roman, Marcus Aurelius said - "When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love."
I think Aurelius was wise. The best time to seize the day is first thing in the morning. It is the perfect time to wake up and connect with your inner self and soulfully consider the spiritual purpose for this day. Take a moment to connect with your intentions for each activity on your schedule, or at least decide how you want to show up in your interactions on this day. The morning also happens to be the best time to head to the market for the freshest produce if you want to have the widest selection! It’s funny how universal some principles really are.
So, what is yours to seize today? What is ripe for picking in your life? I trust that it is something more significant than fresh strawberries, but if not, they are not a bad choice for sure! Here’s what I know – the season of readiness can pass for all things, and if you haven’t been intentional, you might miss the best proverbial strawberries.