New Perspectives

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Keith Reynolds

Last September I spent a good part of the day paddling a kayak from Paisley to Southampton.  The air was clear and the water was flowing well.  I saw a heron on five different occasions.  Whether we made the journey as companions of a sort or whether there were a number of them along the way, I could not tell.

Since moving to this area six years ago, I had wanted to paddle the Saugeen.  I had heard lots about the May 2-4 weekend and interesting stories of soaking adventure along the river.  But, until a few months ago, I had never been in it or on it.  I had not experienced the Saugeen River.

It is now early December and Saugeen Shores has leaned into the season leading up to Christmas.  In some ways I find myself back on the Saugeen, not with the intention of paddling now but rather the sense of being in the river and living the experience.  How will I “get into” Christmas this year?  How will you prepare to be welcomed into the spirit of this season?  I don’t necessarily mean with giving gifts, as wonderful as that can be.

What I imagine is the way in which a season with its sights and smells, spirit and song can help us to get into it.  The season will not be perfect or all sparkles.  For some it may be quite painful.

As the river of life continues to flow, the invitation remains to get into it, to live the experience fully.  To live the experience of Christmas fully does not mean it will be everything we expect it to be. Perhaps we might receive a different kind of gift.  A gift which says, your life matters.  A gift which reveals the wonder of generosity.  A gift which unwraps itself in the surprise of kindness from a stranger.  A gift which becomes opened when we remain open to the hidden treasures of life.

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Wednesday, December 01, 2010