Drawn to Gratitude

 By Diane Harpster, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15



As we near the time of year when our hearts and minds turn to giving thanks, I find myself experiencing mixed emotions.  I know I’m not alone in that.  As we briefly considered meeting up somewhere with our children who live out of state, we quickly realized that’s probably not the thing to do this year.  As much as we long to be together, we long more for this pandemic time to be over.  And we are grateful for technology that makes it possible to still be able to gather safely across the miles through a virtual connection.   

Even though we are not yet through this time that has presented extreme challenges and changes in the daily life of each and every one of us, Thanksgiving is here again.  And we don’t have to look far to find things for which we are grateful, whether it’s the gift of a warm November day, a kind and caring act of a neighbor dropping off a plate of cookies, or a “thinking of you text” from a friend.  What comes to mind for you today as something that you might even not have noticed as a particular blessing in pre-COVID times?  

For me, it’s an opportunity that virtual technology afforded me earlier this month.  Several years ago I discovered a process of drawing that is called the Zentangle Method.  It is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.  These patterns are drawn on small pieces of paper called “tiles”.  Tools required are minimal – pen, paper, pencil, and tortillon (blending tool).  The process itself is a meditative one that combines my enjoyment of creative expression with my need for calming and centering space and time in my life. 

One can be trained to be a Certified Zentangle Teacher by taking part in one of a few seminars that are offered in specific locations around the world each year.  Limitations of time and finances meant that taking part in a seminar remained a dream for me.  But then, due to COVID, they decided to try offering an online opportunity for the very first time.  

As so many of us have experienced in these last months, our preconceived notions of what is possible have been shaken up.  We have been forced into new ways of thinking about what can be done.  Who would have thought we could do church online!?  And, indeed, one of the underlying principles of the Zentangle process itself is learning what you didn’t know you could do. 

I didn’t know I could draw!  They didn’t know this training could be delivered online.  

Guess what – 497 people from 32 countries registered for this first-time learning opportunity!  I’m guessing that number is nowhere near what was possible at an in-person event.  And during three and a half days of virtual learning, stories were shared via chat box.  Stories of those like me who hadn’t found it possible to travel to an in-person seminar.   Stories of how this simple creative and contemplative practice was helping people deal with stress, anxiety, and chronic pain in their own lives.   Stories from doctors taking part so they could prepare to share the process with first responders and health care workers overwhelmed by stress.  Stories of teachers learning so they could share with kindergarteners through high school students dealing with the unique stressors of remote learning situations.  

Face it, we are becoming weary of physical distancing, mask wearing, changing of plans and routines.  But what new possibilities and perspectives are becoming apparent to us as we are forced to slow down and reassess what we can do and have done that we didn’t know we could do?  What can we be grateful for as our celebrating and thanks-giving looks a bit different this year?  How are we being drawn to look more closely at the blessings we are given?

I had the opportunity this month to connect with 497 people from all around the world.  While I don’t know many of them by name, I now know a few with whom I will continue connecting and sharing.  And during those days of shared virtual learning, I knew I was connected to a web of caring, kind, creative, individuals who are, like me, looking for ways to create beauty and to somehow offer the healing potential of a practice of creativity, mindfulness, and presence to others.

Even in the chaos of these times, the peace of Christ lives in us.  As the body of Christ, we are called to peace and thankfulness.  And we are given so many gifts to help us to do so.  Sometimes we just need our eyes opened to those things we hadn’t even noticed as the gifts they are.  Thanks be to God for each and every gift!

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