December 18, 2025

Black and White Warbler — Scenes from my hammock, 22-acre woods, Indian Land, South Carolina

Doing what is called for in each situation as it arises, when, where and how it is called for, is all the is asked of us, and constitutes the flow of life and being. It is the way tennis players play the game, the way dancers dance and the way singers sing, hitting the right notes the way they need to be hit when they need to be hit. Disappearing into the moment at hand by being exactly what that moment needs, spontaneously, intuitively, instinctively, at one with the moment, with the here, now. And we do that not by thinking about it and trying to get it right, but by living like we breathe, without thinking about it, and doing it as it needs to be done even in our sleep. Live like we breathe in each situation as it arises all our life long. Disappear into the situation. Become one with the moment. Like a pitcher throwing a no-hitter, or a base runner stealing a base. Like a new born baby sleeping in its crib. A fresh hatched turtle making for the sea.

Published by jimwdollar

I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters, five granddaughters, one great granddaughter, and a great grandson on the way, within about ten minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.

Leave a comment