In regards to slowing down… simplifying
Sheesh, it’s been a long time since I’ve ventured out here. Perhaps, in recovery… perhaps, in rest… I’ve been thinking in my down time about slowing down and simplifying. Voices from my past telling me, “You need to be doing more, need to be more productive.” Or, “What you are doing is not valuable. Need to be busy… too much free time means something is not right.”
As I listen… through my initial thoughts of feeling guilty for not doing more, I realize there is a freedom with not being stretched thin. If people are invested in too many things here and too many things there… yes, they are left with much to do and think about. Sometimes an overwhelming amount of things. Politics, blogging, activism, boozing, success… the list goes on.
To be singular (or at least minimal) in thought and purpose and to live there… fully… is that not enough to free one up from so much that is peripheral? In this way of being, do we not finally allow ourselves time to fully rest? I don’t have to feel guilty for not being busy. I don’t have to feel lacking for not being stretched thin. Freedom… I know what I have to do… what I am supposed to do, so that when the time comes, I might do it, do it well and I may know that no one else can do it as well as I will.
The question remains then: What is it that you, reader, are meant to do? What is peripheral and what is central.core?
About Nate
Currently, Nate is living in Bend, OR, working as the co-founder for VillageWorks (celebrating abundance | creative connectivity) and the singular Bend|OR advocate of BridgeWorks (an educational 501[c]3). He is connecting and holding space for an emerging community of people, young and old, who are seeking to grow into more sustainable and mature relationships… with self, community and God. The vision on his heart is one of giving people experience of village culture and practice.
Nate can be found connecting people through at The Hub, VillageWorks’ Central Oregon community connection center (www.rockthevillage.com) and making oven pancakes for the biggest regular “village” breakfast in Bend every Saturday morning at 9:30.
Nate went to Bethel College in St Paul, MN (’03), got his BA in Youth Ministry, completed his Masters in Divinity at Bethel Seminary (’06) with an emphasis in Spiritual Formation, and is currently pursuing a certificate in Spiritual Formation at George Fox Seminary in Portland. His hope is to continue to pursue community spiritual formation within the framework of the neighborhood conversation and cross-cultural dialog.
Nate has been connecting people into more authentic community in Bend | OR since June ’07. Since day one of his arrival, Nate has been gifted with the chance to listen and learn about the culture and people of Central Oregon. Because of his passion for conversation and community, he has fallen in love with the people of this wonderful city and is committed to the growth of more intentional and transformational community.
Nate’s particular areas of interest are:
* conversational transformation
* spiritual formation
* relational mentoring and counseling
* small group strengthening
* men’s work (spiritual, emotional, and relational)
* “Village Knowledge” of homecraft, live food, etc
* Intergenerational community
* New visions of the gifts we offer to the community
* teaching for the 21st century, and more.
At this time Nate has not written any books, but hopes to some day have enough material to put into some type of publication. At this point, he is dedicated to building relationships in Bend, Central Oregon, and across the United States to connect people to what is happening in an emerging and evolving paradigm and with those who are seeking to follow God and live more authentically in the transforming presence of the divine.
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