I have the sweet opportunity to work at our friends’ winery in the Hill Country of Texas, whenever they need an extra hand. The tasting room is super busy these days. The wine is fabulous, the place is gorgeous and the whole world is in love with Fredericksburg. I drive an hour and a half to get there. It sounds like a long way to go for a 5 hour shift, but it is totally worth it. It’s a wonderful place to work, hang out and just be. The owners are beautiful souls and the employees & guests are equally so.
I like working Tuesdays because it’s generally void of the madness the weekend in a vacation destination town brings.
I had a particularly off-centered morning a few weeks ago. I was dwelling on the junk rather than the light. I was finding that old familiar ache of not being able to wrangle the past and at the same time thinking I had some control over the future. The past is just that. The future, well.. I’d be a gazillionaire if I could predict it. For some reason on this bright sunny morning, I was trying to live in both realms of consciousness rather than being present. I don’t know why we dwell on the past. I really don’t understand that part of our brain that swings back to bummer days, aches and sadness...rather than looking around and seeing the beauty of the present moment. It doesn’t sneak up on me that often, but sometimes it just does.
So while I was driving to the winery, I tried to subdue the blues and listen to a couple of podcasts. I love listening to anything that will lift me up and or expand my horizons. I have been listening a lot to the Super Soul Sunday Podcast by Oprah. Oprah (my friend who lives in Maui), shares insights from her many guests that have wisdom, depth and spirit filled teachings. I l o v e listening to this particular podcast. I have a notebook that I keep in the passenger seat that holds many scribbles (I’m a note-taker) for me to try and decipher when I arrive. It’s kind of a fun game. A couple of my favorites are: “Noehisn hathingns until youdegirnsglsl.sss. Which I think is supposed to read...”Nothing happens until you decide”. Or this peach: resimenhemegnsig eingnsomgmdrhh Rehinsmgm. Which I figured out to be.. “Resemble, reflect and reveal the character of the One who created us.”
My note taking skills while driving leave something to be desired...but I adore the messages and want to remember that feeling of inspiration. Oprah & her teachers helped me once again find a sense of balance and perspective, before I stepped out of my car and into customer service. I took a moment to sit in my car and center myself. I prayed that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I prayed that I might be an instrument of love. I prayed that I remembered all of the wine lingo that I learned the last time I was at Texas Heritage. I prayed that I would be a better listener than talker.
My first guests of the day were a mother and a daughter on a girl’s trip. They were delightful, light hearted and really kind spirits. I asked, as I often do... what their names were. The mother, who was about 65 years old said her name was Karma. My first guest’s name was Karma. Her daughter’s name was Haley or Kaley or Shalaylee... (so much for being a good listener..) but I was so taken by someone named Karma!!
My second guests were seated at the table next to Karma. They were delightful too. I asked the young lady her name. Her name was Grace.
Karma and Grace.
Karma and Grace.
They could have been seated anywhere on that patio...but just the thought of Karma and Grace stopping by...was a nod & a wink (at least to me) on that beautiful early summer day, after a tough drive... through the Hill Country of Texas.
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