Soul Yearns

"The soul does not want to be advised or fixed or saved.  

It simply wants to be witnessed; to be seen, heard, 

and companioned exactly as it is."

Parker Palmer

It doesn't matter if you believe in the same things that I hold dear, but I would be grateful if you respected my right to be me.  It is important that you are willing to stand in the same space with me, where we can simply witness each other.

It is healthy for me to speak my truths, to hang them out there whether they are embraced or ignored.  It helps me when I can hear my words spoken out loud.  It is within this process, I come to realize what no longer resonates or what helps me to thrive.

My soul yearns to be one with all peoples, places, and things.  I can feel myself expand as it resonates with collective energies raising positive vibrations. As we join together, peace can be contained so our souls can become one.

 

Doors Open and Close

"As often happens on a spiritual journey,

we have arrived at the heart of the paradox:

each time a door closes,

the rest of the world opens."

Parker Palmer

If we first make a list of the many things that have gone wrong in our lives and then make a second list of everything that has been right, we can compare the two and indicate with a mark which event triggered a change.  The change usually is prompted by a challenge.  We learn through difficult experiences, more than happy events.

We find that as we end one portion of our life, we are actually starting a new.  When we close the door, by the time we adjust and turn around, we find a new one opening.  We may not be aware of it from the beginning, but it is there formulating.

Once I was confiding in my college roommate  about a block I was facing and she replied, "You know, it just shouldn't be that hard!"   She was spot on as the difficultly continued to increase until I exclaimed, "Enough!" I was forcing myself in a direction I wasn't meant to go.  Life is not easy, but we often times make it too hard!

Culture Shock

 

 "Culture change is neither quick nor easy - it will take a long time to find

our way through the smoke and mirrors.  But all long journeys begin with

one small step, so her's a modest proposal:  let's reclaim 'disillusionment'

as a word that names of blessing rather than a curse."

Parker Palmer

As I slowly thaw from the frozen state of shock, I find myself facing fear reminding me of my emotional reactions to the plane crashes years ago in New York City.    Disillusioned, I am forced to face the reality of our culture.

I refuse to be cynic or a hater.  I listen to differences without acting upon them.  We are free to create our belief systems as long as they harm no one.  I need to move over and give more room to those who do not think like me.  Isolating myself only weakens movement towards peace.

In order to continue to move forward to a sense of oneness, I must remain resilient in compassion and respect.  I can open myself to the truth of others and actualize discrepancies in our knowledge.  The focus must allow space for each and every person, to com-exist in a peaceful atmosphere, and step through the illusion of fear.  Change occurs together, as we recognize blessings rising from negative clashes.