Journal of Sacred Work

3 responses to “Days 16-18 Open Forum for Contemplation”

1. 

   Victoria Facey

   January 16, 2009

   My heart has been mostly fragile in the new year. This is truly a year for change, and is best handled with a large dose of being positive. My heart is large, but my fears are somewhat small because I recognize that we have little control over things we don’t command.
   Although the days are moving fast in this month alone, most of us look forward to adjustments and preparation on how to handle unforseen issues. We have lost Joanne, a dear friend to cancer in our extended family; we will gather soon to support her husband, Dennis and focus on lifting his spirit to encourage him to not fade from friendship.
   Again, we live days where much has to be balanced in order to move forward. So, here’s to juggling…

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2. 

   ~liz Wessel

   January 17, 2009

   What a magnificent painting, the beauty of the light amid the shadows, the soft circular contours, a portal to transverse through, a birthing into new ways of seeing. Stairs leading us down into the depths of our being to a quiet hidden space where we can just be. Thank you for continually offering a sacred space for sharing our hearts desire. Of late I am interested in exploring the places that lie hidden from sight, uncovering the secret places that are in need of healing as I begin to understand healing occurs in light.
   My heart is walking grief’s path. I share this quote that resonnate with me. It is from a book I recently read called, “Memoirs of a Geisha,” by Arthur Golden.
   “Grief is a most peculiar thing; we’re so helpless in the face of it. It’s like a window that will simply open of its own accord. The room simply grows cold, and we can do nothing but shiver. But it opens a little less each time and a little less, and one day we wonder what has become of it.”
   A few other ramblings I would like to share….
   I take part in a spirit filled church community and I look forward to going to mass each Sunday (which is unlike my growing up experience where church was obligatory and less pleasant.) When I enter through the doors of our little church community, I experience amazing grace; the music, homily, traditions, rituals, little children bringing food to the alter, being in communion with others, is joy filled. My spirit soars in song. I have heard it said that when we sing our prayers it expands trifold, and I believe this to be true.
   I remember some dream fragments from last night. I was in a car with my mom, my brothers and sisters. We were driving along in Vermont admiring the vantage point of some lovely homes with incredible views of the mountains. I was holding a newborn baby in my arms. Next, I was suddenly relocated to a new work setting. Feeling somewhat disoriented I walked into a room that was someone else’s office. The room was dark, with only a dim light and a thick wood door. Some authority figure was coming and a man in this office hid under a bed as did I. Then I decided to get up and lock the door. The door had disappeared and there was only a curtain covering the doorway with light streaming into the room. I noticed three little baby hedgehogs as they escaped through the doorway. I went out to find them and scoop them up before they got hurt. I entered another room and I saw my brother Tom sitting on the floor holding a baby woodpecker in his hands. The bird was so little and fragile but he held him so carefully and lovingly…I awoke.
   How about you? Where is your heart today?

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3. 

   ~liz Wessel

   January 18, 2009

   Day 18
   On this eve of Martin Luther King Day I offer this poem in his memory. I offer Thankgiving for the every day heros who work tirelessly to make this a brighter world, one filled with hope and Love.
   For the expanding grandeur of Creation,
   worlds known and unknown,
   galaxies beyond galaxies,
   filling us with awe and challenging our imaginations:
   We give thanks this day.
   For this fragile planet earth,
   its times and tides, its sunsets and seasons:
   We give thanks this day.
   For the joy of human life,
   its wonders and surprises, its hopes and achievements:
   We give thanks this day.
   For our human community,
   our common past and future hope,
   our oneness transcending all separation,
   our capacity to work for peace and justice in the midst of hostility and oppression:
   We give thanks this day.
   For high hopes and noble causes, for faith without fanaticism,
   for understanding of views not shared:
   We give thanks this day.
   For all who have labored and suffered for a fairer world,
   who have lived so that others might live in dignity and freedom:
   We give thanks this day.
   For human liberty and sacred rites;
   for opportunities to change and grow, to affirm and choose:
   We give thanks this day.
   We pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes,
   not by our words but by our deeds.
   we give thanks this day.
   ~ O. Eugene Pickett

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