Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

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Days 120-121 Living an “Altogether” Life

April 28, 2012

“When we were children, we used to think that when we grew up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability. To be alive is to be vulnerable.” ~Madeleine l’engle

Vulnerability, hmmn…I grew up with fairy tales of knights riding white stallions, of happily ever after and dreams of becoming this “altogether” person living an “altogether” life. Some days, I walk around thinking that everyone around me is living an “altogether” life and I think I need to BE someone else, somewhere other than here and now, living a someplace else “altogether” life.

Oh, the tales we weave and the stories we think are ours to live.

Once my thoughts begin spinning a yarn, feelings arise. If my story stems from fear I may drift into self-criticism, judgment or perceive that someone is doing something to harm me. The scenario may repeat itself with a different cast of characters but the same dilemma. When this occurs, I can’t help but wonder what wounding lies beneath the story?

Human life is fragile, we want to be invincible and in control. Yet, I believe we each experience a core wounding that influences our life story and colors how we see…issues of trust, abandonment, being violated and betrayal, describe a few.

I’ve heard it said, that our life purpose is to forgive; ourselves and others. If we avoid and push away unwanted parts of ourselves they stubbornly revisit us, again and again in unhealthy patterns.

Just as a seed lies dormant in soil, Love naturally seeks light. Our spirit continually guides us towards wholeness and healing. Forgiveness is a gift of Grace that enables us to see Light in all, or as Jesus described, the mote in our eye is removed and our sight is restored.

During times of change and uncertainty, our stories can arise from fear with uncomfortable feelings raging within us. It can be harder still to keep up the pretense of an “altogether” life. What I am learning, and what my colleagues and friends are teaching me, is that we can create safe havens for one another. When we trust each other enough to freely express our fears and to reveal our vulnerabilities, Love begins to transforms us.

When we open in mutual vulnerability, something subtle but profound happens; we connect one heart to another and we no longer feel all alone or alienated. For when Love enters in, I suddenly find that I am right where I am needed, right where I want to be, right in this moment, and as difficult as that may sometimes be, I am loving and living my own un “altogether” life .

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.” ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

Contributed by ~liz Sorensen Wessel

Note: above photo of my enchanting prince of grandson, Cyrus Wessel, watercolor mandala by ~liz

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6 responses to “Days 120-121 Living an “Altogether” Life”

Woody Wessel

April 28, 2012

“Courage” a man once said “Is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

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Maria Doglio

April 28, 2012

Liz, you hit a common bond with me (once again!)with your description of longing for the “altogether life”. It means something different to each of us and within each of us, the vision of an “altogether life” changes as we grow older in the way we personally change through our experience. All of us on this particular Earthly journey together chooses what that is for themselves, making adjustments along the way. For me, finding a home to own in my senior years has brought back a balance in my own vision of what I want life to be–it’s the roots, the foundations to build on–the heart of the home which is so important to me.
I have this image of the “altogether life” that is of telescoping nature…it starts with our own personal vision, moves to our family that is a collective vision of the “altogether life”, and that moves to our work place that presents another collective vision of life, and from there it keeps moving out to town, state, country, and the whole earth itself, all collective visions melded into the collective consciousness—and it doesn’t stop there. The collective consciousness vision of the people telescopes out into the cosmos….and keeps going into infinity. How we effect everything depends on the current state of our individual and collective consciousness. AND it all keeps changing as we change! Wow, I think that was a mouthful!
I think we get disgruntled about our vision of life when in the midst of change. But we also choose how we react to it. There is no right or wrong choice of our reactions, just the experiences of who we are at the moment to reflect upon later. I also think when we are feeling vulnerable and we ask for help, the right person(s)always shows up with the love and words and good advice to help us. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of people openly expose their vulnerable feelings when the people show up who they can trust and who offer loving care. They give us the courage to “saddle up” for the long ride.

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erie chapman

April 28, 2012

Fairy tales are spun in the image of your grandson and in your butterfly sun, Liz. Thank you for your vulnerability. -erie

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Maureen McDermott

April 29, 2012

Liz, once again you have captured the essence of our life experiences. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability which sets aflame alight within me. Particularly, I connect into your reflection, “When we open in mutual vulnerability, something subtle but profound happens; we connect one heart to another and we no longer feel all alone or alienated. For when Love enters in, I suddenly find that I am right where I am needed, right where I want to be, right in this moment, and as difficult as that may sometimes be, I am loving and living my own un “altogether” life.” When we take the risk the miracle follows.

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candace nagle

April 29, 2012

Yes. I agree with Maureen about that particular passage of your reflection. This place of Love is pure Grace. When we are vulnerable and share in a place of trust, the fear is dispelled and we can see a truer picture of what is happening in our lives. We aren’t lost afterall…we are just where we need to be, doing the work that is ours to do. We are so fortunate to have each other…what more could we ask for? Trust, trust, and more trust.

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marily

May 4, 2012

… living in dependence on Him means living an altogether life for me… the letting go and the giving of my all, living in His presence through tough or easy times.. is enjoying the abundant life we’re promised.

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