I want to post Parker Palmer’s post regrading where we are and how I tried to offer my own reflection in the need to have the good words of Julian;
Here's what I’ve been doing since election day: gathering (mostly online) with people who care about each other to give and receive the good words that are, as the poet says, bread for the soul.
“Good words” come in many forms. Sometimes they're words of pain, anger, and fear. Sometimes they're words of resistance and commitment to the struggle. What good words have in common is the simple fact that they come from the depths of the human heart—and when we speak them, they deepen the bond of trust that creates community.
Trust has been one of the big losers in this era of American politics—and trust is what we must restore if we are to reweave and transform the tattered fabric of our common life. So let’s begin close in, with people we know to be trustworthy. And let's keep expanding the circle to those who "stand in need" the way we do.
For the past three days, I’ve had a chance to do just that with groups ranging from 4 to 25 to 1,000. It's been healing and empowering for me.
Slowly, slowly, I’m finding ground beneath my feet again. Slowly, slowly, in the lives of my friends, colleagues, and strangers I’m seeing the bright stars V.P. Harris talked about in her concession speech—good people doing going work against stiff odds—stars that are best seen against the backdrop of a midnight sky.
David Whyte has it right: turn off the noise of what people call “the news.” Tune in to the news of the human heart where ground and guidance for the journey can always be found. Exercise the muscle called trust whenever and wherever we can—and then reach out in trust to one more and one more and one more.
No one is going to rescue us, so let's start rebuilding a community devoted to the common good from the inside out and from the ground up. We're all hungry, and we can feed each other.
Secondly-- wonderful thoughts and writing. Lately I have been going through so much, I find soul care is critical. So I sit by the River of No Agenda and I get quiet and listen. The words of one song keep coming. ....... clear the chaos and clutter, give me eyes to see the things that really matter. Be at peace and simply be. And with those words I can release all things -- and all will be well. God has not gone anywhere. I take these words with me as I leave for the operating room and heart surgery Thursday. All will be well. All manner of things.
God bless you Steve. God is in control and the River still flows
I’ll help you find notes but… what matters is your surgery. My prayers and I will hold you in my heart for this and for your recovery. I know how much you love the “river of no agenda. “ get in that river and stay. You are a blessing to me though we’ve never met! I am for you!
I want to post Parker Palmer’s post regrading where we are and how I tried to offer my own reflection in the need to have the good words of Julian;
Here's what I’ve been doing since election day: gathering (mostly online) with people who care about each other to give and receive the good words that are, as the poet says, bread for the soul.
“Good words” come in many forms. Sometimes they're words of pain, anger, and fear. Sometimes they're words of resistance and commitment to the struggle. What good words have in common is the simple fact that they come from the depths of the human heart—and when we speak them, they deepen the bond of trust that creates community.
Trust has been one of the big losers in this era of American politics—and trust is what we must restore if we are to reweave and transform the tattered fabric of our common life. So let’s begin close in, with people we know to be trustworthy. And let's keep expanding the circle to those who "stand in need" the way we do.
For the past three days, I’ve had a chance to do just that with groups ranging from 4 to 25 to 1,000. It's been healing and empowering for me.
Slowly, slowly, I’m finding ground beneath my feet again. Slowly, slowly, in the lives of my friends, colleagues, and strangers I’m seeing the bright stars V.P. Harris talked about in her concession speech—good people doing going work against stiff odds—stars that are best seen against the backdrop of a midnight sky.
David Whyte has it right: turn off the noise of what people call “the news.” Tune in to the news of the human heart where ground and guidance for the journey can always be found. Exercise the muscle called trust whenever and wherever we can—and then reach out in trust to one more and one more and one more.
No one is going to rescue us, so let's start rebuilding a community devoted to the common good from the inside out and from the ground up. We're all hungry, and we can feed each other.
I posted David Whyte’s remarkable poem in NOTES!
First. How do I get to notes??
Secondly-- wonderful thoughts and writing. Lately I have been going through so much, I find soul care is critical. So I sit by the River of No Agenda and I get quiet and listen. The words of one song keep coming. ....... clear the chaos and clutter, give me eyes to see the things that really matter. Be at peace and simply be. And with those words I can release all things -- and all will be well. God has not gone anywhere. I take these words with me as I leave for the operating room and heart surgery Thursday. All will be well. All manner of things.
God bless you Steve. God is in control and the River still flows
I’ll help you find notes but… what matters is your surgery. My prayers and I will hold you in my heart for this and for your recovery. I know how much you love the “river of no agenda. “ get in that river and stay. You are a blessing to me though we’ve never met! I am for you!
Thank you. Now help me find the notes
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https://open.substack.com/pub/pottersinn?r=1b0d0s&utm_medium=ios