Thank you, Vanessa, for giving grace-filled words to the thoughts of us not talented enough to express our feelings and opinions in such a wonderful way! A winning quote for me:
“We need to rest in to the gaps. Notice the cracks. Let ourselves be disrupted. Pay less attention to the confident voices. Listen for the quiet ones. Seek them out. Raise them up. Receive their gift. Be changed.”
I have the honor and the weight of reading dozens of letters from prisoners each week. It anchors me. Presidents come and presidents go. But for the invisible and forgotten, it's just another day. Hundreds of letters since November and these folks have next to nothing to say about the election. But they had a whole lot to say about their actual lives, their loves, their joy and their suffering. Sometimes I see the "supposed events of the day" as an interesting backdrop/setting for the story of the lives we love. Like if a guy were to go to the theatre to see Les Miserable and the whole time just obsessively stare at the props and miss the actual show. Oof. Wouldn't want to be that guy.
Thank you for this Diana. For sharing this perspective. And modelling a way to listen for the quieter voices, through the cracks. I wonder if news of the election will begin to become evident in the letters you receive as new policies take effect on the ground. It is beautiful to read of this practice in your life.
This is a wonderfully fitting honouring of the beautiful soul that is Rafael. When I read the title I hoped it might be him.
I had a one of those good little cries-while-smiling through that part.
It's also great to have insight into your essential books. I'm delighted to know that "The Poet, The Warrior, The Prophet" is there. That has been a life changing text for both Rory and I.
Thanks for this, and for the link. I think whirlwinds that result from times of stillness and surrender can carry a different kind of authority to whirlwinds that are assumed to have authority just because of their force. And I think we often lack wisdom (and motivation) to discern between the two. But yes, they can still lead to some kind of upturning. Your reflections on the psychology of this are helpful - thanks.
I think this is good question Khalid. And actually that passage is so much more complex than I have made it seem, because, as you probably know, after the whisper, Elijah hears the God character in the story tell him to do certain things which, he is reassured, will enact vengeance/bring out some kind of apparent justice.
When it comes to us humans. Yes, I agree that safe friendships where you trust you can reveal your darker side and still be loved and accepted are really important, and doing so can deepen them. I like thinking of myself as a kind, generous person, so I do have to listen very carefully for the darker whispers in myself which are often wanting revenge or to cause harm in some way. I love that the Bible owns that and makes it plain that G_d isn't surprised by our darker human tendencies, and that we can bring all of it before G_d...name things plainly... no shame... and ask for help.
There is a lyric from Leonard Cohen’s song “The Window”:
“O bless the continuous stutter of the Word being made into flesh…”
Your story about Raphael, deeply stirring my heart and washing my eyes with tears, vividly called that lyric to mind. Thank you
I need to listen to that. His soul was so rich and deep. Thank you for this.
Please do. It’s a magnificent and mysterious song
Thank you, Vanessa, for giving grace-filled words to the thoughts of us not talented enough to express our feelings and opinions in such a wonderful way! A winning quote for me:
“We need to rest in to the gaps. Notice the cracks. Let ourselves be disrupted. Pay less attention to the confident voices. Listen for the quiet ones. Seek them out. Raise them up. Receive their gift. Be changed.”
Thanks for this Arthur.
I have the honor and the weight of reading dozens of letters from prisoners each week. It anchors me. Presidents come and presidents go. But for the invisible and forgotten, it's just another day. Hundreds of letters since November and these folks have next to nothing to say about the election. But they had a whole lot to say about their actual lives, their loves, their joy and their suffering. Sometimes I see the "supposed events of the day" as an interesting backdrop/setting for the story of the lives we love. Like if a guy were to go to the theatre to see Les Miserable and the whole time just obsessively stare at the props and miss the actual show. Oof. Wouldn't want to be that guy.
Thank you for this Diana. For sharing this perspective. And modelling a way to listen for the quieter voices, through the cracks. I wonder if news of the election will begin to become evident in the letters you receive as new policies take effect on the ground. It is beautiful to read of this practice in your life.
This is a wonderfully fitting honouring of the beautiful soul that is Rafael. When I read the title I hoped it might be him.
I had a one of those good little cries-while-smiling through that part.
It's also great to have insight into your essential books. I'm delighted to know that "The Poet, The Warrior, The Prophet" is there. That has been a life changing text for both Rory and I.
Thanks for this Jez. It's a stunner of a book isn't it. x
How wonderful to hear your voice! Brilliant 👏👏👏
Thank you L. xxx
Great piece
Thanks J. x
I’m grinning widely.x
Thanks for this, and for the link. I think whirlwinds that result from times of stillness and surrender can carry a different kind of authority to whirlwinds that are assumed to have authority just because of their force. And I think we often lack wisdom (and motivation) to discern between the two. But yes, they can still lead to some kind of upturning. Your reflections on the psychology of this are helpful - thanks.
I think this is good question Khalid. And actually that passage is so much more complex than I have made it seem, because, as you probably know, after the whisper, Elijah hears the God character in the story tell him to do certain things which, he is reassured, will enact vengeance/bring out some kind of apparent justice.
When it comes to us humans. Yes, I agree that safe friendships where you trust you can reveal your darker side and still be loved and accepted are really important, and doing so can deepen them. I like thinking of myself as a kind, generous person, so I do have to listen very carefully for the darker whispers in myself which are often wanting revenge or to cause harm in some way. I love that the Bible owns that and makes it plain that G_d isn't surprised by our darker human tendencies, and that we can bring all of it before G_d...name things plainly... no shame... and ask for help.