The Joy of a Broken Heart
Topic: coping

Palmer challenges us to allow our hearts to be broken.   That's what I would call "embracing the journey," which is the theme of the retreat I'm leading May 2-4. 

Rather than shying away from circumstances that would break our hearts, we can welcome the opportunity to stand in the tragic gap, speaking or just waiting, allowing ourselves to do the deepest soul work, as we wait for the awakening of institutions--our families, as well as churches, schools, health care providers.  We need not fear having a broken heart, and our broken hearts need not be irreparably broken into a million pieces. 

We can turn our broken hearts into hearts that are more open to the world's hurts.  Like many of you, we can turn our sorrows into the greatest joys as we are willing to take in what we need to learn and experience. 

Many times in my own life, my heart has been broken.  Each time I allow this, rather than fight it, I find the greatest joy rising from what within me has died.  What a paradox!

Enriching Our Lives
Topic: Making Changes

I've often noticed that whenever I enlarge my world, I increase my understanding and enrich my life.  Yet almost always, I increase the stress in my life--at least initially, as I learn to absorb the new truths and relationships that challenge my old belief system, allowing me to see new possibilities, new problems, and a new sense of calling.  As I absorb the stresses and meet them, I am forced to allow some things within me to die so that more important things emerge, things more pertinent for the present.  Things that may not have even worked in the past. 

All of this works together to move me out of the shadows into the ever-changing light of day.

The Secret of Collaboration
Topic: Making Changes

Parker Palmer says we learn to trust others when we have done our soul work.  That's what few people seem willing to do.  When we have done this very intense spiritual work, we strip ourselves of competitiveness and the paranoia that makes us see monsters in every corner of our world while being alert to what is really a threat to us, to our personal safety, and to our accomplishment of noble goals.

 

Dreaming the Impossible
Topic: Making Changes
Only as we dream of possibilities and impossibilities are we able to challenge ourselves and others.  In so doing we sometimes reach what we once thought was impossible, as well as a large percentage of what we see as possible.  Much more likely, at least, than if we had never dreamed. 

Being Reflective Rather than Reactive
Topic: Making Decisions

It is SO difficult for me to wait for a truth to be revealed, as I listen with empathy to the struggles of others.  I so much want to see things fixed, to see the student learn, to see the sick person find health and well-being, to help achieve a fast cure of an ill in society.  To see our institutions be something that the institution just can't possibly produce without a massive amount of work.  Because the problems that I see as so simple at times are really incredibly complex.

How I want to believe that my only speaking or writing the right words is going to produce something magical.  We are told that we can move mountains if we only have faith.  I really believe this is true--provided our faith is a mature faith, rather than one that sees a life and a theology that is constantly moving forward without regression. 

Our societies and out institutions, just as we as individuals, change very slowly at best.  Sometimes not at all.

So here we are again:  Praying for the wisdom to know the difference between what we can realistically change and what we cannot.  And being content to stand in the "tragic gap," even as we are in the process of sorting it out.

 

Two Similar Errors
Topic: Making Changes

Parker Palmer declares that standing in the "tragic gap" requires that we hold the tension between what is and the new possibilities that our souls are opening to see.  Basically, it's accepting the things that we cannot change because of where we are.  Rather than making  the primitive choices of either fight or flight.

Oh, how difficult it is to stand in that state of waiting!  Acting and speaking in ways that hold the tension, without demanding a change that cannot be at this time. 

 

 

Going to Deeper to Rise Higher
Mood:  happy
Topic: Power

As you celebrate Easter, may you find transcendence that allows you to leave the mundane behind.  Even as you enlarge the list of what is truly mundane.  May you think of higher things in a way that only transcendence allows you to do. 

Happy Easter!

Choosing to Embrace the Struggle
Topic: spirituality

The struggle that we choose to embrace is always an important one. It is embracing the struggle that is the most difficult part of the process.  We crucify ourselves when we choose not to do so. 

Re-Framing the Storms of Life
Topic: spirituality

The grace of God often comes to me as I am able to see the problems I have NOT had. Through this, I can see the luxuries that are mine, even in the midst of the storms.