Remember…
“The heart of most spiritual practices is simply this: Remember who you are. Remember what you love. Remember what is sacred. Remember what is true. Remember that you will die and that this day is a gift. Remember how you wish to live.” —Wayne Muller
As many of us slowly make our way out of a deep freeze or a mountain of snow, we are stepping into new territory. Sadly, these steps are made with trepidation about what’s unfolding in this country.
How nice it would be to worry only about ice on the ground instead of the horror of another death at the hand of ICE in Minneapolis last Saturday.
But part of living more contemplatively is facing head on what’s really in front of us. Contemplation has been described as “a long, loving, look at the real” by Jesuit theologian Walter Burghardt.
This is harder than we might imagine when we gaze upon such ugliness in our world. But if we can stay with it and allow our heart to engage, we can feel the emotions we need to feel, then go deeper and remember the power of love to bring about the change we wish to see.
Like me, you may feel called to make this choice again and again in the coming days: How will I choose to act with love or to shine my light and be part of creating a new America and world?
“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously.” ― Thích Nhất Hạnh
Remember who you are and the power of the present moment, then shine your light as bright as you can. Trust that what comes to mind when you read that statement is exactly what you’re meant to do right now. Each of us is called to shine differently. No judgement if your way is very different from mine. Just shine. Please shine!
May you remember the sacred flame within and shine it brightly, like a beacon in the fog, guiding yourself and others forward to a better, kinder, more compassionate world.
You Matter…
“Always remember you matter, you’re important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can.”
―Charlie Mackesy
Live in Joy
“Live in joy, luminosity, and peace even among the troubles of the world. Remember who you are.”
― Jack Kornfield
Our Deepest Fear
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love
