Tag: hands

The Mirror of Our Surroundings.

There’s so much going on in this world today, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Each day, we witness the calamities of this earth – both natural and by human hand. War, poverty…political dissent. Even our oceans, representing the very life force of this planet, are now riddled with waste. Contaminated beyond recognition.

And, our response given the criticality of these events? To build walls, reinforce our borders and fine those responsible.

But, do these actions speak to the source of our troubles? And, more importantly – do they help to offset the severity of our ‘crime’?

Sadly, this analogy extends to the circumstances of our life; the actions we take serving to cover the deeper work yet to be done.

Our initial reaction is to blame; to determine a fault outside of our own. We may deflect, defer – or cower when pressed. But in the end, it is only through our actions that we may ultimately begin to heal and grow.

The earth is just one of our many mirrors – the patterns of mind offering their influence.

What we see, in many cases, is what we project. And, the ancillary to that which we believe to be image. “How could *they* let this happen?” we might ask, as responsibility hangs delicately in balance.

Perhaps, it’s just too big to touch what lies beneath?

There is a saying: we are triggered by that ‘work yet to be done’. That single realization helps to forge new pathways of understanding; shifting the vast burden and anomalies of this earth, safely between these two hands. The same hands which steadfastly cling are also the ones which ultimately let go.

Think about that today, my friends – as you see, touch, breathe in and engage the true source of this human experience.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

The Art of ‘Bend and Flex’.

“I need to meditate…”

The thought was nearly inescapable, as I sat with mug cupped firmly in hand — tendrils of mist rising to engage. It was a gift from a friend, now soothing to hand — it’s warmth reassuring to these rigors of day.

The stiffness was quite sharp this morning, as I challenged my hand to bend, to flex…anything to ease.

It struck me as quite ironic – what we’ll do for body, though less often for soul. Is it a matter of more telling pain? Or, are we finding that one is easier to soothe?

Though, shouldn’t they be equally viewed?

“Bend, flex…” 

As the morning ushered in – I stretched and took another sip; the ‘flavors’ are always better that second time around.

Body and mind, my darlings – and, always in equally loving proportion.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

With These Two Tender Hands.

I believe it was Henri Nouwen who once said, “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”

Oh, my goodness – now, isn’t that the truth?

As I sit here, I can think to at least a half dozen times where a friendly hand has literally lifted me from the floor.

There is something which happens in those crumbly, heart-wrenching moments – something which transcend that which even the most awakened of hearts may, at first, understand.

It is a restoration of faith, of promise – a laying of hope against the new path ahead. And within that touch, a subtle warmth – with the capacity to shift even the most seemingly impossible of demands.

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion,” he writes. “who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”

And, what a blessed revelation this morning to realize – I have so many tender hands waiting for me right here.

When I first started writing, I thought, “If I could be a source of hope for just one person, then I will have succeeded.”

I never realized the community that might grow, from a simple wish of compassion and healing.

Indeed, with these two tender hands…

We can dig wells, and build houses – offering care to those in need. We can devise the means to bring comfort to the ‘wounded’, to alleviate the suffering of our fellow man.

With these two hands…

We can write books or create music or fashion brilliant works of art – inspiring hope to even the most impoverished of souls.

With these two hands, my dearest darlings…

We might create a space for loving-kindness, and one day change this world.

With just these two tender hands… <3