Quiet Reflections and Prayers
There was
a subtle shifting,
a gentle returning to
a peace
I had once known
as the connection
with all parts
of me —
within my heart.
What seemed at first
to be a pulling away
from the world
around me
became the rippling out
and receding
of my own
quiet prayers.
In-between struggling
and peace,
there was a delicate hand,
the me
that could lead
the rest of me safely
though this place.
It wasn’t each little
part alone
as it had seemed.
It wasn’t the good
and the bad.
It took each one
who had felt
separate
and tried so hard.
It took the trust
of each precious one
who dared
to show up.
And it was
this delicate
turning around
by the healer
within us all.
Thoughts began
to appear more
like subtle prayers.
Old ways of thinking
fell naturally
to the background
as my mind merged
more fully
with my heart.
Old wounds were
honored and held
with love
for as long as needed
when it was difficult
to let go
all at once.
After a while,
holding and letting go
became one movement
and life was seen as
one continuous
silent prayer.
This quiet prayer
of my heart
guided me
ever so gently
into silent spaces —
past thought —
through and past
pain and tenderness —
always safely back
to right where I started —
each time
a little more sweetly.
I found
miracles happened
when I had entered
this state of prayer
so deeply
that I no longer
needed anything
at all
to shift
on the surface.
There were
no words
and a million
silent prayers
at once.
And I knew
without doubt
that all was well
no matter what.
And so I began
to listen
to a softer voice,
one that seemed
to begin
as a whisper.
And though there was
great shaking
as old ways
faded,
I held on to
the quiet place
in my own heart —
letting go
of all that left.
And though
there was pain
in going this way,
all I remember
is the tenderness
of the gentle whisper
from my own heart
reminding always,
no matter what,
I’m still here.
From a quiet prayer,
having been embraced
by my own
inner healer,
the background
began to shift
ever so gently
to the foreground.
All the noise
that had once sent
my heart searching
for healing
settled down.
And there was peace
within
and around me.
Healing became
a sacred honor.
I found peace
in reconnecting with
what it really meant
to be alive.
I began to do my part
without a guarantee
or need
for a particular result.
The very act of holding
and honoring
became the focus.
It was in this place
that I found
my deepest comfort
and healing.
I eventually chose
healing above
all else.
I chose to use
every experience,
without exception,
as a stepping stone
to the place
of neutrality —
where there was
a quieting,
a letting go –
a reconnection
and resetting —
where clear thought,
and actions
could arise.
And I found
each moment
of reconnection
far outweighed
anything I had tried
in its place.
By grace,
I remembered
the power
of staying centered
within my heart
while offering
my part in the unfolding
of the story
we all share.
I healed
my own heart,
transformed darkness
within myself,
held and let go
of all parts
of me —
traded in every last
resentment in the search
for a deeper truth
and the slightest bit
of hope
for the remembrance
of this sacred journey
called life.
I healed
and transformed trauma
and found
a quiet prayer
connected with truth
and compassion
for all
could travel far —
reaching places
where few words
could go —
joining together
with others —
healing what had seemed
unhealable.
I honored
and traded
my own story
for a prayer.
And so I offer
this living prayer
always.
Amen
Laurie's Notes 