Quiet Reflections and Prayers
I release
these pieces
having held
and honored
and transformed
each one
into a prayer
in my heart.
I know they belong
not only to me,
but to all of us.
And so I send
this message in a bottle
back
to where I found it —
knowing whatever returns
will come freely,
as a gift from
a deeper me.
I found it didn’t
matter so much
just how things
played out
on the surface.
The wholeness
of the world
around me
and within
never left my side —
ever.
It changed form.
At times
I seemed to be
alone.
But if I got
really honest
and brave enough
to look,
there was always
some connection —
somewhere.
There were times
when the contrast
of connection
and the disconnect
was too much
to hold
all at once.
But I learned
how to hold
and honor
my own steps
and those who
crossed my path —
a little at a time.
Life became
a sacred journey.
And whatever the world
reflected back
was okay.
I learned
to use all that
had once seemed
unwanted and painful
in my experiences
and inner heart.
I found there was
tenderness
and connection
and meaning
hidden as treasures
to be found.
And so I vowed
to hold
and honor
and set down
all of it —
until I could
hear my own quiet prayers
more clearly.
It wasn’t always
comfortable.
But it was always
tender.
I found all things
responded to
being gently held…
and gently set
down.
I found a lightness
I had forgotten
and remembered
somewhere
along the way.
I was thankful
for all that had
led me around
and through
to that exact
point —
though I could offer it
no words.
I was thankful
to know
we were all
evolving.
I was honored
to continue on —
to focus
a little more sweetly
on where we were
going.
I knew it was
a really tender place.
And I knew it was
a tender place
right where we stood.
I found I could
feel my way
through this life
as I let go
a little more
of cluttered thoughts
and ideas
of how it should
look.
I found comfort
in the subtle insights
I once tried
to sort out.
There was a natural
reverence for my own
journey
and for others.
Prayers became
more wordless
as I began to trust
the one continuous
quiet prayer
I once
turned away
because the contrast
had seemed too vast.
Life became
the willingness
to notice
my own soul voice
behind everything,
to allow myself
to be connected
with my heart —
and to reflect
a little more
love.
I found
my deepest connection
in my own heart
and in the hearts
of others
who dared to find
space to hear
and follow
their own true
voices.
I found
no substitute for
this sacred space.
No treasure
or achievement
or projection
fulfilled
ever came close.
No amount of approval
ever tasted as
sweet.
There was no seeking
for it
and no grasping
when it appeared.
There was
only love.
Out of my deepest
silent prayer,
my true voice
called out
to be heard.
Its words were
clear and true
and led
safely back
to the silence
within my own
deepest heart.
I honor each part
of me
and of you
that dared
to find the way
back to our hearts.
Having been led
by a whisper
of a love
from which we felt
disconnected,
we began
and we continued on.
We spoke gently because
the delicate nature
of healing hearts
was sensed.
We found strength
in the authentic
connection
with each other
and in our ability
to trust
in our highest calling
and deepest truth
when there was
no guarantee of
how this life
would unfold.
We were healers.
What else could
we do?
Laurie's Notes 