Quiet Reflections and Prayers
It was the subtle release into a gentle flow that taught me how to soften. Relief came each time I found just enough courage to listen and to soften my own heart a little more.
It came in the quiet pauses just before words of comfort began to form and lingered sweetly — forever.
I learned to look for the light in every experience, no matter how dark it looked at first glance. It meant being willing to not know exactly how situations would transform, while knowing they would in fact transform.
It meant being willing to be still in my heart and diligent with thoughts while daring to place my feet in the world of form.
There was a delicate softening — the transformation into tenderness. Tenderness spilled over again and again from the ever-present quiet prayer within my deepest heart.
Life became gentler with every gentle shift inside. At times it was painfully subtle. Sometimes I would look back, and the contrast could be seen as vast .
I stopped falling into smaller parts of me and began to hold them instead. I tossed everything else to God — holding and letting go at once.
It took a little practice, but I learned to remain in my heart. I learned to honor all that was painful while holding space for tenderness.
I began to sink into my heart a little more each time I remembered I had the option to remain there. Experiences that seemed unhealable at first glance began to reflect the softening in my own heart.
What Now became
a way of being.
It took a bit of practice
to allow my mind
to relax into a place
of surrender to the prayer
within my heart
and to integrate parts of me
I had previously struggled
against.
But it was there hidden within
this place
that I found true healing
and peace.
It was comforting
to find
that somewhere
hidden safely beyond
whatever appeared
was something
a little purer.
It just took a moment
to adjust
to being without
so many added
layers of thought.
When the world seems
most noisy, point us to our
hearts. Speak through us,
reminding all parts of us of
our mission to reflect
what is within
into a world in need of
softening. Amen
I learned the value
in aligning
with my own
heart.
Old patterns
fell away as
I continued to love
all of the many
different parts of
Self.
The goal in each
new moment became
accepting and
integrating parts of
the whole,
allowing love
to flow more freely
from within.
There was a settling
down into my heart
that continued to deepen.
I began to understand
beyond thinking
and listen beyond words.
I learned to hold
my own shadows
and light —
letting go of ideas
held too tightly
in exchange for
the lightness
of compassion for
myself and others
and the renewed strength
to continue on
as a clearer reflection
of my own quiet
prayer.
Softening became
a choice
in each moment
as I learned
to trust my own heart
a little more
completely.
Experiences began to
match the gentleness
of my own quiet
prayers.
Laurie's Notes 