Quiet Reflections and Prayers
There was something
tender about walking
through intense darkness
and intense light.
There was a
very real choice in
each moment to reach
more deeply into my Self
and to offer my love
more intensely to the world —
to align with all that was
beautiful about being alive
and to live as a prayer —
no matter what.
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 came
as I learned to
process life
in subtler ways —
feeling for wisdom
in all of my
experiences,
not sorting out
each one,
but listening with
my heart
beneath the stories
on the surface.
It was a welcome
shift from how it
had been
into finding and being
the healer within.
During times
of great shifting,
when emotions were
intense
and bodies
and minds tired
most easily
with each added thought
and moment of
learning,
I found it was
possible to return
my focus
to the stillness
within
and count every
single piece of
wisdom gained as valuable —
while being willing
to hold it
lightly —
remaining unafraid
to release all
into the creative space
I learned to
embrace again
and again,
each time a little more
completely,
as I continued on.
I found there was
a choice
in each moment.
I could choose
to follow the flow
of life,
co-creating with it,
or to move
in the other
direction.
And so I began
to choose
the gentler way.
For a while,
I looked to the
outer world for
something that would
offer an answer
or mend the whole
in my heart.
But this journey
had a way of
softening the healer
in me,
little by little —
until the purity
of her love
could no longer be
denied —
until there were
no more holes
in my heart
to be filled.
And life began
to reflect a truer,
gentler me.
I learned to listen
to life,
not as a distant,
separate being,
but as a gentle
interpreter
of messages to
deeper parts of
me.
I loved
the tender way
the messages softened
as I found courage
to soften
my own heart
a little more.
I learned to move
in compassion.
I chose to notice
subtle insights
and find clarity.
I chose to know
myself more deeply
as both body
and spirit,
in this body for
a purpose I didn’t always
understand.
I chose to experience
negative emotions
and challenges
in new ways
and allow myself to be
drawn to new experiences
I didn’t know existed.
These new experiences
showed themselves
to me
as one continuous
quiet prayer.
And so I honored
this journey
in myself and
others.
I chose to listen
to the quiet prayer
of my heart.
I learned to
feel into subtle
experiences and
knowings beyond thought
I searched for
peace and fell in
love with gentleness.
I allowed
my life to flow into
more gentleness —
for that was
what I had come
to do.
Thank you
for kindness.
Thank you for
smiles and notes
and true
connection.
Thank you for
quiet reflections
of peace
as I find
balance within
my own deepest
heart.
Amen
Laurie's Notes 