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.
At times
when contrast
and noise
seemed to get
louder,
I found it most
comforting to focus
on the quiet prayer
that never left
my heart.
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 found I could
send a note
back
through time
to the place
just before
I needed it —
reaching into
a wordless place
that couldn’t be reached
in any other
way.
Life became
a little sweeter
as I continued
to light my own
unfolding path.
Sometimes
the very best
I could do
was focus where
I was —
sinking
just below
the surface
where quiet prayers
were felt —
following —
floating —
allowing
each piece
of me
to flow most
naturally
in the direction
of my
heart.
There were times
it seemed
my spirit
was tired.
And so I continued on
a little more
gently —
finding rest
as I lightly embraced
and let go
with open hands
and an open
heart.
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
all those old
longings to be seen
and understood
and invisible
and left alone
and right
and all that other
Stuff
had actually been
multiple sides
of the same longing for
my own whole
Self.
When I was connected,
I found life to be
a little less
conditional
and a lot more
fun.
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.
Laurie's Notes 