I became unafraid
to turn a different way.
And I didn’t mind
the silence
long pauses,
or solitude
because I had seen
the most beautiful treasures
where there is
no more path.
Quiet Reflections and Prayers
I became unafraid
to turn a different way.
And I didn’t mind
the silence
long pauses,
or solitude
because I had seen
the most beautiful treasures
where there is
no more path.
Peace, I found,
wasn’t at the end
of a neatly sorted
journey,
but in each moment
I dared to look life
straight in the eye
and see through
what appeared on the surface.
After a while,
the tender beauty
in being able to hold
and let go of
whatever appeared
with grace and honor
and space
became the essence
of every experience.
I found my focus
within my heart.
And to my surprise,
it seemed more efficient
to keep it there
and allow what was
outside to shift.
Or perhaps it was
that space within my heart
that grew.
I found there was
a natural reaching
that came out of
each silent surrender
and each quiet prayer.
And I no longer needed
to be sorted out
or understood.
I only needed a hand
and just enough hope
to allow the true me
to emerge.
For a while,
it seemed fitting
to find just the right words
to reflect
what I had found
in my heart.
And then, to my surprise,
I found it rather beautiful
to let the words come
more naturally
from a little deeper me —
even if they felt
a little less graceful
at first —
even if there were
no words at all.
I found great strength
in the willingness
to show up —
to honor and see
a little past
what appeared
on the surface —
to hold a space
instead of trying
to fill it up.
All of the little
parts of me
began to fade
just enough
to always be connected
with my whole Self.
But I continued on
with honor
and the quiet joy
and compassion
that came out of being whole
and also in pieces.
I found there was
always space
within my heart.
And there was comfort
where words couldn’t go —
the silent places into which
they faded
and appeared again
in different forms
without ever losing
their true essence.
And so my heart
was drawn
to all that was
simple and pure.
And my mind was clear
and still —
no longer desiring
to push or impose —
in sweet surrender
to my heart.
Let our focus be
on listening
a little more deeply,
below the surface —
that we may hear
a different voice —
the quieter,
more subtle knowing
within.
Amen.