Quiet Reflections and Prayers
I set out to share
my own story
in my own way,
dropping the details
little by little —
until all that remained
was the most sacred layer —
the sacred journey
into the heart.
And so I entered
this state of prayer
and found my deepest comfort
where I had been
afraid to look.
I think we have hearts
because it was seen
that we might need
a safe place to go
when thoughts and life
became too much
to sort through alone.
And so we hold
this heart space
for each other —
where there is
always calm,
where we are
always okay,
always held —
just as we are.
May we find courage
to stop looking outside
and within
for something
to hide what is
most pure —
that we may find
true and lasting love
in each moment —
in your heart and mine.
And may we find
strength to hold it
together.
Amen
Listening happened
in my heart,
in my whole body,
without the need
for the constant noise
of trying so hard
or working it all out.
Experiencing happened
more naturally,
often out of
many different experiences
at once,
and organized itself
into understanding
beyond thought —
within this quiet space.
Living out of
my heart
is a little different
than living out of
the continuous stories
of the mind.
It’s quieter here,
the kind of quiet
that takes a little
readjusting.
But I continue to find
great treasures
as I remember
more and more
of how to navigate again
in this space.
Since I was a little girl,
I saw there was
more to life
than what we could see
on the surface.
And so I found myself
looking for the deeper story
in everything.
I wasn’t interested so much
in memorizing lines
and verses.
I wanted to feel
where the story
was coming from.
And so I did.
And then I experienced
what it was like
to be unable to feel
this deeper story
for a while
and struggled to find
my way back again —
so that I could share
my own story
in my own way.
It doesn’t matter
how many challenges
we are faced with.
It doesn’t matter
if I don’t know
how or when
the pain will lift
or what will show up
that will soften
your heart
and mine
I only know
that it will —
because I have been
to the place
of in-between.
And I have walked
straight through.
Sometimes it’s nice
to show up
as I am —
to meet others
as they are —
to toss my thoughts
and wait
for them to come
back down
a little more gently —
to hold a space
for just the kind
of love
that doesn’t need
a continuous narration
or specific way
to be.
At times,
the surface life
appeared unsettled.
Often there was
much to sort through.
But if I dared to sink
just a little below,
thoughts began to appear
a little slower —
offering themselves
as quiet prayers
and fading gracefully
back into stillness —
where whatever reappeared
was always just enough.
I found a certain joy
in listening
to life —
holding moments
and thoughts
and letting go —
listening without needing
to cling
or becoming stale —
joining the continuous
motion of life —
noticing the quiet stillness
in all if it.
