I too avoided the news of yesterday. I finished my first substack since the election and posted it. It was titled “what’s love got to do with it”. I had 2 of my daughters and my grandkids over for dinner. I worked on repairing a knitting project I had screwed up. I had a good day.
Then I woke up this morning with “proud boys” on my mind. I woke to the realization that some frightening days are ahead. I turned to Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation and was reminded “Through accepting reality, we find a greater capacity to love what is.” Ok, I’ve endured hard times. I’ve gotten past fantasy ideas of love and know a little about the hard core truth—you have to start with loving yourself before you will ever be able to love another. So I will love as I know how, and hopefully learn how to go deeper. I will pour out the love I have on those around me.
Love has a way of accepting you as you are, but it doesn’t want you to stay there when you are down. Love offers a compassionate hand to help another up. Perhaps, in hard times it offers a root. When we are hunkered in the bunkers, I know roots can push through the concrete. Sprouts can break through, tender and green at first, but given nourishment, they can become mighty trees! Trees can speak prophesies!
Thank you for shoring me up! May we reach others with our roots and sprout, and perhaps spout the prophesy we are given so that others can hear and know.
Linda, thank you for this amazing comment! You are doing the work of love, and it's beautiful. I rely on Richard Rohr so much myself. I love the image of the root, and that's what I've been praying for--that they will crack the sidewalk! Committed to growing in love and action alongside you. Thank you for being here.
Your thoughts are not what I wanted to hear and what I needed to hear. Thank you. Your face and its smile also offer hope for my world torn by fear for those who don’t have what I have and frustration toward those using their power quite narrowly and without regard for the negative impact it’s has on people. But I will consider accepting my cross and being of good cheer while I strengthen my core to be of service.
I understand! Discouragement is part of the process, and you're certainly not alone in that. It feels like things have gotten so much worse even since I wrote this. But onward we go. I'm trying to live by this mantra: stay vigilant, stay tender, stay human.
Just found you today while reading the St. John’s daily word publication. Your reflection. And then I clicked through. And this resonates with me. Thank you. That was a bad day. And a month later this is a bad day too. But when I read reflections like this I feel I have a community and together we will figure this out. I thank you.
Btw I am a mom of four strong young adult women. And I will share this.
Thank you for this beautiful post. I don't know you but someone forwarded your post to me and it was truly inspiring as well as very much needed. Thanks again for the courage and hope you provided and good luck with your book. I'm close to finishing the first draft of my first solo book so I can relate! Peace and all good.
Thank you for being here! Goodness, it feels like things have gotten so much worse even since I wrote this post. Trying to live my this mantra: stay vigilant, stay tender, stay human.
I too avoided the news of yesterday. I finished my first substack since the election and posted it. It was titled “what’s love got to do with it”. I had 2 of my daughters and my grandkids over for dinner. I worked on repairing a knitting project I had screwed up. I had a good day.
Then I woke up this morning with “proud boys” on my mind. I woke to the realization that some frightening days are ahead. I turned to Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation and was reminded “Through accepting reality, we find a greater capacity to love what is.” Ok, I’ve endured hard times. I’ve gotten past fantasy ideas of love and know a little about the hard core truth—you have to start with loving yourself before you will ever be able to love another. So I will love as I know how, and hopefully learn how to go deeper. I will pour out the love I have on those around me.
Love has a way of accepting you as you are, but it doesn’t want you to stay there when you are down. Love offers a compassionate hand to help another up. Perhaps, in hard times it offers a root. When we are hunkered in the bunkers, I know roots can push through the concrete. Sprouts can break through, tender and green at first, but given nourishment, they can become mighty trees! Trees can speak prophesies!
Thank you for shoring me up! May we reach others with our roots and sprout, and perhaps spout the prophesy we are given so that others can hear and know.
Linda, thank you for this amazing comment! You are doing the work of love, and it's beautiful. I rely on Richard Rohr so much myself. I love the image of the root, and that's what I've been praying for--that they will crack the sidewalk! Committed to growing in love and action alongside you. Thank you for being here.
Your thoughts are not what I wanted to hear and what I needed to hear. Thank you. Your face and its smile also offer hope for my world torn by fear for those who don’t have what I have and frustration toward those using their power quite narrowly and without regard for the negative impact it’s has on people. But I will consider accepting my cross and being of good cheer while I strengthen my core to be of service.
I understand! Discouragement is part of the process, and you're certainly not alone in that. It feels like things have gotten so much worse even since I wrote this. But onward we go. I'm trying to live by this mantra: stay vigilant, stay tender, stay human.
We need the prophets now! All of us can use our prophetic gifts and messages!
Absolutely!
Just found you today while reading the St. John’s daily word publication. Your reflection. And then I clicked through. And this resonates with me. Thank you. That was a bad day. And a month later this is a bad day too. But when I read reflections like this I feel I have a community and together we will figure this out. I thank you.
Btw I am a mom of four strong young adult women. And I will share this.
Thank you for your encouragement! And for raising four strong women. We are not alone, and that's the consolation I need the most these days.
Life-giving! Love the definition of a prophet!
Thank you so much! Whew, don’t we need them!
So glad to find you here. Thanks for your presence and these good words.
So glad you’re here too!
Thank you ❤️
Thank you, friend! Big hugs from Seattle.
Thank you for this beautiful post. I don't know you but someone forwarded your post to me and it was truly inspiring as well as very much needed. Thanks again for the courage and hope you provided and good luck with your book. I'm close to finishing the first draft of my first solo book so I can relate! Peace and all good.
Hady, thank you so much for your kind encouragement! I'm so glad to meet you. Best of luck with your book too!
May St. Óscar Romero and Servant of God Dorothy Day pray for us and guide us to become radical prophets!
Amen and amen!
Excellent! Thank you! Needed truth, encouragement, and hope!
Thank you so much! Glad to know I'm not alone!
Thank you for this column and for your much-needed words of wisdom today.
Thank you for being here! Goodness, it feels like things have gotten so much worse even since I wrote this post. Trying to live my this mantra: stay vigilant, stay tender, stay human.