Here & Now

The hardened rock bears

XXthe beating rain and sleet

XXXXthe deep, frozen snow

XXXXXthe harsh heat of sun and fire

XXXXthe trampling of feet walking carelessly upon it.

It appears barely changed, unyielding and enduring.

Like the rugged rock, my body and soul bear places that have

XXbeen hardened and shaped

XXXXby trauma, by rejection, by isolation

XXby an inner voice that always corrects with judgement and self-criticism

XXXXthat reminds me I can do better.

XXXXXXXXJust try harder.

All appears calm, always standing, enduring, living life.

XXAnd yet, deep within, lives an anxious alertness

XXXXA continuous scanning and wondering:

XXXXXXAm I truly safe?

XXXXXXXXDo I truly belong?

XXXXWhom can I trust?

The hardness grows with each effort to rise above, to overcome,

XXto push through, to ignore, to numb, to just give up and accept failure.

And yet, the Creator calls out offering a sacred invitation to honor the pain,

XXTo offer compassionate attention to what is within.

XXXXTo try softer

Living Water gently flows continuously, trickling over the surface.

XXSlowly, wearing away the hardness.

XXXXThere is a gentle reshaping, repairing, restoring.

XXXXXXHumility replaces judgment.  Awareness replaces numbing.

XXXXCompassion replaces criticism.  Resilience replaces hardness.

The heart comes alive to receive and hold the gift of Living Water;

Flowing through the whole body, soul and mind.

All is held tenderly, lovingly, transformed, yielded

living into the full experience of being human.

Light shimmers, reflections reveal

A life dancing with deeper joy and freedom.