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Encouragement

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One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own. There are times of great uncertainty in every life. Left alone at such a time, you feel dishevelment and confusion like gravity. When a friend comes with words of encouragement, a light and lightness visit you and you begin to find the stairs and the door out of the dark. The sense of encouragement you feel from the friend is not simply her words or gestures; it is rather her whole presence enfolding you and helping you find the concealed door. The encouraging presence manages to understand you and put herself in your shoes. There is no judgment but words of relief and release.

Quote: John O’Donohue
Excerpt from the book, “ETERNAL ECHOES”

Photo: © Ann Cahill
Co. Galway, Ireland

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In awe of all that surrounds us…

Mysteries, Yes

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
“Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.

It is easy to be distracted – by life and all of its busy ways. Capturing moments of awe and wonder can be difficult, as we so often hear words discouraging the need for such time. Words that insist we only look in the directions guided by others.

These demands leave a restless and hungry spirit. A spirit longing to explore without direction. Wander into places where there is no need for answers. Wander long enough to appreciate the miracle of creation in detail.

Like prayer, these moments away from the directed path of life are found with intention. It is not the amount of time given, five minutes is as good as one hour. This time is calm for the soul —

— calm much needed for balance in this world which spins faster each day.

Quote: Mary Oliver

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Active Hope

Active Hope is waking up to the beauty of life on whose behalf we can act.
We belong to this world.

 

Quote: Joanna Macy
Photo: Jaesung An

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Life – nothing small about it

Live life when you have it.
Life is a splendid gift–there is nothing small about it.

 

Quote: Florence Nightingale
Image: Ilona