Putting Words Around the Unfolding
Whether the writer or the reader,
the words given
are light for the road.
They spring from that fountain
that intends to nourish and cleanse.
The soul speaks,
the heart listens,
and the self awakens –
as it surprisingly
lets go of itself.
And that which seemed only for the few
is found.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
Transitions increase a felt wistfulness.
We look back
and long for
what worked before.
Those pieces of us that
like routine and
the comfort of the predictable –
well, those parts feel sharp
in such seasons –
the edges hurt.
And yet, there is the buzz –
the bubbling energy of the new,
of possibility.
There are new faces to greet,
new tasks to learn and
fresh ways to open the heart
and to be.
Life is
as life does-
and its mysteries inspire and instruct.
Its best when
there is a mix of things
for the creative touch of God is genius
and multi-dimensional.
So, even when loss
is the larger piece at the time,
there will always be the sparkle
and felt presence
of grace, of love … even joy.
When awake,
we can wonder at and
give thanks for
the whole design of it all.
We see our piece in the creation.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
Gratitude for Anne Lamott and her coining of the term, “mosaic moments” in her recent book, Almost Everything.
When walking next to the shore,
take in the salted air.
It tastes like your tears.
When walking next to the shore,
listen to the music of the surf.
It is the soundtrack of the movement in your heart.
When walking next to the shore,
watch the swoop and dance of the Plover birds.
They effortlessly play in the waves,
undaunted by the constant changes beneath their tiny feet.
Witness the lesson.
A walk by the ocean
is always a homecoming.
The whispers heard soothe the soul.
The sprays felt baptize us anew.
We are reminded that
sometimes we need to get wet
to begin again.
So take a walk on the beach.
Hear the invitation of its dynamic landscape:
Let’s be the ocean together.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop. – Rumi
A chorus has erupted
and it filters through the open window.
A haunting call began it all.
Is it a cry? An alarm?
Is this creature hungry?
The cry repeats in
a rhythm of hurt.
As I attend to its voice,
I begin to hear others return the call.
Their message seems to say:
All is well.
We are here!
Join us- for you belong in the world.
We care about you.
After some time, and continued voicing,
the cry of the suffering bird eases.
Attending to this natural befriending
soothes my soul.
I begin this day
with the reminder that
we are one –
and attending to our sacred cries
is as natural and reliable as
the rising of the morning sun.
Our presence with one another
has the reassuring power
of gifting hope
and returning us to stillness.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
Be watchful in the weather
of life,
for as your experiences show up,
their effect can either dampen and chill you,
or bless you with warm peace.
So much depends
on where you stand at the time
and if you are awake
or not.
Your life can be a challenge –
that is true.
And also the point.
For the challenges teach
and also preach
if we are present in the pew
and looking upward and inward
for understanding.
Be watchful for the weather of truth
which will come and go
like the wind which
gives us waves to ride
until we learn
how to balance on them.
And when we are ready to ride,
having built up our core,
the rain of grace
will shower down upon us,
gently cleansing us
with new realizations
of what is true.
And in this baptism of insight,
we are made new again
by the healing that
has finally arrived.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
There is an urgency within
which pulls at my skin,
leading me forth
into the mysterious newness ahead.
I’ve been germinating.
The rest allowed has given
the necessary space and freedom
to review the landscapes –
and offer each
to be placed into the heart of God.
Sure, there are mixed feelings attached.
But each place travelled
has provided the necessary nutrition
for the current unfolding.
I have found that
the more I let go and allow for
a larger view of things,
the more freedom there is
for my unique soul
to be connected to
God and my true belonging.
This lightens –
and allows for the reach up and out.
There really are no problems!
It is counter-intuitive, in a way –
but the more I let go,
the more I can be present for others
and actually be helpful –
be present.
So, I choose to be here –
as rocky as the ground can be…
I choose joy.
I choose love.
I live gratefully.
And when the memory of this lapses,
I forgive the pull of distraction,
and begin again.
We can always start over.
This is the beauty of
learning self-transformation.
God is the focus.
Not me.
There is always hope
and healing is here.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
The presence of God needs to fill the space where you seem to be for healing to happen.
–Dr. Thomas Hora
Ask yourself, who would I be if there were no problem?
-Tara Brach
Sometimes I feel as if
I am in a favorite pocket of yours.
Once and a while,
you reach in and touch me –
and I am remembered again.
You may adjust me a bit,
smoothing my edges and
moving me about inside the pocket,
your touch comforting
as you bring me to new places
for my learning.
When the moment is right,
you lift me up and out
and I feel the rush of freedom knitted with
the warmth of grace
as you hold me in your hand.
You look at me,
and I look at you.
And I remember again
what home feels like.
Then you place me back
into your pocket
for easy reaching later.
I am your treasure
and in your keeping –
you keep me safe from harm.
One day, I know
your lift up
and into the light
will mean I get to stay.
My vision will be clear then
and so will my reflection
of you.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
