Tag: Inspiration
This One Life
You see, to live
one must do these things:
like a bird about to take flight,
one must believe it is possible –
that our wings can be trusted.
When happy, allow it to be!
Share your happy face and glow
as created to do so.
When sad, embrace being seen as sad –
and surrender to the hug of compassion
packaged in sweet understanding and growth.
The struggles will come and go.
The secret is to surf the highs and lows
and learn to fall gracefully
and repeatedly.
There will always follow
chances to rise up again courageously.
We are here to love.
It is that simple –
and, also that complicated.
For most of us have learned
to turn away from the divine imprint
which shows us how to love
and accept our differences.
Remember that the journey of grace
is more inward
than outward.
We lose our layers of skin
and find peace in the presence
of this one moment.
We discover a deeper belonging.
We understand that we already have it all.
This is the amazing glimpse that,
when captured,
enables us to be the beautiful souls we are.
We can let go.
We can be free.
We can choose joy.
Copyright©Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
“Strange as it may seem today to say, the aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.” – Henry Miller
Let it Unfold
Our Larger Belonging
I
What the Trees Know
Sometimes it is important to sit under a tree.
You can rest from
all the glare and heat.
God did not intend for us an endless panting –
nor a sweat which drains.
So drink in the breezes.
Stop yourself and rest.
Be.
For this is what the trees know…
they understand from their deepest root
that their shade is their best work –
and they are happy to share it.
Trees know what it feels like
to live as created to be.
There is no better peace
or joy.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
Artwork by Martha Harris. To see more of her work, go to artisticflarings.blog.
Your Embrace
No amount of coffee
can awaken this soul
to quicken its attention.
I am looking for you again, my God.
The mysteries of my path,
unfolding in excruciating ease.
I long for answers.
It helps when I remember
the times I have visited this landscape before.
You have always been next to me –
your hand in mine,
gently leading.
In rare glimpses you point the way –
but your respect for me usually
allows my own stumble forward.
Mostly, it helps to be held.
To embrace the mysteries
in the comfort of your arms
feels like the home
you made for me.
I am a baby looking for your eyes
as you love me.
Copyright@Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
Look within in kindness.
Morning Prayer II
Loving Presence of the Holy One, my one and only God, I rest in the newness of this day. The birds call and invite me to sing a song to you. I lift my voice and speak your name out loud, offering myself as a vehicle of your love and grace this day and every day. I know profoundly and more and more clearly that when I enter a day with this intention, that I begin in freedom. For when I am aligned with your being, I am being authentically me. Challenges may come today. My prayer is that whatever they may be, that they may serve my awakening. Therefore, blessed be this day! For my heart is full of gratitude for this beautiful life and I intend to live it with joy and extend myself in love to those who cross my path. I am awake. As I sing my song, know that I am here for you, my God. With my whole being, body and soul, I sing your praises. Thank you for this day.
Amen and amen.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
Catching Myself
There you are.
I see you now in the burst of the flower,
the color yellow blessing my eyes
with new and fresh joy.
Instantly, the lift is back
and I rest in the wonder of Presence.
My heart quickens with the reminder that
you are everywhere…
ready to be seen with
a never-ending invitation to
wakefulness.
I am finally learning how
the one who leaves
is never you.
You are as close as my in breath –
that breath that gets neglected
in the constant pant
of unnecessary busyness.
When I catch my breath,
I catch you.
Life is always instructing me.
Just yesterday, I read these words:
Worry is a misuse of imagination.
It was just the right message at
just the right time.
I am glad I noticed it.
It could have just slipped past me…
and it made me question
what else I might have missed
along the way…
I thank you for these reminders.
So simple they are
once grasped.
I realize once again,
and repeatedly,
that you are never far away
and that the barriers
to my learning and freedom
are of my own creation.
There is no blame for this –
I do understand.
As blame is just another unhelpful distraction –
another layer blocking me from you.
To live this precious life,
I must stop piling on the layers
so I can unfold into the naked beauty
of a fully bloomed flower
basking in the glow of the sun.
And where you are,
so will I be.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
Divine Utterances
It amazes me sometimes
how close You are.
All that is needed is
a moment
to leap out of myself
and into your breath.
I breathe in
and there You are –
and I am suddenly larger…
kinder –
to self
and beyond self.
You whisper… “See?”
And then, “Settle yourself.”
And then, “No worries.”
Finally, “Be the Love you are.”
Oh, for the presence of mind and heart
to remember this!
You are never far away
and I belong to You –
like a bird belongs to its song,
and the moon belongs
to the sky.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2019
Becoming and Beholding 