Be Still And Know

June 22, 2018June 22, 2018 becomingandbeholdingLeave a comment

Everyone has their special brand

of distraction and

dis-ease – that state of mind

that disguises and deters from

all the goodness

right in front of us.

Sometimes,

just stop yourself.

Tell that wrangling mind

“Enough already!”

And then,

do the shift.

Laugh a little, and

forgive yourself for being

quite human.

And then trust that

you can heal yourself

with right thinking…

for your suffering –

no matter what it is,

comes from all the stories

you have made up

in your mind.

That stuff is not real –

but the pain that comes,

is.

Focus, instead,

on what is true.

Your job is to open yourself to

the things that last –

and to hold onto

those principles

with your whole being.

When you learn this,

the problems disappear

and you are

whole again.

Stop living the fiction

and arise to become

who you really are.

This is where your freedom is.

Be well –

with all your heart,

and your mind, too.

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Floating Through

June 20, 2018 becomingandbeholdingLeave a comment

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The Layers

June 12, 2018June 30, 2018 becomingandbeholdingLeave a comment

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Be spiritual.

May 30, 2018June 3, 2019 becomingandbeholdingLeave a comment

Poem · Poetry

The Gift of Understanding

May 27, 2018June 9, 2018 becomingandbeholding2 Comments

I had a desire,

a prayer, really –

of how it should go.

My doubting heart considered it wishful thinking.

But the courage within won

and I expressed it, anyway –

not caring if I looked,

or sounded, foolish.

And then,

when the moment arrived,

my prayer was answered,

just like that,

exactly as imagined.

It seemed an effortless occurrence

and had the quality of

of course this is how it should go…

I was blown away, warmed up, lit up, and loved –

completely – and all at once

in that moment.

This is what a sudden dawning feels like.

I wondered at how

it wasn’t even a formal prayer –

with head bowed low,

spoken in desperation or

pious humility.

But I did speak it from my heart

and out loud

to You –

and I shared it with others.

It must have counted…

because it was realized.

I know now,

ever more deeply, that

You are here,

with me,

and in this life of mine.

And when I look back,

I see your traces –

your hand,

your heart,

molding, leading, comforting,

ever more clearly.

I am like a baby playing peek-a-boo…

the joy of discovery

brings me intense happiness.

You are here.

I can see you!

Poem · Poetry

This is It

May 22, 2018May 22, 2018 becomingandbeholdingLeave a comment

The cat purring in my lap

while the birds sing their morning song…

My heartbeat,

strong and regular,

sending the vibration of vitality everywhere –

to my very fingertips and toes,

opening my eyes,

and lighting up my taste buds.

It travels past

all the aches and pains,

those spots that distract and annoy.

The pain cannot stop its movement,

but is touched by its energy –

kissed by the whispers of hope.

One day you won’t need this pain…

The promise of a new day

is the reliable reboot given every morning.

Perhaps this is the day

I will finally see,

not only with my eyes,

but with my whole being,

that

this is it.

No more will I wait

for my turn,

holding back and waiting

for that perfect moment

that never comes.

Life is here now,

and ever so fleeting.

It passes before me,

it beats within me,

it connects me

to all that matters.

Life lives on through me

even when I am pressing the brakes.

It moves forward,

with or without me.

This is it –

the blessings are here.

Poem · Poetry

Then Sings My Soul

May 4, 2018June 1, 2018 becomingandbeholding1 Comment

When wanting meets realization

and dis-ease catches a glimpse

of healing,

my eyes spring open –

and I can see, once again,

how You are right here,

right here.

Life is a beautiful dance.

The music always plays,

with You leading my steps,

and I, in faith, following,

sometimes tripping along-

crying or laughing my way forward –

humbled by my missteps,

and blessed when I move

with grace.

Nevertheless,

and more and more,

I realize,

when I look up

from my preoccupation with

my own feet,

You are here,

You are here.

The dance we share

is as reliable as Life itself.

and its music

floats my heart skyward

as my soul

breaks into song.

Poem · Poetry

I Will Be Your Anchor

April 25, 2018April 25, 2018 becomingandbeholdingLeave a comment

When you feel overwhelmed by

the rush of cold water around you,

I will be your anchor.

When the darkness below tries

to pull you under,

I will be your anchor.

When the winds catch your sail,

and threaten to toss you

to a scary destination,

I will be your anchor,

keeping you attached –

tethered to the strength

I have given you.

Life will push you about,

bring changes and dangers.

No one can avoid this,

for each of us has our own

path of peril

through which to pass

and learn from the passing.

None of this is to be taken personally – except

God’s promises to be in the muck with us.

We are like trees with roots that run deep,

roots that hold us up in the storms.

We fall over when the roots

are allowed to decay.

God says, Stay tethered to me.

I will be your anchor, your root.

Hang on to me –

and never let go.

Poem · Poetry

A Humble Confession

April 22, 2018April 26, 2018 becomingandbeholding1 Comment

I am learning that

the work of being grounded

is an ever-present process –

and I am not so good at it.

It is more than simply getting up

and making time for prayer and meditation –

though that is a good start.

To be grounded,

requires moment by moment attention

to what is placed before me –

and then discerning,

with God’s assistance,

which direction to take

in moving forward.

It is constant communion

with divine intelligence and love –

and I admit,

it is not easy for me to remember this.

Oh, I start off well –

I am a great meditator over my morning coffee.

I am dedicated to starting well.

But as the day gets going,

I forget to bring God into it with me –

I get caught up in my own agenda and

the pattern of routine.

I forget I am here for God,

and the usual happens –

the miserable discontent sneaks back in

and my focus ends up being

all about me –

what I can control

and what I cannot.

It is frustratingly stupid and human of me.

For, my soul knows better.

I know that all I need do is

let go and let God.

The more I get out of my own way,

the more peace and freedom

I will have.

We all make it so hard

when it is actually so simple:

learn to listen to the insights

that come your way –

like this one –

and in listening,

open your heart to actually

putting your insights to work in

your day to day life.

It means pausing often and

paying attention – which,

is the hard part for all of us in

our agenda-driven, pre-occupied and busy lifestyle.

But I am not giving up, for

the cost is too high.

I am open to learning more deeply

what unceasing prayer and communion

with God is really like.

My hand and my heart are

open to receive…

So, my current insight?

Get over yourself and

Let God into your whole day,

not just your morning.

Trust that you are not alone

and there is nothing that needs to be

figured out on your own.

Everything everywhere

is already all right.

Relax more and enjoy!

Pause to remember –

and do that often!

Let the truth of God’s assurance and presence

shine through your whole day.

God, indeed, has my back

and freedom and joy are within reach

as constant companions.

That is my current work –

to listen and believe.

Sound familiar?

Poem · Poetry

When I Am Not Writing

April 16, 2018 becomingandbeholding1 Comment

The babbling brook that

is the stream of life, passes

before me,

its eternal and purposeful movement,

effortlessly dancing –

its whispers inviting me

into the water.

I sit on the shore,

afraid to get wet –

mistaken by the idea

that in staying dry,

I can somehow

avoid the discomfort and uncertainty

of change –

when in actuality,

I am delaying my

ongoing baptism into Life.

In this moment,

I dip my toe back in.