Tag: Understanding
The Gift of Understanding
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!
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
This is It
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.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
Beyond the Surface of Things
I see your smile,
how nicely you are put together –
the thought placed in what you present
to the world,
to me.
Underneath it all,
is the secret you keep to yourself.
You could be as finely tuned inside
as you are on the outside,
with a heart wide open –
smoothly pumping,
ready for Life to be born before you,
eager for use and expression.
Or, you could be
broken and faltering,
tired and lumbering along,
with all your systems, heart included,
weakened by the work of Life,
ready to rest,
alone in all your suffering –
even though none of this is revealed
on your surface.
We can bloom and grow in life
or crumble in the living of it.
One wonders at the choices along the way
that shape each path.
It seems to me,
we are like plants deprived of sun and water,
and wither because of it,
the more we live as if
we have no need of God.
I see it at the end –
the weathering or
the glowing
when final breaths are taken –
and I know which path
I choose to take.
Abide with me, precious God,
and continue to show me the way
to live beyond the surface of things.
Radiate through me
from that deep place
that connects me to all there is,
now and forever.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
A Humble Confession
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?
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
When I Am Not Writing
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.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
Why I love the Morning
I rise early
in the dark and quiet
on purpose.
Just like the blank page calls to me,
so does the new day.
I create an intentional pause
to reflect upon and bow to
the morning I have been given.
You see, for me
Easter happens every morning –
a chance to begin again,
to allow God to be seen
by transforming me.
The stone is always ready
to be rolled away
and a new way of being
is possible.
As the sun rises,
I reflect on whether this day
is finally The Day
I trust this truth completely –
the whispers of hallelujah gently call
so Easter can be born
in me
again.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
Go With the Flow
The sun rises without you –
birds sing their morning songs, and
the cat plops in your lap whether
invited or not.
Coffee brews effortlessly, once started
and the aroma blesses you
with that warm feeling of being cared for.
Hunger waits until the body is ready
to receive.
Why think of food yet?
The day starts,
whether you do or not.
You do not have to figure it out
to make it happen.
Learn to receive, little one.
Respond when invited, but
do not move too quickly to action.
The sunrise is a beautiful blessing
which points the way
to true freedom.
It simply unfolds.
Do you see it?
It is right before you.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
Before Going In
You are not on stage
so there is no need to
put on a face –
to pretend, fluff
or get nervous.
You are not seeking applause.
Rather than putting anything on
or assuming a role,
you do the opposite.
Before going in,
you execute a
disappearing act.
None of this is about you.
This is your job:
be a light
be a vessel
be a mirror that
reflects Love.
Healing and presence
will show up
if you can get out of the way.
Step aside.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
All Is Well
How I wonder at
the many ways of getting it wrong –
the things that pull us away,
derail and distract us from
the truth of who we are
and how we were made
from the beginning.
Life continues to instruct –
through discomfort and pain.
It seems the most effective tool
to bring us to the necessary surrender.
I am not a fan of the process –
the reshaping and chiseling away…
but the revelations that come
reassure in ways
unmeasurable.
I yield to the master craftsman,
offering myself up for true fashioning,
despite the necessary struggles,
that the me that has always been
can be seen –
and true freedom,
finally mine.
Copyright© Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
Becoming and Beholding 