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One of my favourite contemporary poets died this month. This poem is inspired by Andrea Gibson's love of life. They wrote this post in March: A List of Things I Love. They also said, "In the end, I want my heart to be covered in stretch marks." After reading that post, I was compelled to consider the ordinary things that I love, and to remember to let what I love make me who I am (not what I don't love, or what doesn't love me).
My (short) list of things I love: I love mornings, sunny and fresh and full of possibility. I love laying in bed, hearing Chip downstairs. I love vacations with friends, sitting around on the dock for long hours with nothing more to do than talk and swim. I love being held by water, floating on its swells and gazing at the sky. I love family reunions, remembering who I belong to and where I came from. I love listening to birds and pulling out my Merlin app to figure out who is filling the sky with song. I love walking through the shaded forest and seeing the sunlight open up over Laurel Creek. I love a cup of strong coffee on the back deck. I love picking up our CSA veggies and knowing they are lovingly grown by a friend. I love finding fireflies in our backyard. I love foraging for berries in our neighbourhood. I love wild flowers at the side of the road. I love smiles from strangers. I love old friends and shared memories. I love slowing down to make things with my hands. I love learning to laugh at myself.
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Our July worship gathering focused on the theme of resilience. Before worship, we met for a picnic and an opportunity to create and write postcards to send to our Premier asking the provincial government to repeal Bill 5. Both the meal, and the opportunity for action were ways I think we are building resilience as we strengthen our sense of community and take positive action together against government legislation that will harm natural habitats, endangered species, and Indigenous rights.
Resiliency has to do with how we respond to and recover from trauma or adversity in life. The earth itself is facing much adversity and trauma. In 2024, the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Daily Meditation theme for the year was Radical Resilience. In the intro to the series, they wrote, “Radical Resilience is the ability to face hardship with greater love and deeper awareness. We believe that contemplation, the practice of being fully present, is one way to grow more resilient — teaching us how to sustain inner strength, purpose, and connectedness.” In a post from last June, author Cole Arthur Riley wrote, “Resilience isn’t really about returning back to the way you were before, but is much more about reclaiming whatever new shape your [life] has taken. Resilience … doesn’t really ask us to forget, but carries the memory of whatever harm or whatever fire we’ve been through.” (CAC Daily Meditation June 18, 2024) We can see trees here that have been wounded and have a new shape. They carry that memory, and they are living on (or in death are contributing to the living on of the forest community). Where do you see signs of resilience around you? What does the Earth want to teach you about resilience? |
AuthorReflections, poetry, prayers, photos, and resources written by Wendy Janzen unless otherwise noted. Archives
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