A fruitful rest? Somehow this tips on its head all our culture tries to tell us. That we earn fruitfulness, that it only comes through striving. And rest is a means to an end. But what if we’ve misunderstood the very nature of life? THE FECUND FALLOW And what if all this waiting;this trembling body … Read more
Breathing is an integral part of life, right? Yes. We couldn’t live without it. But what about the whole of our lives: do we build in time for deeper breathing? If we are always on the go, where is our reflection? How do we see where we’ve been, what brought us here and where we … Read more
I love the way e e cummings links the others’ believing in us with our taking the risk of delight. This insight is a massive relief for those of us who feel we must earn our rest and play. I wonder, what is your place of delight and what enables you to step inside? ~ … Read more
I’m not sure we can truly come to a place of rest if we don’t love ourselves. Yes, it’s a journey. And no, this isn’t about a propensity to make excuses. Loving ourselves isn’t about putting ourselves first, ranking our worthiness, or excusing our failures. Instead, it’s the place of honesty, reality and grace. Where … Read more
We’ve been taught to fear the unknown – that it’s a scary place. Yet, in reality, we live here daily while wearing lenses that give us a false sense of control. And because of these ways of seeing, we assume we can live in a world of relative order, or at least minimal surprises at … Read more
Place is more than geographical territory. It is within us too. If we are not at home in ourselves, then everywhere has a sense of alienation. So perhaps at this time, we need to rest awhile and come home. To be rooted in our inner being for the days ahead. This is John O’Donohue’s blessing … Read more
COME REST, FOR TOMORROW IS WAITING Come, rest.Let yourshoulders drop. Youdon’t haveto carryit all. Come, rest.Stand quietlyin the stream. Letit gently batheyour tiredheart. Come, rest.You arenot alone. Weare walkingby yourside. Come, rest.For tomorrowawaits you, andwords only you can speak.
Finding our place of rest is as much to do with our inner being as our outer circumstances. A quiet place helps, yet if we are constantly striving inside, no amount of green or deep blue will give us the peace we seek. Fundamentally, our rest is internal. Deep down, for many of us, it … Read more
Water at rest is not stagnant. It is beautiful and life-giving. So why would we think that rest for human beings is an optional extra? Your rest might not look like mine, yet we both need it to keep moving well. I wonder, where is your resting place?
I am moved by the opening of David Whyte’s reflection on solace: Solace is the art of asking the beautiful question, of ourselves, of our world, or of one another, in fiercely difficult and un-beautiful moments. David Whyte, Consolations What will we carry with us today?