This post showed up in my memories today.
It is from two years ago.
My spiritual director asked me a question: "what is needed for you to have hope?" I took that question and edited it to "What will it take to bring hope?" That question stuck with me, as good questions do.
I saw some yellow flowers growing in the asphalt and that inspired me to write a haiku. They showed me hope.
Haiku:
Two years have gone by. The question still resonates. What WILL it take to bring hope?
Yet, there is so much more hope these days. And, oh, so much more healing. Hope and healing go hand in hand. At least they do in my life and experience.
Hope has come in the form of sunrises and sunsets, time apart, silence and solitude, time in the woods, time on the bike, time in conversations, time observing art, time in hammocks, and so much more.
Hope has come by walking with others, by listening, by sharing, by being the me I was created to be.
The answer continues to come.... hope is not done. Hope comes in many forms and continues to make its way into my life, offering healing and wholeness.
My spiritual director was asking me two years ago what it would take to bring hope back into my life again.
Two years ago, in a post about Haikus, I wrote this about the question:
"What I DO know is that writing Haikus brings me joy, healing, and hope. And I guess that answers the question my spiritual director asked my yesterday, at least in part. She asked 'what is needed for me to have hope?' I wrote a Haiku based on that and changed the wording a bit after seeing bright yellow flowers growing in asphalt. Ultimately what is needed for me to have hope is for me to continue the spiritual practices that draw me into relationship with the One who created me, the One who loves me, and the One who knows me best. Then I can live out my calling to live, love, and lead like Jesus."
I still write Haikus, but not as frequently as I was. It's not a primary spiritual practice in the moment. I did, however, write one last week at the retreat I attended. As I was sitting there under the tree canopy during the reflection time, a Haiku came to me.
What I wrote that morning about writing the Haiku: "It has been a while since a Haiku has come from me. In the quiet reflection time now, these words vacate as I reflect on the morning session."
Haiku:
Old growth tree forest
Your canopy reaches high
Beckoning me nigh
DD, 7/18/23
Ignatius House
As I have refilled with hope, it is my desire that I bring hope to others. And I think I am doing that. By walking life with others, by sharing, by listening, by being the me I was created to be.
Hope and healing go hand in hand.
It was a good reminder today for me to see this haiku and question from my spiritual director from two years ago.
Continuing the adventurous journey of life,
Deb
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