Awaken My Heart

O, You who are ever

giving life to all life,

moving all creatures,

root of all things,

washing them clean,

wiping out their mistakes,

healing their wounds,

You are our true life -

luminous, wonderful,

awakening the heart

from its ancient sleep.

-Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

a fish cannot drown in water

Healing Mandorla (Stacy Wills, 2012)

a fish cannot drown in water,

a bird does not fall in air.

in the fire of creation,

god doesn't vanish:

the fire brightens.

each creature god made

must live in its own true nature;

how could i resist my nature,

that lives for oneness with god?

-mechthild of magdeburg (1207 - 1282)

connection

places to pray in

everybody needs beauty as well as bread;

places to play in and pray in,

where nature may heal and cheer and

give strength to the body and soul.

-john muir (1838-1914)

source image: cypress swamp along the natchez trace

the light of your soul

may the light of your soul guide you.

may the light of your soul bless the work you do

with the secret love and warmth of your heart.

may you see in what you do

the beauty of your own soul.

may the sacredness of your work

bring healing, light and renewal...

-john o'donohue (1956-2008)

rent

for love of you

my heart is a rent veil

may it never mend

-stacy wills (9/14/2011)

plan b

i am fresh from what affectionately became known as the "plan b" retreat. it was christened thus when the original guest speaker was not able to attend. instead of cancelling the retreat altogether, the host leaders and some of the retreatants stepped up to the plate to pinch-hit, offering what they could. fourteen of us gathered at a beautiful setting in the heart of louisiana and entered into a time of exploring the intersection of spirituality and creativity. for me personally, it was a time of deep healing and renewed hope...a "plan (meant to) be."

broken mandala (clean slate)

open a vein

be bled

of your color

be done

with the pain

oh, that it were

so simple a thing

as wiping

a slate clean

held

held...

in the

healing

light

and love

of god