Wow- I do remember writing both of those quotes, but had not thought of the differences between them. It feels like the "find something you love" one is directed at the active (dare I say, younger) seeker-in-me. Later I discovered it was as much or more about a willingness to "be found" as it was about trying to "find" love. And nothing makes us more vulnerable to the inevitable death and change of incarnational reality than love. Of course, there is a particular grief (tinged with anger) that accompanies loss that is chosen (like the changes some want to bring to your area). What can we do- but fight to save what is worth saving; love what is here, now; let the loss break our hearts open, feel the pain, the grief and the despair- and get up tomorrow and do it all again, fueled by the small joys and deep loves. Sending prayers that wisdom and love may triumph.
Love is really the biggest risk we can take, isn’t it? Whether of people or of place. It’s where we open ourselves to the most potential pain, of losing what we love, or being rejected. It’s always odd to me that so many people can live in awe of or push themselves to take big physical risks, when the greatest risk of all is one we carry inside ourselves.
I will hold your dear lake in my thoughts. Last night I had a dream that awakened my grief about man's destruction of species and planet. I cannot shake it and, as an environmental activist, I sometimes have to just not think about all I know. It's too heartbreaking.
It hurts my heart to think of those bulldozers. Hoping you and your neighbors can prevail! I appreciate how you talk of learning "to hold interpretation and messages a bit more lightly. To let them develop on their own." I find this is so key!—to being able to dance with the images, with the universe. Keeping the feet light, not latching onto "this means that" kind of thinking. Which, after all, is just the mind's way of staying in control, when what the heart really wants is dancing. Speaking of dancing, I wonder if the lake and the trees have any ideas for how to stop the landfill?
Wow… I hope and pray they do not put that landfill in😳🙄🤦♀️🤬🤬🤬. They would be complete idiots if they do…. Some politicians are so unscrupulous and money/power hungry. I love your 2 quotes from Ohriah👍❤️
You've given me the courage and inspiration to get my cards out again. Using them to reveal attitudes and situations rather than magically "predict," they have shown to be immensely informative.
This came at a perfect time for me, being four years into an infertility journey. Infertility is interesting and unique in how the pain deepens and retreats and resolves and comes crashing back, how there is no way out and the whole effort is driven by a most innate love. The Oriah House quote is perfect for this moment, in this context: "Let what you love find you. Be faithful to it. It will teach you how to live." Thank you!
This is beautiful and so wise, Karen. Have you read Francis Weller's "The Wild Edge of Sorrow?" It's some of the best grief writing on nature I've ever encountered.
I love these quotes, thank you Karen. I will also pray for your community and that your voices will be heard to protect the land and all who live there. It's just heartbreaking.
Karen, your post both broke my heart and soothed it. That's life in a nutshell, isn't it? Although it does seem that we live in an age where we have to deal more constantly with grief and with nostalgia for deep connections. Thank you, as usual, for heartfelt and beautiful words.
Wow- I do remember writing both of those quotes, but had not thought of the differences between them. It feels like the "find something you love" one is directed at the active (dare I say, younger) seeker-in-me. Later I discovered it was as much or more about a willingness to "be found" as it was about trying to "find" love. And nothing makes us more vulnerable to the inevitable death and change of incarnational reality than love. Of course, there is a particular grief (tinged with anger) that accompanies loss that is chosen (like the changes some want to bring to your area). What can we do- but fight to save what is worth saving; love what is here, now; let the loss break our hearts open, feel the pain, the grief and the despair- and get up tomorrow and do it all again, fueled by the small joys and deep loves. Sending prayers that wisdom and love may triumph.
Beautiful as always, Karen. Keeping you, and the wilderness that surrounds you, in my heart. 💖
Love is really the biggest risk we can take, isn’t it? Whether of people or of place. It’s where we open ourselves to the most potential pain, of losing what we love, or being rejected. It’s always odd to me that so many people can live in awe of or push themselves to take big physical risks, when the greatest risk of all is one we carry inside ourselves.
I will hold your dear lake in my thoughts. Last night I had a dream that awakened my grief about man's destruction of species and planet. I cannot shake it and, as an environmental activist, I sometimes have to just not think about all I know. It's too heartbreaking.
It hurts my heart to think of those bulldozers. Hoping you and your neighbors can prevail! I appreciate how you talk of learning "to hold interpretation and messages a bit more lightly. To let them develop on their own." I find this is so key!—to being able to dance with the images, with the universe. Keeping the feet light, not latching onto "this means that" kind of thinking. Which, after all, is just the mind's way of staying in control, when what the heart really wants is dancing. Speaking of dancing, I wonder if the lake and the trees have any ideas for how to stop the landfill?
Wow… I hope and pray they do not put that landfill in😳🙄🤦♀️🤬🤬🤬. They would be complete idiots if they do…. Some politicians are so unscrupulous and money/power hungry. I love your 2 quotes from Ohriah👍❤️
Beautiful, Karen! 💗
You've given me the courage and inspiration to get my cards out again. Using them to reveal attitudes and situations rather than magically "predict," they have shown to be immensely informative.
This came at a perfect time for me, being four years into an infertility journey. Infertility is interesting and unique in how the pain deepens and retreats and resolves and comes crashing back, how there is no way out and the whole effort is driven by a most innate love. The Oriah House quote is perfect for this moment, in this context: "Let what you love find you. Be faithful to it. It will teach you how to live." Thank you!
This is beautiful and so wise, Karen. Have you read Francis Weller's "The Wild Edge of Sorrow?" It's some of the best grief writing on nature I've ever encountered.
I love these quotes, thank you Karen. I will also pray for your community and that your voices will be heard to protect the land and all who live there. It's just heartbreaking.
Beautiful post. I will be praying and lighting my candles for your beautiful sanctuary to remain intact!!! 💜
Karen, your post both broke my heart and soothed it. That's life in a nutshell, isn't it? Although it does seem that we live in an age where we have to deal more constantly with grief and with nostalgia for deep connections. Thank you, as usual, for heartfelt and beautiful words.
Thank you.
I love your writing; I’m glad it found me!
Peace and Love KD,
DK (lol)
I love vulnerability in this post