In March we are invited to Pay Attention. And yes, that means even to the hard stuff. March’s Soul Matters theme overlaps with the religious seasons of Lent and Ramadan and the coming of Spring- seasons that also invite us to pay attention through spiritual practice and to notice what is arising within and around us. Spiritual practices can include prayer and meditation, as well as embodied practices such as yoga and tai chi, singing and music making, creative writing and art, deep listening to a family member or friend, and so much more.

For the past three years I have joined a group of ministers in the spiritual practice of writing and sharing poetry every day. (Or at least coming together with that intention: we have all skipped more than a few days!) This daily intention invites me to pay attention to places throughout the day where “poetic moments” might appear, moments which I might also name as grace. I keep my eye out on my daily walks, in particular. This past week I penned these words after a daily walk:

Formation
Healing in February
is slow. And what we thought
was a harbinger of spring
was simply a moment of reprieve.

Today the poet dismays
as the foolish geese
so eager to return
fly into another blizzard.

Or perhaps they know
more certainly than we
carrying as they do
the wind in their wings

like the neighbor’s tattered flag
faded stars
shredded stripes

the wearing thin and the waving

And I wonder if there is any other way
to fly but through the storm, together,
broken and brave and free?

Paying attention I received this message: we are in this storm together. And though we might feel beaten at times, we continue on and are strengthened by one another.

May we find in noticing, invitations to fly- into the world together, with all our worn places, and the wind in our wings.

In peace,
Rev. Terri

Please Note: I will be on site on Saturday, February 28th, Sunday, March 1st, and Monday, March 2nd this week. Pastoral care, counseling, and other appointments in February can be made via my calendly.