Creating Space For Wholeness
13 Sessions To Reflect On The Journey Home To Who We Are Meant To Be
Facilitated By Karen Hilfman Author of The Mended Mirror
Session #3 of 13
A Time Of Reflection
- As you read the quote and story below and consider a step in The Connection Strategy, notice what you notice as you read. Does a word, phrase or concept tug at your attention?
- Does a quote or insight emerge for you in this time of reflecting as together we listen for and commit to choosing pathways that lead to life and love and light rather than death and hatred, that lead us home to who we are meant to be?
- What insights rise up from your experience as we hold space to focus on and empower a vision of wholeness and well-being? What are the lessons we need to be learning? What are the shifts we are embracing or need to embrace?
- What wisdom and creativity is emerging for you? What stories and situations fill you with hope? Are there quotes or stories or experiences that you would add to deepen these reflections?
Connection Strategy For Self And Community: From Disconnected To Connected
13 Steps to Connect to the Power of Transformation, Meaning, Purpose and the Authenticity Within Each of Us to Enhance Our Life Together in Community
Step #3 Release, lament and claim the insights. Disconnect from being a victim to old wounds.
Quote
One of my hopes for our world is that we awaken more fully to the transformational power of love, a power that longs to engage our passions, teaches us to celebrate diversity, and compels us to risk imagining a way of being together that leads to wholeness. Awakening to this power within equips us to co-create a world committed to the well-being of all. For me this story of connecting to wholeness even in the midst of brokenness, of experiencing resilience even when life shows up with difficulties, deepens our hope as we work together to mend the world.
Page 16 The Mended Mirror by Karen Hilfman Millson
Story
As I prepare to go to be with Mom, my friend, who is also the church administrator, asks me if I will take this time to write my book.
I am surprised. “My book? I didn’t know I have a book to write.”
Three others hear the suggestion and agree it is time.
When I arrive in Florida Janis drives me the three hours from the airport to where Mom is staying. On the way I tell her about this encouragement to write my book. She agrees.
I’m puzzled about the focus of this book which people are clear I am to write. Janis encourages me to write about what I have learned through my life and my work that holds the potential of being of interest to other ministers. I decide I will buy a notebook, put pen to paper and see what emerges….
Each day I go and sit by the ocean. I have two chairs, one to sit on and one for my feet, plus an umbrella, a small cooler that acts as a table, a large selection of food and two empty notebooks with pens.
The first story I write is about the experience in the meadow when I am three years old when I see light coming from within everything and everyone.
The stories and poetry I write on the beach and for months after, reflect a peak time when my insights about creating healthy community, encouraging people’s gifts, and guiding people to see the seeds of wisdom they carry within them, burst open like blossoms, filling the garden of my life with beauty, colour and diversity.
I realize that what I am writing is a handbook of stories and poetry that provides practical insights, attitudes and approaches to creating life-giving community and how to be open to the transformative energies that are so desperately needed in our world. This is my favourite poem:
The Poetry of the Cosmos
sings deep in our soul
listen … listen …
it is waiting to be heard …
awakened in stillness
carried on the breeze in the trees
heard in the songs of the birds
and in the sound of laughter shared
The Poetry of the Cosmos
twirls in our midst
calling us to life and laughter and play
inviting us into a dance of joy
beyond the ego borders
that limit and sever connection
by the power of fear
The Poetry of the Cosmos
beckons us to trust and delight
in this world of awe-filling experiences
that continuously present themselves
if we are open to see
The Poetry of the Cosmos
connects to the song of our hearts
and weaves together the passions of our souls
to create a tapestry filled with boldness
of colours and textures, shapes and intricacies
that are beyond the limitations
we place on our imaginings
The Poetry of the Cosmos
is all around us and deep within us
listen … listen …
and let it lead us in a joyful dance
into life filled with the abundance of
resources shared
creation honoured
each one known to be loved
and wholeness lived
The Poetry of the Cosmos
is amongst us
standing on the tiptoe of anticipation
for the moment of our awakening.
Page 268 The Mended Mirror by Karen Hilfman Millson
Sharing Your Reflections
To add your thoughts to this conversation post them on the Course page under each session of Creating Space for Wholeness on www.AuthenticConnectionCulture.com or www.TheMendedMirror.com or on Facebook. Or simply be intentional about holding prayerful space knowing we connect heart to heart across the miles and time, and that together we are empowering and strengthening the things to which we give our attention.