Bookstores and libraries are perennial favourites of mine.
Almost twenty five years ago I was in Oregon to visit my Aunt and Uncle. Gracious and generous people, they took me on a little trip to visit a favourite bookstore of theirs in Portland. Powell’s City of Books. Oh my goodness!
We barely scratched the surface, but I left with a few books.
In the process my Uncle shared his love for Frederick Buechner’s non-fiction works with me by quoting from memory the passage that follows.
“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”
― Frederick Buechner, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation
These words have danced inside me over and over and over again.
I want to listen to my life. The parts that are glorious and beautiful. And also the parts that are tender and shy and angry and tight. The moments of triumph over fear, emotional paralysis, awkward kindness and snotty blubbering are all spaces for questions and clarity and grace.
They have so much to share with me. So much to seed in me.
As I listen to my life, having a companion and a community has helped me to not get stuck.
I want to listen to my life. I want to have my life listened to in safety by people who can help me wind through the pathways and not get lost. And I want to listen with you to your life too, if you will invite me in!
Clarity. Healing. Transformation.
Those are the things that are coming for me through the long work of being companioned by a Spiritual Director who has given me set aside time to listen, to question, to support and to offer a compassionate presence.
Through the years I have had a number of official Spiritual Directors. I have also had many spiritual conversation partners. And the abundant gift of teachers in the form of those who sought me out as a Spiritual Companion, Guide or Director.
The process of listening to our lives and finding where the spaces of joy and sorrow, boredom and pain, lead us is a gift!
Everyday there are pieces of life that can be gathered up. And as we collect those pieces in conversation with another, they can be placed together towards energy, peace, wholeness and healing.
Healing and transformation have come for me through the process of listening to my life in Spiritual Direction.
Spiritual direction is a sacred space for listening to our lives. With attentiveness and skill, in an environment of compassion and non-judgement, we can become people who are free to be our truest selves.
Becoming our truest selves!
Our world, our communities and our families need us!
Deeply loved. In process. Present. Becoming our truest selves.
Listening with you,
Jennifer
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As you think about your most recent day, are there any parts of it that draw your attention? Were there strong emotions or repeated thoughts? Were there glimmers of peace, flickers of sadness, flares of anger?
What stories have you encountered lately that are touching you?
How do you process the experiences of your days?
Have you ever seen a Spiritual Director (Companion, Guide)? What was that like for you?
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