Becoming & Belonging (B & B) -- Weekly small group Circles for learning, connecting, and going just a bit deeper. Jump in once, or as often as your heart pings.
Dana and I walked last weekend along a trail and creek near where we live. We love the simplicity of the creek. And the togetherness.
We left a few little stacked and balanced stones in the evening sun.
I found a few words. And stacked them. Prosed them. It’s a little attention to the simple story in the way that I so often love. And a little reminder of life flowing, and what a celebration that is.
It’s a theme that keeps coming for me. When I’m trying to get at what lives underneath. Sometimes in my own learning. Sometimes with others. Sometimes in Life’s unfolding simplicity and complexity.
Learn Now.
From the path. From the blossoms so abundant in Spring. From the people blossoming near and far. From the distant view. From the close in. From what is smooth. From what is rough. From what is constant. From what changes.
Learn Now. There’s always something. And somethings.
It’s a call to the belly for me. That brings heart alive. That brings intuition alive. That brings wonder alive. That brings contribution alive.
Learn Now.
Learn Nowness. Learn Now, in present moment. Of present moment. Learn of what is alive. Of patterns. Of unfolded life. Of Life coming to claim us.
Learn Now.
To be people in connection, sorting it all. The best we can.
From travel. It’s been 13 days of cathedrals, vineyards, castles, and rivers. It’s been dear ones. Thank you France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland.
Today is a return day.
To this laptop. To emails needing attention. To projects and people ready to go. To sorting details left in short pause.
I prefer returns that “bring with” more than returns that “chunk” parts of me to leave behind. Or to forget.
I prefer remembering the coffees together. The immensity of cathedral and castle. The smooth glide of river boat. The feel of cobblestone under feet. The newness of love. The awe of things and peoples from very long ago.
Today is a return day.
From unique spaciousness of holiday.
Today is a return day.
To ongoing everythings.
It means start somewhere. It means celebrate. It means integrate. With added attention to kindness. With added and deliberate appreciation.
Today is a return day.
To life flowing in the other ways. Some small. Some large. Some simple. Some complex. Some with difficult sorrow. Some with exquisite joy flowing.
I said goodbye to my parting parents. On they went after five days reconnected. It’s old and familiar belonging. It’s slowed time that heals. And then the speed of postponed things returns. Good things, yet this transition unsteadies.
But then I start again.
That phone call was jarring. This time my dear son in deep struggle. It’s old and familiar pain. I hope it can transform some day. This isn’t a call that vanishes quickly. It, and the worry in me, bakes.
But then I start again.
That other jarring text. Of blame and hurtful assertions. It’s old and familiar narrowness. It’s words that drip with exploiting judgement. It’s ridiculously unfair. Punishing in tone.
But then I start again.
Start again. In new day, or in new hour, refreshed. With kindness. With clarity. It’s what I know.
To start again.
Gifts of Circle
asd Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."
Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.
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In My Nature
asd
In My Nature is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."
This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes) quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.
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Most Mornings + Note Cards
asd Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."
This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes) quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.
