Locally
By Shirley Riga
It’s been over 15 weeks
Of living in a strange world
Adjusting and adapting
Shifting goals and
Realigning tasks
I have accepted
The changes in my world
Globally and locally
Impact and impress me
With sadness and anger
fear and joy
I surrender to circumstances
As I prepare for this week,
I turn towards acceptance
And think of angels
I put one at every task
At my ride in the car
Ahead of me for parking
At the receptionist’s desk
In the waiting room
The surgical suite
In every corner of where I will be
An angel stands ready
Clearing, Supporting, steady
If I forget to remember
An angel is on my tongue
If I lose sight of my focus
An angel touches my nose
I’m calling all angels
To support me
In this present challenge
Of acceptance
Globally
By Mark Nepo
“My efforts now turn
from trying to outrun suffering
to accepting love wherever
I can find it.
Stripped of causes and plans
and things to strive for,
I have discovered everything
I could need or ask for
is right here—
in flawed abundance.
We cannot eliminate hunger,
but we can feed each other.
We cannot eliminate loneliness,
but we can hold each other.
We cannot eliminate pain,
but we can live a life
of compassion…
There is nothing to do
and nowhere to go.
Accepting this,
we can do everything
and go anywhere.”
Participants’ Reflections:
I loved the image of angels everywhere. This is good to keep in mind even for less challenging situations. And angels don’t get viruses.
I've done a similar thing, where I ask god to be with the doctor, with a worker, to find parking spaces. It amazes me and it always works. I have a vision of you wrapped safely in blanket.
When I had surgery, my meditation music was plugged into their sound system so that not only did I hear it, so did the medical staff. I loved Mark Nepo’s reading. It reminds me of Jean Shinoda Bolen and the women’s circles. When the millionth circle happens, it is a tipping point. Like the hundredth monkey. Like in Horton Hears a Who, “we are here, we are here”. I keep that in mind when I don’t want to go somewhere. Bolen wrote Goddesses in Every Woman and The Millionth Circle. Could register circles.
Anything is possible. You are being supported in love. We call it bookending it: getting support and love before the event and then the sharing afterwards. I will be holding you in prayer and love during this week as you have this procedure.
People have said one can be closer to one’s chosen family than their biological one. I am feeling closer to my virtual family here. Thich Nhat Hanh has said something about we are all one and we can’t get away. Don’t even think of getting away.
For music, I'll listen to Kenneth Soares, he creates affirmations with music
Know you will be in our hearts and minds
I feel it. Because this space is virtual, and filled with energy and words, I’m not distracted and I can feel it.
In yesterday’s meditation, I had energy burst through my feet after they’ve been closed energetically for at least two years. The feeling stayed all day, and I was less wobbly. It’s amazing.
I am reminded of the words of a song we sing, “we’re sending you light to heal you and hold you.” The music is from Womansong of Asheville