As I contemplate the complexity of life, love, friendships, family and our journey with others, I am mindful as we walk through life, we are lucky to ever connect on a soulful level with one or two people; such connections are so unique and rare as two people wish for the best for one another, never wish to bring hurt, yet too, always are there amidst our deepest of skills, talents and joys, and deepest of vulnerabilities, failings and humanity. .... I love this quote:

A soul connection is a resonance between two people who respond to the essential beauty of each other’s individual natures, behind their facades, and who connect on this deeper level. This kind of mutual recognition provides the catalyst for a potent alchemy. It is a sacred alliance whose purpose is to help both partners discover and realize their deepest potentials. While a heart connection lets us appreciate those we love just as they are, a soul connection opens up a further dimension—seeing and loving them for who they could be, and for who we could become under their influence

John Welwood, “Love and Awakening”

Ever?

Do you ever in the fleetest of moments touch a tenderness and vulnerability within?.. Amidst the strength, faith, joy and love held, sometimes the smallest of things can touch our deepest humanity.

"I understand now that the vulnerability I've always felt is the greatest strength a person can have. You can't experience life without feeling life. What I've learned is that being vulnerable to somebody you love is not a weakness, it is a strength."

(Elisabeth Shue)

Thoughts on Prayer...

Amidst tenderness that visits... I was thinking about the amazing power of prayer and how we create with our dear loving God of grace. Since a small child I have bowed on my knees in prayer in the midst of tears, sadness, triumph and joy. ... I could tell stories of amazing transformation and miracles, yet too times of sorrow where I argued with God in the questions and sadness. Is it not such a blessing that we can wrestle with, talk to, cry with, celebrate, and express that which is our innermost self to the dear Lord? It is in times of tears, and in times of joy, in times of strength, and in times of great vulnerability that I find deep solace in God's gentle whisper.

I am mindful of the great words of Martin Luther as he spoke of prayer...

"God cares for us so much that he is prepare to give us even more than we are ready to receive or ask for. Because he is offering us so much, we can pray with confidence...."

I do not pretend to always pray in confidence of that which I most hope for, or the healing of my hurts, or celebration of my triumphs.. yet I know I can express anything to the good Lord, and am confident in His infinite wisdom and love that amidst my humanity, the good Lord listens, whsipers, and is always there...

So today I pray for my joys, my saddness, my heartaches, my triumphs, my questions, my answers and in celebration for all those loved, all those who hurt, all those in need, and all those special souls that wander to this place.

One Lovely Blog...

a favorite beautiful place... and a favorite time.. in Australia

Heartfelt Thanks to September Mom who Listed this blog as a "One Lovely Blog" award.. on her beautiful blog: My Voice, My View

I am touched....

Let's all take time out

and consider that which brings us beauty

and love

to the depths of our souls

Blessings

Kringle

“Be helpless, dumbfounded, unable to say yes or no. Then a stretcher will come from grace and gather us up” (Rumi)

Mom's Day

I am mindful that Mother's Day can bring a dance of gratitude, love, joy, and sadness depending on where we are in life. ... Today events were such a mix for me, in the joy, in the love, in the gratitude, yet too in the sad. ...

Perhaps in the many tendernesses, I was reminded of mom's schizophrenia and the barriers it has posed for her in fully realizing life... yet too the gratitude that she always did the best she could. I too spent time with a dearly valued friend, received kind messages from my "second daughter" and additional messages from friends, ... and I got to spend time with my little dearie...

In the tenderness, love and gratitude,

I pray all the mom's out there

had a beautiful Mother's Day

The tender touch of Humanity

Chinese friendship garden, Sydney

Do you every touch your tenderest of humanities

as tears fill your eyes in the dance

of the joy and the sadnesses that are the instruments

that play the melody of life?

Do you ever contemplate how love can be so powerful

that the Good Lord sent dear Jesus in grace and love beyond words

Do you ever stop and tenderly touch the loves in your own heart

that are too powerful for words?

Do you ever touch your deepest vulnerabilities

those that hold most meaning

and bring you to touch the gentle questions

of the walk

Do you ever drop to your knees in prayer

in awe

and contemplate the beauty of life

Do you ever?

Beautiful Excerpt...

Every beginning

is only a sequel, after all,

and the book of events

is always open halfway through...

(Wislawa Szmborska)

Perspectives...

I took this photo while at a recent National Conference in Texas...It is a reminder of the devastation that hit Galveston.

Sometimes it takes subtle reminders

to bring us to our knees

and to remember....

all those who suffer

those who are ill

those who hurt

those who cry out...

and to consider all that we have

all that we are

the many blessings that grace our lives

and that the simplest of gestures

can sometimes brighten a life