Dear Friends,
Following our reflections on cultivating courageous energy, I was drawn to this quote by Thomas Merton, which speaks directly to the challenges of navigating times of change:
In a time of drastic change one can be too preoccupied with what is ending or too obsessed with what seems to be beginning. In either case one loses touch with the present and with its obscure but dynamic possibilities. What really matters is openness, readiness, attention, courage to face risk. You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope. In such an event, courage is the authentic form taken by love.
From Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, quoted here
This reminder to return to the present moment, its “obscure but dynamic possibilities,” offers us a guide. Courage, as is suggested, is not about certainty or control. Instead, it is about meeting the unknown with openness, attention, and the willingness to embrace risk with faith and hope.
As we navigate the complexities of our world, how might we practice this kind of courage? How can we allow it to guide us toward wholesome actions rooted in love, even in uncertain times?
May this reflection support you in staying present and grounded, embracing the moment with courage and compassion. I welcome your thoughts.
With good wishes,
Andrea
Oh bless you Andrea for this guidance today. “Courage is not about certainty but about meeting the unknown with openness, attention and the willingness to embrace risk with faith and hope. “. I can see clearly how this applies to my personal and particular challenges and to how our bodies, hearts and minds respond to the wider world. I find these words encouraging, and grounding. And felt such a sense of connection with your message that I felt held in community too.
Dear Deb. I am touched to hear that the message resonated with you and felt both grounding and encouraging. Your words about applying courage to personal challenges and the wider world reflect such wisdom and depth. I am grateful to hear that you felt a sense of connection and community. It is a reminder that we truly walk this path together, supporting and inspiring one another through the practice of courage, faith, and hope. May we continue to feel held in this shared journey, and may courage guide us all with strength and clarity.