Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for--
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world--
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant--
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these--
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean's shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
Oh Wow! this is IT!
I am JOYFULLY bodysurfing the current of Spirit's river for past 36 hours, after feeling like I was pushing the river for months, so burdened by a task I couldn't seem to perform, knocking on doors that wouldn't open to fulfill something I was clearly called to do. But suddenly in the space of a few hours, the doors started flying open, the Spirit flowed through like a river through a burst dam, only it was a life giving GIFT not a destruction. AND then I open my email to this poem by Mary Oliver. We use several of her poems in the prison where I am set free by my sisters who live there, and their courage to open their hearts and minds and relive their traumas to become free of them. AND THEY HAVE SO LITTLE of the natural world to view or experience. We will use this poem with them, and they will cherish every word. THANK YOU to those who collect each day's writings/quotes/GIFTS. I forward them frequently to our facilitators and our Board of Directors (see www.truth-be-told.org if interested). These writings from our fellows and sisters HELP us remember who we are - ALL family of God/Man, and who we are here to express and serve.
Gratefully
Nathalie
Hi Nathalie,
I don't often read the comments for Inward/Outward but I did for this
poem by Mary Oliver. She is my favorite poet and I also responded to it! I also have used her poems with incarcerated women.
I was so fascinated by your work with incarcerated women. I also do prison and jail ministry in the Cleveland area. I do a spiritual reflection group and a Living with Loss group at our county jail and local women's prison. We are currently doing an adaptation of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius at the women's prison - a nine week retreat in everyday life!
I looked up your website and your work is inspiring! Is your program used in any other cities? Would be great to hear from you and learn more about your outstanding work. Peace and Blessings to you, Linda Catanzaro
Thank you for the simple and powerful words of Mary Oilver.
She never fails to inspire me and touch my soul!
I have recently found a way to "instruct myself over and over in joy" through a quote from a study book edited by Jonathan Montaldo and Robert G. Toth. I would like to add it to our thoughts: "On the muscle of your heart is the mark and imprint of every person who has ever blessed your life, the etch of every person who has recognized you and extended their hand to you to pull your life forward."
This quote led me to take a journey back through my life, thanking God for all those who have blessed my life, and did so much to lead me along in God's way for me. What a joyful journey this exercise has been!
Thank you for Mary Oliver's "Mindful" this morning. I need to be reminded occasionally (often) that God's life for me is filled with joy and acclamation and I MUST NOT be too busy to live it with his purpose.
We have a five year old "puppy" who constantly reminds me to look, see, check out, explore, all the new and exciting things in life, everyday. His enthusiasm for life helps me to think likewise.
Life can be very heavy. It is good to "stop and smell the roses".
Me
The Grace of THIS Moment will be different from the NEXT or the Next One. Being "MINDFUL" of ... with a desire to 'paste a smile of Love' on each of these "...ordinary and common daily presentations" is to transform even the "very drab day" into a "PRAYER made out of Grass" and once again to connect with, become part of, "that Untrimmable LIGHT OF THE WORLD" - JESUS!
My kids do this for me - fill me with delight, and help me to see the world through their delight! Thank you Mary Oliver and Inward/Outward for sharing this beautiful expression of wonder!
Post new comment