Sharing Inspiration

Today I have been reading some of my recent blogs trying to imagine how it might sound to people who don’t know me.  (Assuming anyone reads it, which I really have no way of gauging, though I know a few people do follow it.)

A little whiny was one reaction that leapt immediately into my mind. But also open and still (always?) seeking.  Maybe if I were contented and complacent, satisfied with myself and my life, I wouldn’t be seeking.  Assuming “discontented” means restless longing, as I have seen it defined, I’ll admit that describes me more, and I actually see that as a grace.  It doesn’t mean I can’t be happy or joyful, it just means I believe there is more and I want to find that.

It also occurs to me (not for the first time) how often I am inspired by nature, by being out in creation.  Walking somehow seems to engage my brain – or perhaps just free it up to roam open meadows and flow with the streams I sometimes walk near.

Today, for instance, as I was walking Charlie on one of our favorite trails adjacent to the Clackamas River, a bald eagle flew directly over us, not 20 feet above us. It had apparently been fishing in the nearby lagoon. I watched as it flew slowly through a clear blue sky and weak winter sun and threaded its way through the trees, a soul-stirring experience. Perhaps it has a nest nearby. I have seen osprey here often and caught glimpses of eagles before. This time there was no doubt.

There were other people in the vicinity, but they were too involved with their tasks to pay attention: looking down, not up. They perhaps haven’t read Mary Oliver’s “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”  I was astonished, and felt blessed by the experience. It seemed, on this first Monday of a new year, like a wonderful sign of promise and hope, especially given how threatened bald eagles were just a few years ago.

But, back to my blog and why I wanted to see how it sounds to others:  This weekend I sent an invitation to a number of women to participate in the next book I hope to publish this coming summer.  My blog and “42 States of Grace” are my examples of what I would likely share as my own reflection in this new book.  It is not yet titled, and may not be for awhile, but it will be a collection of essays/reflections, perhaps poetry, written by women in mid-life and beyond who, because of their life experiences, have a deep wisdom to share.  These are not famous women, but ordinary women, living their lives as fully and truthfully as they can, dealing with life's disappointments and crushing blows, but seeing the beauty and gift of life in spite of its challenges. 

Each of the women I have invited has faced some kind of loss, serious illness or other life crisis that has helped her come to know herself more fully, to accept herself and others as human and lovable. Each of these women has, I believe, spiritual truths based on her own experience of the Creator. Often this knowing is a result of the seeking that followed her personal challenge.  As Franciscan Father Richard Rohr writes, the path to transformation is either great suffering or great love, undoubtedly both. 

I believe there are many women who have important things to pass on to others but who don't necessarily have a very large platform from which to share their wisdom. I hope by combining the reflections of these women, we can also combine our platforms, our circles of influence, and provide a wider audience than any of us could alone -- a multiplication factor, kind of like Jesus' multiplying the loaves and fishes to feed the hungry. I think there are many who hunger for the kind of healing wisdom we could share.

This collaboration of wise women would focus  on Life, Love, Loss, Making the Most of Your Life, Living in Joy, the Gift of Experience, On Being Spiritual Creatures. It would include essays dealing with important lessons we have learned about living fully, what things we hold onto and what things we have learned to let go of, what are OUR truths. It would include reflections that are wise, witty, pithy, meaningful, poignant and true. These reflections would be meant to help other women who struggle with similar life challenges and to share our hard-earned wisdom with younger women.

So far I am surprised and touched by the overwhelmingly positive response. As I told one of the women, it’s a little scary and I will have to put on my Big Girl clothes, show up and be ready to work hard to bring this together. I asked for a purpose, a challenge, and looks like I’m getting one. 

But this morning seeing the eagle seemed very reassuring and comforting, helping me believe in myself and that anything is possible.