What Wants to Grow in Your Life?

Wednesday Wisdom: What Wants to Grow in Your Life?

Years ago, when I was a retreat coordinator designing and facilitating renewal retreats for tenure teachers, I worked closely with Angeles Arrien, who has since passed away, but will always live on within me.

I remember on one spring retreat, the teachers and I gathered in the garden, among the fragrant jasmine, the blooming roses, and the tall Pine and Cedar trees. Outside in the sunlight and warmth, Angeles directed us to find a place to stand, and to feel our feet on the ground and our connection to the earth.

The sounds of the sparrows chirping filled the air. Each person found a place to stand alone, but within close proximity to one another, still forming a group. Some people stood in the center of the garden, others around the periphery on the grass.

As we stood in place, Angeles invited us to look at the trees–to feel our feet rooted in the earth, and to feel strong and tall like the trees. She asked us to reflect upon these questions:

• What do I stand for?
• What do I stand with?
• What do I stand by?

These questions have been on my mind lately, as I am dealing with change. I am being called to stand for myself, stand with myself, and stand by myself. This is my growing edge; this is where I am meeting God these days.

I am encouraged by what Parker Palmer writes in Let Your Life Speak: “Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks–we will also find our path of authentic service in the world.”

Pause & Practice:

I invite you to stand by a tree, feel your feet on the ground, and ask yourself:

• What do I stand by?
• What do I stand with?
• What do I stand for?

How are you being called to stand for yourself right now in your life? How does God want to meet you there?