“One can, I think, listen someone into existence, [and] encourage a stronger self to emerge…” Mary Rose O’Reilly

This quote was on the wall during a seasonal Circle of Trust at Bishop Booth Conference Center.  Listening is such a powerful piece of each Circle of Trust I’ve been a part of, over the past 17 years. We listen to each other. We don’t chit chat back and forth, making small talk. We give open-hearted listening and acceptance. What a gift to offer, and what a gift to receive!

Seventeen years ago, I was led to these retreats, and I keep coming back, as I continue to explore who I am in this mysterious life I’m living. Here’s another wall quote that I love, from Thomas Merton: “The issues of life are not problems to solve, but mysteries to be entered.”

Our life journeys include wide & interconnected circles.  "Living Courage" is a monthly invitation to pause, reflect, and align your courageous heart through living the principles and practices of Courage work.  In 2018, each month will focus on one of the 12 Courage & Renewal Touchstones in order to integrate them into our daily lives.  This is about practice, not perfection - and extends beyond the boundaries of a circle or retreat.

WholeHeart Board President, Trish Alley, offers her poetry and well wishes as she dives deeply into a three month leave of absence to focus on her writing.  

New Year Blessing for WholeHeart

May you shine with the brilliance of the full moon

and bring light into the cold darkness.

May you always reflect beauty and warmth—

I’m what you would call a typical morning person. My energy peaks before noon.   For night-owls, this behavior is a total mystery.  I’m equally in awe of those who are able to have intellectual conversations after 9 o’clock pm.   I prefer watching the sun rise.  Ideas flow easily pre-dawn, and I treasure the spaciousness of uninterrupted time when most people are still sleeping. Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed a new trend: my body is wanting more rest.   The sun is rising later too.  At first, I resisted this idea.  I’m a morning person after all!  I need that time for sipping coffee and puttering to begin my day.  I feel rushed without it.  When I open my eyes, the message is clear.  Go back to sleep.   I feel a tension, as I also hear:   There’s so much to do!  The end of the year is coming!  Holidays are here!  You’re wasting time.

December's Invitation: Living Courage - "a practice for integrating courage & heart into our daily lives"

The super moon kept me awake for nights, inviting me to listen deeply.  I am still searching for words, still asking questions.  I want conclusions, answers, and happy endings, but that is not what I am finding.

I begin each month sending out an email to everyone who has been a part of one the Circles of Trust I facilitate.  I call it Living Courage.  It is a practice that calls me to the task of listening and keeping in alignment with WholeHeart’s tag line: “living on the learning edge.” Here is my reflection and experience with the Courage Principle: “An appreciation of paradox enriches our lives and helps us hold greater complexity.”