“Joanna Macy writes that until we can grieve for our planet we cannot love it—grieving is a sign of spiritual health. But it is not enough to weep for our lost landscapes; we have to put our hands in the earth to make ourselves whole again. Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer
How do you find joy in caring for the earth?
We speak disparagingly of “a Band-Aid solution” as something that doesn’t really solve an underlying problem. But sometimes what is needed is just a little protective space in which healing can take place.
When has a small solution been just what you needed?
“Words and eggs must be handled with care.
Once broken they are impossible
things to repair.”
― Anne Sexton
How have you addressed it when someone has broken their word with you?
For those of us who are not rocks, balance is not a fixed point, but a continual process. When we walk, our weight shifts and with each step we catch ourselves and restore ourselves to balance. But so many other aspects of life—work, play, family, learning, rest—require a continual process of recognizing when we are falling out of balance and a push to try to restore ourselves to the point where life feels, if not perfectly balanced, then at least closer to that point where we don’t feel like we’re falling.
What do you do to try to restore yourself to balance?
“The work of restoration cannot begin until a problem is fully faced.”
― Dan Allender
What problem are you currently facing?
