“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” —Confucius
The quote for this quarter’s focus of stamina feels right for a couple of reasons. After reading what I wrote for Q2 Support, I am feeling a bit frustrated that I could write the exact same things today. I said, “In the States we are struggling with some chaotic election energy, racial and religious tensions while the rest of the world experiences many of the same things.” And the sad thing is….it isn’t going to stop any time soon. We need stamina! We need to hold the course of stability and as the quote says, not stop. It seems we don’t need to worry about how much we are accomplishing or how often we are offering support. We just need to try and persevere as Jo Ann Mast so eloquently wrote in this quarter’s prayer/meditation. By doing this, we WILL create change. I hope this plan for an intentional labyrinth walk, for prayer and for meditation helps us all persevere. Thank you for all the light you each bring to the world. You ARE making a difference.
Peace & Healing, Ellen
Global Healing Response Quarterly: Quarter 3 (July, August, September)
2016 Theme: Stability
“The world is beautiful outside where there is stability inside.”
—Unknown
July-August-September
Focus: Stamina
Quote: “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” —Confucius
Picture/Symbol: Mountain (Photo by The Rev. Warren Lynn)
Color: Green
Prayer/Meditation:
Perseverance
Perseverance is a choice. It is not a simple, one time choice.
It’s a daily one. There’s never a final decision.
Our first “yes”—-filled with energy and enthusiasm—-brought us here,
but it’s no use as the waters rise and the turbulence increases.
By the time we’re surrounded by obstacles and opposition, by aggression and and mean-spiritedness, our initial choice has no meaning.
Having to make a choice everyday, keeps us alert and present.
Do I have the resources, internal and external, to keep going?
Can I deal with what’s in front of me right now?
Do I have any patience left? Is there a way through this mess?
These critical questions require a momentary pause, a little reflection.
Rather than striking out or being reactive to a bad day, we offer ourselves freedom.
Do I continue or do I give up? Even a brief pause creates the space for freedom.
We’re not trapped by circumstances or fatigue.
We give ourselves a moment to look as clearly as we can at the current situation.
And then we make a conscious choice—–Every Day
—Veriditas Master Teacher, Jo Ann Mast
Ideas for benefiting organization: Organizations like the Red Cross who have been around to support us for a long time, who have endured through good and bad times.
Ideas for ambiance: Large or small bowls of water with floating flowers or colorful rocks in small/large bowls (or other containers) with water.
Music: Music: Drums, rattles, chimes walkers can bring to play when walking or CD “Ashana: All is Forgiven” or “Chartres – Path of the Soul” by Catherine Braslavsky.
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