"Our world seems to have lost all sense of reverence. We seldom even use the word any more. The notion of reverence is full of riches that we now need desperately."
~ John O'Donohue
Amen, I say. You?
With love,
Charlene
Above is the essence of Today's Touchstone.
Below is a longer version for
those who have the time and feel drawn to read further. Reverence is the gift that seems most critical to me now.
What is reverence anyway? What does it mean to you? This is what it is to me. First...what I think it's not.
Reverence is not bowing heads, bending knees, and speaking in hushed tones or remaining silent altogether. Of course, these
actions can result from authentic reverence. Yes, reverence may be experienced within worship but it is something bigger, broader, higher and deeper in and of itself.
Reverence is full of wonder, awe, and love. It's a regard for life, nature, and all creation that is well beyond respect.
The depth of reverence can bring tears. The lightness of
reverence can stir laughter.
I believe we all have memories of such reverence. They may be vague or non-existent in our conscious minds, but early life experiences of reverence are stored in our bodies. And the gift of reverence remains present and available in our hearts and souls.
I agree that "Reverence is full of riches that we now
need desperately." Do you?
So how do we tap into it? Cultivate it? Bring it forth into the world now? I don't yet know. I welcome your ideas and experiences.
I plan to seek some answers for myself through prayer, meditation, reading, research, discussion, and experimentation.
Perhaps you'd like to join me.
Please join me at least for today in two activities.
First, reach back to early childhood and sense one or two things that stirred great wonderment, joy and love in you. One of mine was seeing the ocean. Another was seeing morning sunlight sparkle on the waves, creating "water stars."
Second, prepare to experience wonder in some way today. Intend it. Ask
for help. Open your heart to love, beauty, and joy. Be ready. Watch.
With hope and faith,
Charlene
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