All we have to do is open our eyes to the reality of Creation before us, to be present to it, to take it in and honor it, and welcome its gift of peace – and do so within the boundaries of nonviolence. In that present moment of peace, a new creation is offered to us once again.       Richard Rohr

Opening reflection chosen and read by Denise P.

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I stood at the edge of the marsh, taking in the undulations of grass, the expanse of sandy-greyness. As I stood there, I realized that my right leg was turned inward, knee collapsing toward the left. My core trainer observed this in me the day before. My default slouch, habit. I remembered her counsel: Stand upright, legs relaxed but straight, shoulders back, belly-button to backbone, tailbone tucked in; breathe; stand and be fully present to the conversation… Whether the conversation were with a 20 pound weight bar or this waking bog, I wanted to receive fully. I adjusted my stance. Each moment, a time to practice.

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Walking toward the ocean, wearing too much fleece for the brightening sun. HOT! Do I turn back or keep on? I take a couple more steps on the boardwalk, and a chill breezing over the dunes greets me. RELIEF! Glad I took the next steps. Out in the ocean a ways, I see a golden retriever in love with the water. In my next life, I want a coat like this so I can leap with joy over early March waves.

Reflections by Amy W.

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Resilience: After the storm

Photo and reflection by Jill W.

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I felt an incredible sense of peace today as I walked along the ocean, the sky was blue and the ocean was calm allowing me to be present to this incredible creation around us. May I do my part to honor and protect it.

Photos and reflection by Denise P.

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Both the opening reflection and research I had recently done focused my attention on non-violence. I thought of nature’s “violence” of severe storms, fires, earthquakes, and the like, as being “natural” events that help to cleanse and prune the earth… death and destruction followed by regeneration and new life… like that of the cycles of the seasons.  Unfortunately, as more and more humans live closer and closer to the oceans and forests of the earth, and as we continue to contribute to climate change and rising seas, these events have greater and greater impact on people, including a  significant loss of human life.

My thoughts then turned to the violence and injustice created by humans. This is often caused by ego, power grabs, inequality, and greed. Richard Rohr suggests: “The root of violence is the illusion of separation—from God, from Being itself, from being one with everyone and everything. When you don’t know you are connected and one, you will invariably resort to some form of violence to get the dignity and power you lack.”

 I pray that we as humans can learn from nature about the cycles of life and work toward non-violence and justice by better understanding that we are one with God and connected with everyone and everything.  

Photos and reflection by Nancy L.