Practicing Hope week 3 - My best self

AWM

I want to apologize because I have gotten behind in meeting you here. I listen and re-listen to the message for practicing Hope with Krista TIppett and let it sink in. The message for week 3 comes from Naomi Shihab Nye. While she is new to me, her message about journaling is not. Writing has helped me learn about myself, work out my struggles, calm, and challenge me. Writing has exposed some of my worst self and my best self. And seeing that in me, helps me to recognize the worst and best that resides in us all. It is a matter of which one we will allow expression, which one will we exercise?

For the past few years I have engaged the practice of beginning my journal entry with a theme, a statement to guide me through the year. Since January 1, 2025, my day starts with I am at Peace because I felt this to be my greatest need in the midst of my own challenges and the ones our world is encountering. In the following months, my reflections revealed another phrase to live into, I am gracious.

As I sit now, I wonder, is this true today? Here’s the thing. Although the surface of my soul may not feel peace and graciousness, when I sit and draw from the well deep within, my truths emerge and nurture me. Just because I am experiencing other feelings does not mean who I am is not true. Amid personal hurt, amid the crises playing out in our country, the targeting of innocents and the abuse of power, I continue to seek my best self in response. I sure as hec am not perfect. Never will be. But I’ll keep practicing. I’ll keep exercising Hope for the Common Good – it begins with me.

in this together…