About Me: 9.19.12 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

When the shock subsides

Like everyone else I can hardly process the tragic event in Connecticut on Friday. Ever since then I have woken up in the middle of every night filled with sadness for all the people probably awake with me; frightened, sobbing, in shock or numb. I try to send out thoughts of love and comfort. What else can I do?

There was a blessing sent to me by my friend Tracy Burhans that I carry with me in my purse. It has brought me comfort with my challenges but maybe if we just change the words a little bit it could apply to all of us.


When the reverberations of shock subside in you,
May Grace come to restore you to balance.
May it shape a new space in your heart
To embrace this illness (tragedy) as a teacher
Who has come to open your life to new worlds

May you find yourself
A Courageous hospitality
Towards what is difficult, painful and unknown

May you learn to use this illness (tragedy)
As a lantern to illuminate
The new qualities that will emerge in you.

May the fragile harvesting of this slow light
Help to release whatever has become false in you.
May you trust this light to clear a path
Through all the fog of old unease and anxiety
Until you feel arising within you a tranquility
Profound enough to call the storm to stillness

May you keep faith with your body (the human race)
Learning to see it as a holy sanctuary
Which can bring the night around gradually
Toward the healing and freedom of dawn

May your (our) presence shine a light in the world.



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