Community-hope

The Coronavirus restrictions and the media storms that have accompanied them have coerced us to all become more like islands, but ‘we are involved in humanity’…

Like many I guess, my mind has found itself not in a great place recently (relatively).

Struggles with our responsibilities, worries for our kids, relationship insecurities, finance struggles… The disruption in life’s comforting routines…

Everything feels very fragile at the moment.

If you have life sorted then I am happy for you, but I still seek a few answers.
When Bono wrote that he hadn’t found what he was looking for, did he know what he was looking for?  I am not sure what we all need? If anything. Or, what we-all might benefit from?

After John Donne’s No person is an island…”, in her Gift From the Sea Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote, “I feel we are all islands – in a common sea.”

I think some form of commune-ity is a big essential requirement. 

Why gather together? Why seek a form of communal-hope (church)?

Is it important to have, people dedicated to a greater good (ekklēsia)?

Is it important to have a hope-filled (worshiping) community…

Why is it important to have a common hope (faith) at the route of an endeavour, why not just genuine, good, disciplined, intention? It’s been suggested that hope or faith is what fuels good intentions. Where does ‘love’ come in? 

Then again, what is it we want to achieve with our ‘love’ and our hope-filled good intentions?

 

“What’s more important,” asked Big Panda, “the journey or the destination?”
“The company,” said Tiny Dragon.

Wallace Stevens discussed the idea that the interaction between things is what makes them live. Indeed!

What might we achieve through; arts (worship), interaction (outreach) & soulfulness (spirituality)?

Our state of mind defines every relationship in our life. Some Good News is, we can change our state of mind.

Perhaps we can start with a regular ’practice’, of being present to the now, present to our surroundings, our community, and being genuine with ourselves and others.

I have found recently that through routine practicing intentional stillness, guided movement, and contemplation we might find an opportunity to notice and grow… …simply ‘showing up’ to connect and recognize what ‘being here’ feels like each day.  Waking up to your own experience, daily.  If we can realise how it truly feels to breathe and be alive, perhaps we can start to notice how to be genuine.

A lot can rest, a lot can be created from noticing ourselves in the present moment. When this is practiced regularly, it might be easier to be genuinely present with yourself… for others.

Despite good intentions – without community and the fuel to mend stuff, I regularly fail.

We are involved in humanity.

Forgive me I know utterly not what I do!