Day 66 of continuing recovery
This morning I took a meandering path through the internet from one beautiful gate to the next.
My unexpected destination was a quote from the Dutch-born spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen. He wrote, “Community is not a talent show in which we dazzle the world with our combined gifts. Community is the place where our shared poverty is acknowledged and accepted, not as something we have to learn to cope with as best as we can but as a true source of new life.”
This beautiful Nouwen quote was introduced to me by writer, speaker, teacher Patti Digh. She responds, “Yes… community is a structure of belonging.”
Patti Digh was introduced to me by Susan Piver through her Open Heart Project, a free virtual meditation sangha. Susan is a gifted teacher. Her meditation videos are truly helpful.
Back to Henri Nouwen and community as “the place where our shared poverty is acknowledged and accepted, not as something we have to learn to cope with as best as we can but as a true source of new life.” Isn’t this is a great description of the 12-step fellowships?
I share food addiction in common with my 12-step fellows. It’s that shared flaw which becomes the source of love, recovery, peace, healing, generosity, and new life for us all. Amazing. I am ever grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Image: http://christojeanneclaude.net/projects/the-gates
Happy Thanksgiving, Valerie! I am grateful for A Cup of Kindness. Thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom with so many of us who accompany you on this amazing journey of life, together. Love, Ginny
Hi Ginny,
How lovely to connect with you here! Your words touch my heart. I hope to see you over the holidays at Friends Meeting.
Love & Light,
Valerie
What a wonderful way to look at a “shared flaw”.
Hi Mom,
Thank you. Is there a particular Nouwen book that you like?
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hi Valerie!
So great to reconnect with you on Tuesday.
Henri Nouwen is one of my favorite spiritual writers. One of his insights that really helped me is about true humility: he says it resides not in our relationships to other people but rather in our relationship to a Higher Power. This helped me with my “less than” default reaction in relation to others, which sometimes gets in the way of feeling a part of my community.
Looking forward to more sharing on your coaching path!
All the best,
Alison
Hi Alison,
Thank you for your insight and your friendship. You were positively glowing when I saw you this week. How delightful!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Happy Day after Thanksgiving Valerie. I spent part of Thanksgiving reading all of your story in depth and was just blown away. Thank you so much for this blog. I had already enjoyed the various entries about abstinence and other subjects but it was quite something to read about what you have been through. The human spirit is an amazing thing. Anyway, thanks so much for being who you are and sharing it with all of us. I am now looking into Susan Pivar, thanks to you. We shall see what happens next.
Much Love,
Katie from program
Hi Songbird!
Thanks so much for reaching out. I’m amazed, too, when I look back. I inspire myself!! 😉
Here’s a post from Susan Piver to get you started: http://susanpiver.com/first-time-visit-to-the-open-heart-project/.
Enjoy!
Love & Light,
Valerie