A Day of Turning

Today is a day of turning. I’ve often felt early January as such.

For me, it is turning from some of the time that has been family. Kids. A few meals together. Walks. End of year reflections. A few intentions and goals.

For me, it is turning to the work that is in front of me. Wishing to bring clarity and grounding with me. Wishing to bring kindness and purpose from one setting to another.

It’s not an easy time, this turning. That is what I find to be true. There is something that I continue to learn about boundaries. About integration. About simple things that run deep. And about big things that run shallow.

Beyond immediate blood family, I feel there is something in this turning narrative that I’m compelled to live with others. I’m interested in how groups explore and identify boundaries that help to clarify. I’m interested in how teams live and love not just in the mandate of the day, but also in the larger cultural narratives of change. I’m interested in how any of us make sense of things together. I’m interested in how any of us in groups and communities sort through what have been habits appropriate and helpful for a time and season, and then offer courage to each other to participate in meaningful and evolutionary changes.

It is true for me that I want to live a live of flow. It is true for me that the changes that go with that can be challenging. It is true for me, that one of the greatest acts we can offer each other is the courage and encouragement to let go when needed, and to bring forward when inspired.

Here’s to the turnings before us. And to the struggles and the gifts that come with them.

2 Replies to “A Day of Turning”

  1. “It is true for me that I want to live a live of flow. It is true for me that the changes that go with that can be challenging. It is true for me, that one of the greatest acts we can offer each other is the courage and encouragement to let go when needed, and to bring forward when inspired.”

    this speaks to me. yes, and yes. Let go when needed, bring forward when inspired. pondering …

  2. So kindred to my reflections and post today, Tenneson. Though I appreciate the poetic in yours. I recall that lovely line by John O’Donohue, “I would love to live like a river flows,
    carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.” On the mighty Niagara where I call home – that means dodging ice bergs floating down from Lake Erie in the spring, power boats, a powerful current…
    Best to you in this new year, my friend.

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Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

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is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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