Thank you Graham, this perfect for what I’m going through right now. On January 30, 2021 my 35 year old had a rare stroke, which has left him In a state I can’t even describe. My son who was very active with family hikes & camping out, he is a paramedic. It is so hard to even try & talk about it, I went to see him in the rehab center, I thought I couldn’t do it, but I listened to my inner self saying he’s still the same child I raised and I am his mother, When I first entered the room he looked asleep, I walked over to him & touched his hand I knew instantly he knew me, not able to talk but I saw it in his eyes.
So sorry Rebecca ,I can't imagine how you feel. Unless you experience this we can't know how you feel . But my mother words to me "Pray about everything" . So my prayer to you is for guidance and help thru this difficult time.
I want to thank everyone for your continued support for my son, means so much please keep sending prayers all are helping. He has made little improvements everyday but that is huge. 😘😘🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️
My thoughts and prayers go out to you both. Every little accomplishment for him is a huge deal celebrate along side him. Knowing and doing that with him makes him all that determined to get better. I’ll pray for him to recovery every night before bed. I’ll pray for you as well to say strong and be guided. All the best to you both.
I pray for everyone ,for the whole world ,the sick,the ones who lost their love ones,people who lost their jobs especially in this pandemic.People should learn to love one another.A commandment of God.
Thank you for this particular poem Graham. I am a private person, so this is somewhat difficult to write and yet I feel the need to write it …
The subject of your work read today has been so much in the forefront of my thoughts and focus these last many months. In fact it has literally been central to my own personal journey. From childhood I heard the demands from adults,, parents, teachers, authority, government, that we must “listen”. We heard all those society approved words and rules. Listen and get the carrot: don’t listen and suffer whatever consequences apply. I was not a good listener to those marching orders. I danced to my own tune. Some knocks along the way, never took the easy compliant way, but the challenges and mistakes often made the success sweeter. …
But I had not stopped the “achievement actions” long enough to listen, not to the noise (even my own), but the truth of me just for myself. The busy world halted 2 years ago. Everything changed.
Perhaps it was meant to stop long enough for me to question because with “active non-stop” being absent, suddenly I was aware of a deep emptiness having to do with inside not outside. I felt lost. How I valued myself suddenly stopped: left. Using old tools exterior to myself failed to find answers.
Last year was painful. I was not patient nor at peace. I was listening to the jumble of words in my brain- Old whispers which could not walk me across the bridge.
Then, by happenstance, in a moment of deep fear and unwelcome solitude, sitting alone in the worst state of mind, I participated in your podcast 17 and meditation Graham. Perhaps it was the timing: what I do know is that I emerged with an inner core I was first aware of on that day. My face was wet with tears I listened to something inside of me that I had never been conscious of before … it has changed my life in a unique and even magical way.
Since then it’s been such discovery, sometimes even traumatic and tearful, but always enlightening.
There is no key that can be given to another. It has to be found by each of us. I suppose in our own way. The expansiveness of being open to that (even in a painful state) and ready for it enabled me to grasp hold of it. We each have our own path to walk. But we have to be wide open to be able to listen. It brings much peace and understanding.
As difficult as this was to put into words, I am so glad I did. We never know how one word from us or one effort we put out into the universe may help another person. You did that. Thank you Graham. I feel blessed to be on this current path to understanding and connecting with my own inner truth.
Sherry you are so brave to speak out but what is so important is that you did listen and Graham you know now why this is an important part of your calling too!
Thanks for sharing this, Sherry. It's sometimes hard to put ourselves out there because it feels very vulnerable, but you did a beautiful job of expressing your experience!
Thank you Cathey. It did initially feel uncomfortable but also i felt I needed to respond for myself and in an fully honest way. I appreciate your words.
I think that is a wonderful thing Laura! Thank you for your reply. You made my day! Sending many hugs and support. As I wrote before we are blessed to have this community.
I related to this poem and video so much as I've been struggling a bit lately to be able to hear the guidance I need. Even praying has been hard. And it's funny because as I was journaling the other day, the word "expansion" came to me and I wrote about it. It often seems that if there is a lesson I need to learn, it comes from various sources. Our friend Kerry James shared with me that sometimes our body & heart feel numb and then our head goes into overdrive. Taking the time to get quiet and letting the feelings work through needs to happen so that we can be open to the listening. I'm working on it! Thanks, G, this was very helpful.
A few years ago I would spend about 1 hour in silence listening for guidance from God. There were times when I would hear lots and times when there was nothing at all. But I always knew it was from Him because I would pray and ask first. I gave not done that for quite a while now but know I need to start again and Graham your Poem and talk have inspired me to do just that do Thank You.
Graham, I greatly enjoyed waking up to your email and video! Your inspired words are thought provoking in the best way. Because I am twice your age I am further down the path of self-discovery. My life was so confused until I became a Christian in 1974. Ha! You weren’t even born yet! I wasn’t without struggles after that life-changing event. I started studying the Bible in depth through a international Bible study group called CBS. I read and meditate on God’s inspired words, pray in Jesus’ name and attempt to follow it’s teachings. My best friends in all of my life were found within this group as well as my church community. I receive great guidance from the Holy Spirit. Reading one chapter of Proverbs every morning and five Psalms every evening accompanied by praying to God, provides me with supernatural guidance that I can trust. I truly wake up every morning with joy in my heart and love in my soul. I pray that every human can experience this. All the best to you always! Thank you for sharing the true you with all of us.
Debbie I am also a Christian I read the Bread Of Life and the Bible for my daily devotion. I pray for everyone in the whole world we don’t know what is next to come but God is in control. This pandemic is very strange it affected the whole world.I believe it is a wake up call for everyone to look up to Him and repent for their sins.
I love your poem🙏💖 & the video that accompanied it. So much that you said I could relate to. My place to listen, to find that inner peace that place of knowing, is alone on my nature bush walks. I was anxious at first, being out of my comfort zone, but I pushed myself & thank God that I did. I was able to let my thoughts flow through me in such a beautiful place, that I found I could reconnect with myself & find my path. My walks guide me & heal me in a way I've never known before. This is something I have only found within the last year or so. Even my family commented on how I had changed. How I was challenging myself & how positive I was. It was something I missed terribly when I was in lockdown & broke my wrist. To have found something so profound, only to lose it. Even though I struggled during this time, I tried to remember the feelings I felt & started to plan my walks plus more. Now I am doing them again & finding that place to listen & grow once more.
I’m a little bit late with my response. My email went to spam. I just happen to see it today. I’ll make sure I save the address so it will go to my inbox next time. I absolutely loved your poem and really loved looking at the ocean as you read it. The ocean has a special place in my heart. I have been opened to seeing so many new avenues when I am on the beach! So thank you! This verse in Proverbs has really spoken to me in the past about opening our hearts to listen. “making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;”
Proverbs 2:2
For me it’s taking a walk and just listening to the birds and the leaves. Sometimes I will turn on meditation music but when I really want to open up my heart to hearing and seeing what God is saying I will turn off all the noise and just hear nature. I loved reading through everyone’s responses. Graham thank you for opening up this opportunity for all of us. Look forward to next Tuesday!🙏❤️
I realize that one other way that I opened my heart and mind to listen is most every night I go outside with my big old white German shepherd and just stand and look up at the stars. The silence is so beautiful and it’s so peaceful especially on a clear night to look at the wondrous lights above me. I’m not too far from the city of Nashville so it’s not easy to see a ton of stars but the ones I see always bring me such joy and comfort. 🌌✨
Look within, listen to our own inner voice and intuition. I’ve found it requires stepping out of the stereotype of a woman who multitasks and fills every moment with diversions. We can fill our lives with busy. I know you understand that. Stepping into stillness takes practice and I had to give myself permission to do that. Not chastise myself for the pauses that my mind and body thirst for. Giving myself the gift of stillness, calming my brain, my heart, listening and eventually feeling the essence of who I am. The answers come, in their own time. There are so many virtues in the art of listening, patience, grace, excitement. Thank you for sharing your personal insight on listening and stillness. The wonders and delights we find there can be amazing. I am blessed to be walking the path with you and so many others. I wish you a day filled with beautiful whispers. From my heart to yours I send love and cheers!!
I feel the most guided when I’m outside, and when I’m alone. That’s the only time the noise in my head stops and I can hear. I need to work on creating those moments much more often.
Thank you for this poem and your beautiful message. It made me cry, but in a good way. And it felt so good to let it out. There’s something to be said for the comfort in knowing someone understands. Even though you wouldn’t wish the feeling on your worst enemy, there’s a peace in knowing you are not alone. It’s an honor to be a part of your journey. Much love and many blessings my friend 💚
Aimee. That was beautifully written. It is a honor to be able to safely share inner most thoughts and feelings with others in this caring place. We all have our life stories and the need for direction for resolution.
Thank you so much Graham for developing this platform and sharing your deepest thoughts and creative inspiration with us all.
This is a deep subject- and one that has been a struggle, also, for me. I'm someone who wants answers and will turn myself inside out trying to find them. I have been known to continually seek out advice, support and knowledge from just about every avenue you could imagine. The reason being that I always felt that somehow the answer to all my questions lay outside of myself - that someone, somewhere, could give me the formula that would help me out of whatever situation or life struggle I was facing. I was unwilling to trust my own intuition and to spend time in silence because it felt as though I wasn't 'doing' anything to fix my problem. I have tried so many 'fix it' formulas throughout my life and yet always there was this gap between what I learned and my own visceral experience. It seemed as if everyone else was able to integrate something that I was always missing. The past 9 months I have been broken 💔 and remade in the deepest part of my soul. Finally facing the traumas of childhood and coming back to myself in a way I could never have imagined possible. I see now that all I have ever needed resides within me and I am developing my inner wisdom. Instead of reaching out I have begun reaching in. It is the beginning of a new path - a new journey. I want to say a huge thank you to you for your support in it. You are such a light ✨ keep shining. The world needs more like you.
I'm so glad Carole that you are finding your way through. I totally understand where you're coming from. I sought outside help, but in the end I had to look inside to find what I needed. I applaud you for persevering. 🙏
Graham…you are such an inspiration to me. As I read your poem and watch your video my mind is deep in thought about how I can be a better listener…not necessarily listen to voices…but listen to what’s in my heart and listen for ways on how I can better share love of life…love for family…and love for the beautiful things that surround me…the things that so many take for granted like the forest, the blue skies, the moon and stars, land and seas. You have “expanded” my inner self and inspired me to appreciate more than ever what’s in front of and within me. My regret is that I wish that I had had the benefits of your inspiring and heart warming messages earlier in my life. Blessings to you Graham. 🙏 Danny Payne
I have big faith in God and i believe deeply In my heart that all what i get good and bad is from him.And i learned to listen to my self only i know what is good or bad for me.i found that music is one of my helpers to listen and to read your poems my dear friend...thanks for the inspiration Graham♥️
Your poem is beautiful, you are so gifted at sharing your inner world. Something that not many can do in such a sensitive way. I've seen how you've developed your sharing in photos and video clips and meaningful quotes. I was especially moved when you shared from Nelson Mandela's speech about our deepest fear being our LIGHT and not our darkness. That spoke to me as it was a message I felt I heard from God earlier last year. I want to also say a big Thank You for showing us this platform on which to share our individual work. I know Aimee has joined and shared some of her writing and I intend to share some of mine on a weekly basis also. You inspire me to become more than I ever believed I could be.
Thank you Carole. So very true. I say with infinite sincerity that I feel I have have found a safe place here to honestly share my heart and learn from others doing the same. 💜
Since I don't know English, I'm going to use a translator so they can read it, but I'm going to put it in Spanish too, in case something isn't understood.
On September 4, 2021, my sister passed away, after four months of fighting uterine cancer, she lost the battle.
I, who am a person of faith, who studied theology, philosophy, who teaches in a church, only asked God why? When she still had so much life to live, so many dreams to fulfill and her children, my mother and I still needed her.
Having studied and being a teacher, was not enough for me to answer this question, neither theologians, philosophers, nor thinkers, nor anything that I could have studied were of any use to me.
And since God is wise and never abandons us, he chose the most beautiful path he could...
Among all the messages I received to give me strength, I received one that was the one that made me realize that I had to move on, that I had to stand up to honor the memory of my sister and that I was not alone.
A student named Damián, a 17-year-old boy, gave me a lesson, it was I who learned from him, now. He who two years ago had lost his father. He sent me a message that said:
“Hello teacher, my classmates and I are here for whatever you need. Stay calm. You and I know that this is a very ugly moment, it is something that no one ever expects or imagines, especially when it happens so suddenly. Unfortunately, you have to continue as best you can, but you don't have to loosen up, I hope you can keep going and if you need someone to listen to you, even if they are your student, I'm here.
Remember what you always tell us, that God loves us and that he wants us to be happy.” Damian
My answer came, today every time I have a problem or some difficult situation, I reread my student's message, which I obviously saved and guides me to remember, that even in the most difficult moments we are not alone and God pushes you to get up and move on.
Como no se Inglés, vos a usar un traductor para que puedan leerlo, pero lo voy a poner en Español también, por si algo no se entiende.
El 4 de septiembre del 2021 falleció mi hermana, después de cuatro meses de luchar contra el cáncer de útero, perdió la batalla.
Yo que soy una persona de fe, que estudié teológica, filosofía, que enseño en una iglesia, solo le preguntaba a Dios ¿Por qué? Cuando ella todavía tenía tanta vida por vivir, tantos sueños por cumplir y sus hijos, mi madre y yo la necesitábamos todavía.
El haber estudiado y ser docente, no me alcanzaba para responder esta pregunta, ni los teólogos, filósofos, ni pensadores, ni nada de lo que podía haber estudiado me servían.
Y como Dios es sabio y nunca nos abandona, eligió el camino más hermoso que podía...
Entre todos los mensajes que recibí para darme fuerzas, me llegó uno que fue el que me hizo dar cuenta que debía seguir adelante, que tenía que ponerme de pie para honrar la memoria de mi hermana y que no estaba sola.
Un alumno, llamado Damián, un chico de 17 años, me dio una lección, era yo la que aprendía de él, ahora. Él que hacía dos años atrás había perdido a su papá. Me envió un mensaje que decía:
“Hola profe, mis compañeros y yo estamos para lo que necesites. Quedate tranquila. Vos y yo sabemos que este es un momento muy feo, es algo que nadie nunca espera, ni se lo imagina, y más cuando pasa así tan de golpe. Lamentablemente hay que seguir como se pueda, pero no hay que aflojar, espero que vos puedas seguir adelante y si necesitás a alguien que te escuche, por más que sea tu alumno, acá estoy.
Recordá lo que nos decís siempre, que Dios nos ama y que quiere que seamos felices”. Damián
Mi respuesta llegó, hoy cada vez que tengo un problema o alguna situación difícil, vuelvo a leer el mensaje de mi alumno, que obviamente guardé y me guía para recordar, que aun en los momentos más difíciles no estamos solos y Dios te empuja para que te levantes y seguir adelante.
I understand completely. I was shopping one day with my sister and I have a plaque that says God never gives us more than we can handle I wish he didn’t trust us so much. I lost my sister five years ago coming this March. I miss her dearly she was the youngest she was 43. Not a day goes by that I wish I could talk to her. I just know she is in a better place than we are and knowing I’ll see her again is some what of a comfort. God bless you and your family.
Graham first I have to say the poem is so beautiful you have such depth you amaze me always….. with that said I have Been struggling lately as I’m sure we all have for me it’s my thoughts my monkey brain so too speak I have been trying to motivate myself into a routine of being more disciplined with myself I love music it helps a lot I’ve notice I need that quite time for meditation prayer and walking I find walking and just breathing brings a whole new perspective on life for me and being with my grandchildren there innocence there joy the way they wake up with happiness for a new day my other thing is I’ve been trying very hard to not go on social media in the morning I’ve been listening to Scott Harris whom I found thru you.. thank you… and mornings are for me to take the time for myself and go for that walk and just breath I found this poem definitely resonated with me it’s funny you say or write things that sometimes I think your channeling me lol a little humor oh that’s the other thing without humor laughter the world would be a dark place this has helped me a lot in my life and putting my faith in god and I am blessed that I found you and I’m able to follow in your journey you have inspired me from day one blessings to you 🙏❤️ Can’t wait for next Tuesday
Thank you Graham, beautiful writing and an amazing photo.
I used to walk a lot to clear the confusion and anger but my mind would continue to race and It was hard to listen to. I would put in earbuds to stop the noise. I've recently started meditating and practicing breathwork. It has definitely helped and I am learning to listen instead of react.
Thank you Graham, this perfect for what I’m going through right now. On January 30, 2021 my 35 year old had a rare stroke, which has left him In a state I can’t even describe. My son who was very active with family hikes & camping out, he is a paramedic. It is so hard to even try & talk about it, I went to see him in the rehab center, I thought I couldn’t do it, but I listened to my inner self saying he’s still the same child I raised and I am his mother, When I first entered the room he looked asleep, I walked over to him & touched his hand I knew instantly he knew me, not able to talk but I saw it in his eyes.
So thank you again.
So sorry Rebecca ,I can't imagine how you feel. Unless you experience this we can't know how you feel . But my mother words to me "Pray about everything" . So my prayer to you is for guidance and help thru this difficult time.
Prayers for you and your son Rebecca. I am going through it with my mom . Stay strong. ❤
Sending prayers. Its so very hard.
Praying for you and your son. May your son continue to recover. I’m sure your hand touch helped him in so many ways.
Many prayers.
What a hard situation. Praying for your son and for you.
Sending you my love and prayers for your sons speedy recovery ❤️🩹
I am so sorry!! Praying for you and your son!!!
Thank you appreciate it🙏🏻🙏🏻
Praying for your son’s recovery .. and for your strength 🙏🏼 Keep the faith, Rebecca❤️
Praying for you and your son 🙏💕💕💕🇬🇧
Thank you, continue prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Sending my prayers for continued recovery. Thank you for sharing!!!🙏🙏🙏
Sending prayers for your son. ❤🙏
My prayers are with you.
I want to thank everyone for your continued support for my son, means so much please keep sending prayers all are helping. He has made little improvements everyday but that is huge. 😘😘🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️
My thoughts and prayers go out to you both. Every little accomplishment for him is a huge deal celebrate along side him. Knowing and doing that with him makes him all that determined to get better. I’ll pray for him to recovery every night before bed. I’ll pray for you as well to say strong and be guided. All the best to you both.
I pray for everyone ,for the whole world ,the sick,the ones who lost their love ones,people who lost their jobs especially in this pandemic.People should learn to love one another.A commandment of God.
Sending love and prayers for your son and your family
Rebecca God is good all the time.God has a plan for you.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Sending prayers and hope to you and your family.
Sending prayers for a speedy recovery continue taking care of yourself
Thank you for this particular poem Graham. I am a private person, so this is somewhat difficult to write and yet I feel the need to write it …
The subject of your work read today has been so much in the forefront of my thoughts and focus these last many months. In fact it has literally been central to my own personal journey. From childhood I heard the demands from adults,, parents, teachers, authority, government, that we must “listen”. We heard all those society approved words and rules. Listen and get the carrot: don’t listen and suffer whatever consequences apply. I was not a good listener to those marching orders. I danced to my own tune. Some knocks along the way, never took the easy compliant way, but the challenges and mistakes often made the success sweeter. …
But I had not stopped the “achievement actions” long enough to listen, not to the noise (even my own), but the truth of me just for myself. The busy world halted 2 years ago. Everything changed.
Perhaps it was meant to stop long enough for me to question because with “active non-stop” being absent, suddenly I was aware of a deep emptiness having to do with inside not outside. I felt lost. How I valued myself suddenly stopped: left. Using old tools exterior to myself failed to find answers.
Last year was painful. I was not patient nor at peace. I was listening to the jumble of words in my brain- Old whispers which could not walk me across the bridge.
Then, by happenstance, in a moment of deep fear and unwelcome solitude, sitting alone in the worst state of mind, I participated in your podcast 17 and meditation Graham. Perhaps it was the timing: what I do know is that I emerged with an inner core I was first aware of on that day. My face was wet with tears I listened to something inside of me that I had never been conscious of before … it has changed my life in a unique and even magical way.
Since then it’s been such discovery, sometimes even traumatic and tearful, but always enlightening.
There is no key that can be given to another. It has to be found by each of us. I suppose in our own way. The expansiveness of being open to that (even in a painful state) and ready for it enabled me to grasp hold of it. We each have our own path to walk. But we have to be wide open to be able to listen. It brings much peace and understanding.
As difficult as this was to put into words, I am so glad I did. We never know how one word from us or one effort we put out into the universe may help another person. You did that. Thank you Graham. I feel blessed to be on this current path to understanding and connecting with my own inner truth.
Sherry you are so brave to speak out but what is so important is that you did listen and Graham you know now why this is an important part of your calling too!
Thanks for sharing this, Sherry. It's sometimes hard to put ourselves out there because it feels very vulnerable, but you did a beautiful job of expressing your experience!
Thank you Cathey. It did initially feel uncomfortable but also i felt I needed to respond for myself and in an fully honest way. I appreciate your words.
Beautiful and so brave.
Thank you for saying that Laura. I really had to write these thoughts. There is something so affirming in the sharing
You inspired me to post a comment. Thank you, I think!
I think that is a wonderful thing Laura! Thank you for your reply. You made my day! Sending many hugs and support. As I wrote before we are blessed to have this community.
I related to this poem and video so much as I've been struggling a bit lately to be able to hear the guidance I need. Even praying has been hard. And it's funny because as I was journaling the other day, the word "expansion" came to me and I wrote about it. It often seems that if there is a lesson I need to learn, it comes from various sources. Our friend Kerry James shared with me that sometimes our body & heart feel numb and then our head goes into overdrive. Taking the time to get quiet and letting the feelings work through needs to happen so that we can be open to the listening. I'm working on it! Thanks, G, this was very helpful.
The part about our body and heart feeling numb and our head going into overdrive…I feel that so much!
It nailed how I was feeling, too, Aimee.
A few years ago I would spend about 1 hour in silence listening for guidance from God. There were times when I would hear lots and times when there was nothing at all. But I always knew it was from Him because I would pray and ask first. I gave not done that for quite a while now but know I need to start again and Graham your Poem and talk have inspired me to do just that do Thank You.
Graham, I greatly enjoyed waking up to your email and video! Your inspired words are thought provoking in the best way. Because I am twice your age I am further down the path of self-discovery. My life was so confused until I became a Christian in 1974. Ha! You weren’t even born yet! I wasn’t without struggles after that life-changing event. I started studying the Bible in depth through a international Bible study group called CBS. I read and meditate on God’s inspired words, pray in Jesus’ name and attempt to follow it’s teachings. My best friends in all of my life were found within this group as well as my church community. I receive great guidance from the Holy Spirit. Reading one chapter of Proverbs every morning and five Psalms every evening accompanied by praying to God, provides me with supernatural guidance that I can trust. I truly wake up every morning with joy in my heart and love in my soul. I pray that every human can experience this. All the best to you always! Thank you for sharing the true you with all of us.
Debbie I am also a Christian I read the Bread Of Life and the Bible for my daily devotion. I pray for everyone in the whole world we don’t know what is next to come but God is in control. This pandemic is very strange it affected the whole world.I believe it is a wake up call for everyone to look up to Him and repent for their sins.
Yes, He works in mysterious ways to give everyone every chance to accept Him. Let’s keep praying. God bless you.
Debbie I agree
I love your poem🙏💖 & the video that accompanied it. So much that you said I could relate to. My place to listen, to find that inner peace that place of knowing, is alone on my nature bush walks. I was anxious at first, being out of my comfort zone, but I pushed myself & thank God that I did. I was able to let my thoughts flow through me in such a beautiful place, that I found I could reconnect with myself & find my path. My walks guide me & heal me in a way I've never known before. This is something I have only found within the last year or so. Even my family commented on how I had changed. How I was challenging myself & how positive I was. It was something I missed terribly when I was in lockdown & broke my wrist. To have found something so profound, only to lose it. Even though I struggled during this time, I tried to remember the feelings I felt & started to plan my walks plus more. Now I am doing them again & finding that place to listen & grow once more.
I’m a little bit late with my response. My email went to spam. I just happen to see it today. I’ll make sure I save the address so it will go to my inbox next time. I absolutely loved your poem and really loved looking at the ocean as you read it. The ocean has a special place in my heart. I have been opened to seeing so many new avenues when I am on the beach! So thank you! This verse in Proverbs has really spoken to me in the past about opening our hearts to listen. “making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;”
Proverbs 2:2
For me it’s taking a walk and just listening to the birds and the leaves. Sometimes I will turn on meditation music but when I really want to open up my heart to hearing and seeing what God is saying I will turn off all the noise and just hear nature. I loved reading through everyone’s responses. Graham thank you for opening up this opportunity for all of us. Look forward to next Tuesday!🙏❤️
I realize that one other way that I opened my heart and mind to listen is most every night I go outside with my big old white German shepherd and just stand and look up at the stars. The silence is so beautiful and it’s so peaceful especially on a clear night to look at the wondrous lights above me. I’m not too far from the city of Nashville so it’s not easy to see a ton of stars but the ones I see always bring me such joy and comfort. 🌌✨
Look within, listen to our own inner voice and intuition. I’ve found it requires stepping out of the stereotype of a woman who multitasks and fills every moment with diversions. We can fill our lives with busy. I know you understand that. Stepping into stillness takes practice and I had to give myself permission to do that. Not chastise myself for the pauses that my mind and body thirst for. Giving myself the gift of stillness, calming my brain, my heart, listening and eventually feeling the essence of who I am. The answers come, in their own time. There are so many virtues in the art of listening, patience, grace, excitement. Thank you for sharing your personal insight on listening and stillness. The wonders and delights we find there can be amazing. I am blessed to be walking the path with you and so many others. I wish you a day filled with beautiful whispers. From my heart to yours I send love and cheers!!
I feel the most guided when I’m outside, and when I’m alone. That’s the only time the noise in my head stops and I can hear. I need to work on creating those moments much more often.
Thank you for this poem and your beautiful message. It made me cry, but in a good way. And it felt so good to let it out. There’s something to be said for the comfort in knowing someone understands. Even though you wouldn’t wish the feeling on your worst enemy, there’s a peace in knowing you are not alone. It’s an honor to be a part of your journey. Much love and many blessings my friend 💚
Aimee. That was beautifully written. It is a honor to be able to safely share inner most thoughts and feelings with others in this caring place. We all have our life stories and the need for direction for resolution.
Thank you ❤️It is indeed an honor! Such a large collection of beautiful souls.
Thank you so much Graham for developing this platform and sharing your deepest thoughts and creative inspiration with us all.
This is a deep subject- and one that has been a struggle, also, for me. I'm someone who wants answers and will turn myself inside out trying to find them. I have been known to continually seek out advice, support and knowledge from just about every avenue you could imagine. The reason being that I always felt that somehow the answer to all my questions lay outside of myself - that someone, somewhere, could give me the formula that would help me out of whatever situation or life struggle I was facing. I was unwilling to trust my own intuition and to spend time in silence because it felt as though I wasn't 'doing' anything to fix my problem. I have tried so many 'fix it' formulas throughout my life and yet always there was this gap between what I learned and my own visceral experience. It seemed as if everyone else was able to integrate something that I was always missing. The past 9 months I have been broken 💔 and remade in the deepest part of my soul. Finally facing the traumas of childhood and coming back to myself in a way I could never have imagined possible. I see now that all I have ever needed resides within me and I am developing my inner wisdom. Instead of reaching out I have begun reaching in. It is the beginning of a new path - a new journey. I want to say a huge thank you to you for your support in it. You are such a light ✨ keep shining. The world needs more like you.
Blessings Carole ❤
I'm so glad Carole that you are finding your way through. I totally understand where you're coming from. I sought outside help, but in the end I had to look inside to find what I needed. I applaud you for persevering. 🙏
Graham…you are such an inspiration to me. As I read your poem and watch your video my mind is deep in thought about how I can be a better listener…not necessarily listen to voices…but listen to what’s in my heart and listen for ways on how I can better share love of life…love for family…and love for the beautiful things that surround me…the things that so many take for granted like the forest, the blue skies, the moon and stars, land and seas. You have “expanded” my inner self and inspired me to appreciate more than ever what’s in front of and within me. My regret is that I wish that I had had the benefits of your inspiring and heart warming messages earlier in my life. Blessings to you Graham. 🙏 Danny Payne
I have big faith in God and i believe deeply In my heart that all what i get good and bad is from him.And i learned to listen to my self only i know what is good or bad for me.i found that music is one of my helpers to listen and to read your poems my dear friend...thanks for the inspiration Graham♥️
Becky - Music definitely ministers to my soul also. To listen quietly to the words and reflect on them is quite moving!
Your poem is beautiful, you are so gifted at sharing your inner world. Something that not many can do in such a sensitive way. I've seen how you've developed your sharing in photos and video clips and meaningful quotes. I was especially moved when you shared from Nelson Mandela's speech about our deepest fear being our LIGHT and not our darkness. That spoke to me as it was a message I felt I heard from God earlier last year. I want to also say a big Thank You for showing us this platform on which to share our individual work. I know Aimee has joined and shared some of her writing and I intend to share some of mine on a weekly basis also. You inspire me to become more than I ever believed I could be.
Thank you Carole. So very true. I say with infinite sincerity that I feel I have have found a safe place here to honestly share my heart and learn from others doing the same. 💜
Since I don't know English, I'm going to use a translator so they can read it, but I'm going to put it in Spanish too, in case something isn't understood.
On September 4, 2021, my sister passed away, after four months of fighting uterine cancer, she lost the battle.
I, who am a person of faith, who studied theology, philosophy, who teaches in a church, only asked God why? When she still had so much life to live, so many dreams to fulfill and her children, my mother and I still needed her.
Having studied and being a teacher, was not enough for me to answer this question, neither theologians, philosophers, nor thinkers, nor anything that I could have studied were of any use to me.
And since God is wise and never abandons us, he chose the most beautiful path he could...
Among all the messages I received to give me strength, I received one that was the one that made me realize that I had to move on, that I had to stand up to honor the memory of my sister and that I was not alone.
A student named Damián, a 17-year-old boy, gave me a lesson, it was I who learned from him, now. He who two years ago had lost his father. He sent me a message that said:
“Hello teacher, my classmates and I are here for whatever you need. Stay calm. You and I know that this is a very ugly moment, it is something that no one ever expects or imagines, especially when it happens so suddenly. Unfortunately, you have to continue as best you can, but you don't have to loosen up, I hope you can keep going and if you need someone to listen to you, even if they are your student, I'm here.
Remember what you always tell us, that God loves us and that he wants us to be happy.” Damian
My answer came, today every time I have a problem or some difficult situation, I reread my student's message, which I obviously saved and guides me to remember, that even in the most difficult moments we are not alone and God pushes you to get up and move on.
Como no se Inglés, vos a usar un traductor para que puedan leerlo, pero lo voy a poner en Español también, por si algo no se entiende.
El 4 de septiembre del 2021 falleció mi hermana, después de cuatro meses de luchar contra el cáncer de útero, perdió la batalla.
Yo que soy una persona de fe, que estudié teológica, filosofía, que enseño en una iglesia, solo le preguntaba a Dios ¿Por qué? Cuando ella todavía tenía tanta vida por vivir, tantos sueños por cumplir y sus hijos, mi madre y yo la necesitábamos todavía.
El haber estudiado y ser docente, no me alcanzaba para responder esta pregunta, ni los teólogos, filósofos, ni pensadores, ni nada de lo que podía haber estudiado me servían.
Y como Dios es sabio y nunca nos abandona, eligió el camino más hermoso que podía...
Entre todos los mensajes que recibí para darme fuerzas, me llegó uno que fue el que me hizo dar cuenta que debía seguir adelante, que tenía que ponerme de pie para honrar la memoria de mi hermana y que no estaba sola.
Un alumno, llamado Damián, un chico de 17 años, me dio una lección, era yo la que aprendía de él, ahora. Él que hacía dos años atrás había perdido a su papá. Me envió un mensaje que decía:
“Hola profe, mis compañeros y yo estamos para lo que necesites. Quedate tranquila. Vos y yo sabemos que este es un momento muy feo, es algo que nadie nunca espera, ni se lo imagina, y más cuando pasa así tan de golpe. Lamentablemente hay que seguir como se pueda, pero no hay que aflojar, espero que vos puedas seguir adelante y si necesitás a alguien que te escuche, por más que sea tu alumno, acá estoy.
Recordá lo que nos decís siempre, que Dios nos ama y que quiere que seamos felices”. Damián
Mi respuesta llegó, hoy cada vez que tengo un problema o alguna situación difícil, vuelvo a leer el mensaje de mi alumno, que obviamente guardé y me guía para recordar, que aun en los momentos más difíciles no estamos solos y Dios te empuja para que te levantes y seguir adelante.
I understand completely. I was shopping one day with my sister and I have a plaque that says God never gives us more than we can handle I wish he didn’t trust us so much. I lost my sister five years ago coming this March. I miss her dearly she was the youngest she was 43. Not a day goes by that I wish I could talk to her. I just know she is in a better place than we are and knowing I’ll see her again is some what of a comfort. God bless you and your family.
Thank you, i pray for you too
Thank you for sharing. This is truly uplifting. May God bless you!
Graham first I have to say the poem is so beautiful you have such depth you amaze me always….. with that said I have Been struggling lately as I’m sure we all have for me it’s my thoughts my monkey brain so too speak I have been trying to motivate myself into a routine of being more disciplined with myself I love music it helps a lot I’ve notice I need that quite time for meditation prayer and walking I find walking and just breathing brings a whole new perspective on life for me and being with my grandchildren there innocence there joy the way they wake up with happiness for a new day my other thing is I’ve been trying very hard to not go on social media in the morning I’ve been listening to Scott Harris whom I found thru you.. thank you… and mornings are for me to take the time for myself and go for that walk and just breath I found this poem definitely resonated with me it’s funny you say or write things that sometimes I think your channeling me lol a little humor oh that’s the other thing without humor laughter the world would be a dark place this has helped me a lot in my life and putting my faith in god and I am blessed that I found you and I’m able to follow in your journey you have inspired me from day one blessings to you 🙏❤️ Can’t wait for next Tuesday
Thank you Graham, beautiful writing and an amazing photo.
I used to walk a lot to clear the confusion and anger but my mind would continue to race and It was hard to listen to. I would put in earbuds to stop the noise. I've recently started meditating and practicing breathwork. It has definitely helped and I am learning to listen instead of react.