Blessed is Renee good who was sitting in a car to stand against the bullies who were sent with weapons to harm the weak by someone who spreads hate and chaos because he worships power and making headlines. Praying in grief and also praying that those following darkness can turn toward the light.
Thank you for noting Renee Good's goodness. She is truly blessed and takes her place among the martyrs of history who have been killed for their blameless and holy lives, and served as a model for all who would stand up to cruel oppressors, with words of peace. Her last words echo the spirit of Jesus' praying, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do. We can hope and pray that at least some of these violent predators will somehow be led to realize the horrors of what they are doing, and, perhaps miraculously, come to repentance. Their lives, if continuing to follow this course of evil, can only come to consequences that are beyond our imagining.
Nadia this is the first thing of yours that I read years ago. It made me cry then and still does today. I share it with people all the time. Thank you.
One of the things that drew me to your words was that you are not afraid to say you are struggling. Your humanity is humbly presented to us all. I feel acceptance in every word you write and am so very grateful for your presence in my life. I hope you are continuing to heal and send warmth and strength with a big hug your way.
Thank you for this Nadia. No question, you have the gifts to lift us all up, particularly when the world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket.
I just came from a meeting of friends who are on the road to recovery from abuse of alcohol, drugs, and other substances or behaviors.
Our group is called the Mustard Seed. We meet early every morning, sit around the table, drink, coffee, throw a buck in the basket and talk about what’s important.
This morning, someone suggested that we talk about how we describe our “now.” most of us have developed powerful tools that help us appreciate our. “now.” for me, the most important tool is not picking up alcohol. I’ve managed to avoid that for over 40 years!
Most of us talked about the importance of having a felt connection with a “higher power,” something sometimes indescribable, but which I describe as “ the sacred energy of universal love”
Many of us talked about healthy self-care, which includes nutrition and exercise or art, a hobby, etc.
Many of us also talked about the importance of healthy companionship, which can be individual or corporate.
It was a meeting of faith and hope so strong that nothing going on in our lives are in the world can defeat.
We often lose sight of the blessings of the “now.” it can be a simple as an increase of chirping birds this time of year, a baby crying, the sun peeking through, etc. For me, it’s all about a keen awareness to the gifts you described in your post.
I like the name of your group. It helps me to realize I don't need something grand to keep me on the right track. A little faith in Universal Love and Compassion delivers. I also like to focus on healthy self-care and companionship, so it's good to know that there are recovery groups that don't focus on character defects and war stories. I'm good at scaring myself when I reflect. I used to grab the edge of the table and remind myself that these are only memories and things I'd never repeat. I am so grateful that the cravings for alcohol have gone away, and I know that shopping online for non-essentials is getting easier to avoid, which lets me know there are other, healthier ways to get dopamine hits, and that I trust myself to make good decisions. Nadia is amazing!
Nadia, I wish I could get you and Anne Lamott and me together in an Atlas coffee shop (how about the one on South Broadway?) and have a long, long hug so that our hearts begin to beat together like a synchronous choir. Then we could caffeinate and carbohydrate-load and get palpitations and arrhythmias but the hug would be so worth it.
Dear Nadia, It oddly brings me comfort to hear someone like you say “I got nothing.” To not pretend that you have all the answers. I think this is a time of great lament and weeping. I don’t think any of us have anything to say without howling lament first. Then we can pick ourselves up and continue on. Thank you for your honesty.
Thank you for this Blessing. It's my first time reading it.
n.b. You don't always have to have the words, Nadia. You don't always have to be at the wheel. Stay present. Be kind. We get there together (wherever there is) or not at all. 💕
Blessed is Renee good who was sitting in a car to stand against the bullies who were sent with weapons to harm the weak by someone who spreads hate and chaos because he worships power and making headlines. Praying in grief and also praying that those following darkness can turn toward the light.
Thank you for noting Renee Good's goodness. She is truly blessed and takes her place among the martyrs of history who have been killed for their blameless and holy lives, and served as a model for all who would stand up to cruel oppressors, with words of peace. Her last words echo the spirit of Jesus' praying, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do. We can hope and pray that at least some of these violent predators will somehow be led to realize the horrors of what they are doing, and, perhaps miraculously, come to repentance. Their lives, if continuing to follow this course of evil, can only come to consequences that are beyond our imagining.
Thank you for these good observations and thoughts to follow.
Nadia this is the first thing of yours that I read years ago. It made me cry then and still does today. I share it with people all the time. Thank you.
Mary, same here.
Can I humbly add… Bless those who suffer that are in need of health insurance.
One of the things that drew me to your words was that you are not afraid to say you are struggling. Your humanity is humbly presented to us all. I feel acceptance in every word you write and am so very grateful for your presence in my life. I hope you are continuing to heal and send warmth and strength with a big hug your way.
Thank you for this Nadia. No question, you have the gifts to lift us all up, particularly when the world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket.
I just came from a meeting of friends who are on the road to recovery from abuse of alcohol, drugs, and other substances or behaviors.
Our group is called the Mustard Seed. We meet early every morning, sit around the table, drink, coffee, throw a buck in the basket and talk about what’s important.
This morning, someone suggested that we talk about how we describe our “now.” most of us have developed powerful tools that help us appreciate our. “now.” for me, the most important tool is not picking up alcohol. I’ve managed to avoid that for over 40 years!
Most of us talked about the importance of having a felt connection with a “higher power,” something sometimes indescribable, but which I describe as “ the sacred energy of universal love”
Many of us talked about healthy self-care, which includes nutrition and exercise or art, a hobby, etc.
Many of us also talked about the importance of healthy companionship, which can be individual or corporate.
It was a meeting of faith and hope so strong that nothing going on in our lives are in the world can defeat.
We often lose sight of the blessings of the “now.” it can be a simple as an increase of chirping birds this time of year, a baby crying, the sun peeking through, etc. For me, it’s all about a keen awareness to the gifts you described in your post.
bs
I like the name of your group. It helps me to realize I don't need something grand to keep me on the right track. A little faith in Universal Love and Compassion delivers. I also like to focus on healthy self-care and companionship, so it's good to know that there are recovery groups that don't focus on character defects and war stories. I'm good at scaring myself when I reflect. I used to grab the edge of the table and remind myself that these are only memories and things I'd never repeat. I am so grateful that the cravings for alcohol have gone away, and I know that shopping online for non-essentials is getting easier to avoid, which lets me know there are other, healthier ways to get dopamine hits, and that I trust myself to make good decisions. Nadia is amazing!
Blessed are you, Nadia, for all you humbly give to all of us. Blessed am I who receives you.
This was so helpful today my Friend. May your heart be flooded with peace today from wherever you can find it.
Nadia, I wish I could get you and Anne Lamott and me together in an Atlas coffee shop (how about the one on South Broadway?) and have a long, long hug so that our hearts begin to beat together like a synchronous choir. Then we could caffeinate and carbohydrate-load and get palpitations and arrhythmias but the hug would be so worth it.
You have both changed my life.
Thank you.
Blessed are they for whom chronic pain is not an abstraction.
Now is the perfect moment to re share these beatitudes.
Thank you for resetting my despairing mind set this morning.
God Bless You Nadia!
Written a decade ago, but evergreen. Blessings to you, Nadia, yourself a blessing.
Dear Nadia, It oddly brings me comfort to hear someone like you say “I got nothing.” To not pretend that you have all the answers. I think this is a time of great lament and weeping. I don’t think any of us have anything to say without howling lament first. Then we can pick ourselves up and continue on. Thank you for your honesty.
Thank you, I needed your message this morning.
Thank you for this Blessing. It's my first time reading it.
n.b. You don't always have to have the words, Nadia. You don't always have to be at the wheel. Stay present. Be kind. We get there together (wherever there is) or not at all. 💕
Thank you Rosie. That made me tear up a little.
You don't know how much I needed this, this morning. Thank you.
Nadia- you continue to lift us up. May you feel the love of all!