I attended a retreat conference on Monday that asked us to reflect on the last few months. As we closed, we wrote out a wish-list. Since I've been on a bit of a sabbatical from this blog, I decided to share my scribbles. Perhaps this will inspire me to start writing again. Perhaps.
Here goes.
6.13.2011
I want.
For the whole world to wake up. Especially us. Because it seems like everyone is sleeping through the most important parts.
I want.
For us to seek justice, not revenge. To seek solutions, not more questions. Even though questions help us feel better. Questions make us seem more important.
I want for us to help people, not because it makes us feel good or because it’s something we should do, but because it’s something we must do. Without a thought. Without a hesitation. Because our actions affect others. Always.
Justice. Humility. Grace. Community.
I want.
I want us to acknowledge our differences. To accept diversity as a reality. As a standard. The way the heat makes my hair curl but maybe not yours. The way the sun makes my skin pink and freckled but yours gets deep, rich, and dark. The way we may not agree always. That we maybe haven’t recovered from the past just yet. And to be patient about that. Because we all need time to understand ourselves. And the injustices we're born into. The chances we have with the choices we're given.
To acknowledge we share different faiths. Share. Not compete.
To admit we speak different languages but that we all giggle in the same tongue and wink eyes in the same mischief. Energy and space between skin can be electrifying. That love is universal. And anyone can be family.
Knowing that some times all we need to know is that someone cares about us. That someone notices the things we do. That some people love us, even if some people don’t.
I want.
To practice what we preach. To understand that we all need time to reflect. To heal. To recover. For restoration. Before we can go back out into the sunshine. A delicate balancing act of living, breathing, risking, and wishing.
I want.
Patience.
Tolerance.
Humility.
Peace.
