Sybil Responds
I am utterly overwhelmed and humbled by the response to my last post. I received many lengthy letters from people, some of whom I have known for years and some who have never posted a comment before. If I have not responded to your letter yet, please know that I will and that I am just seeking words which are adequate containers for what I feel. There have also been so many beautiful and supportive comments both here and via email.
It is a great surprise to me that my words and journey have impacted people to strongly. This is a deep lesson about self-judgment and trust. I guess that none of us understand the wake our vessel leaves as we navigate through life. We may judge our contribution as small or meaningless, but if this has taught me nothing else, it is that we are not meant to judge ourselves.
We are meant to wade into the Light and embrace our path, trusting that if we pursuit our calling, we add to what is good and true in this world. Let us leave the judgments, good or bad, to others. In the end we may all be truly astounded, as I am astounded today, by how empty my own judgments were.
My heart is filled with love. You have filled me. Thank you.
A fish cannot drown in water,
A bird does not fall in air.
In the fire of creation,
God doesn’t vanish:
The fire brightens.
Each creature God made
must live in its own true nature;
How could I resist my nature,
That lives for oneness with God?
- Mechthild of Magdeburg
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Thursday, April 16th, 2009,
by Painter of Blue and is filed under "Gratitude, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Poetry, Spiritual Path, Women Mystics, judgment, Gratitude, judgment, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Poetry, Spiritual Path, Women Mystics ".
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5 Responses “Sybil Responds”
you are not reflected by any mirror
Sybil, I was really moved by your post the other day but didn’t have time to comment in my rush to get ready for this conference I am attending. I am really moved by what others wrote and your own response here. I am also delighted that the interview which I will be posting Monday, helped at least in a small way to prompt this. Blessings on your beautiful self. Christine
You are such a lovely presence on my computer day after day. I am so proud of you. An artist brings beauty to the world with their work and with your bravery and your beauty you have brought so much more that. Acceptance is what we should strive for. It has been an issue I’ve been dealing with for quite a while. Perhaps you’ve made it easier(still haven’t taken the picture myself). Blessings to you.
Twitter: karinbartimole
says:
Dear Sybil, one of the things I find here, through you, repeatedly, is a presence of grace and gratitude that rises above all else. Again you demonstrate that for us so beautifully. Your artwork, your poetry, your sharing, your dedication, your spirit are so much greater than what your body can contain… but we are human, too, and now you have shared your humanity as courageously and beautifully as you have other facets of your being. It is through our witnessing that we too are healed. Thank you for that opportunity. With deep admiration and love, Karin
Twitter: LyndaLehmann
says:
Yes, Sybil, we judge ourselves so harshly, adding so much pain to that which we already feel. Then we must close down to life, in order to shield ourselves from the pain. But in doing so we deprive ourselves of the light, and forget that we may be a light to others. I am so happy to have met you, who are true and good and pure of spirit. This is my opinion.
I wish you freedom from pain, and all the love and joy you can bear. Thank you for shining your spiritual light on us, by sharing what has been so painful for you.