The Ministry of Presence
Tonight I'm writing to you from Utah. St George, Utah. Where it's red and orange and desert. And it's still and quiet and deeply calming. Apparently there are also roadrunners. And, apparently, gentle guided nature walks. With which I am still internally debating whether or not I will engage.
Tonight I'm reflecting on my desire to be useful and the simultaneous necessity of simply showing up. Without deliverables and notions and returns on investments. All that drops away and I feel I can show up, laugh more readily and listen deeper.
This weekend I'm in Utah for a retreat as part of an advisory board. Rather than tell you all about it at the moment, I'll leave off the details, munch on it and be in the middle of it. It's enough, right now, to share this with you. A meditation, a prayer, an offering from the desert.
The Desire to be Useful
"More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.
But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them."
-Henri Nouwen, Catholic Priest
(via Danielle LaPorte's White Hot Truth)
My wish for you is the same as the wish for myself: to take time to cultivate "the ministry of presence" knowing, while there's no way we can slow it down, we can show up and really be in it, for each day we do have.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Reader Comments (7)
Wow, this is beautiful and exactly what I needed to read right now. I'm constantly trying to remind myself to "be present," yet I am always working TOWARDS something in the future. Great reminder, thanks so much for sharing that quote/sentiment! Enjoy your time in Utah!
This is such a beautiful post, Gwen, and yet another reason I'm truly looking forward to doing a Rockstar session with you. Been living a quiet, extremely rich inner life of meditation and I'm now spreading my wings to bring what I have into the world. I want to "be useful" in that more public way but am also hoping I can maintain simple connections and just being at the same time. I'm looking forward to our conversation.
Enjoy the wonders of the desert!
this made my day. thank you. you. rock. xxxo!
Wow. What a great setting to recognize something like this. I need to work harder at this, totally. Thank you for sharing. Utah can be so beautiful, especially as the sun is setting.
Well said Gwen,
I am by nature and nurture, a problem solver. I forget that sometimes just being is good enough for those around me and I don't have to solve their problems. In fact, some of the most memorable connections have been about sharing, not fixing. Congrats on taking the time to realize and remind us.
Ahhh... the desert. I have some special memories and connections with the desert and mountain southwest. Every time I can find myself there, I feel connected and introspective. Great place to retreat. It's so quiet. It is hard not to hear your own heartbeat. Love that.
Thank you for the reminder that it is so important to just be with other people, whether for a moment or longer. I'm going to work on consciously being present to others when I first see them before jumping in to conversation or actions.
Henri Nouwen is one of my favorites. His wisdom and insight has shored me up through many a dark moment. He's brilliant!