“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” 

Albert Schweitzer

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a lovely week!

What a busy weekend! I spent a lot of time visiting with special loved ones. I didn’t really have plans, and I was surprised by how I was able to extend my social capital, but I made it and had a blast in the process. Actually, I’m beyond blessed and feel immensely grateful for the ability to display love to those I care about and for the sparks of love and affection that came my way.

I have learned to manage my expectations, but somehow, this weekend caught me by surprise and filled me in ways I hadn’t perceived a need. Friends called out of the blue, meals came from unusual circumstances, and I have enough flowers to start my own florist shop. Indeed, it was an exceptional outpouring of love from my precious family and friends.

I know I’ve referenced this quote from Albert Schweitzer before, but it bears repeating and felt particularly poignant while writing this musing:

Photo by Vadym Devule. No copyright infringement intended.

Over the weekend, those around me have revived my flame, and I’m forever grateful. I wonder about you. Are you allowing others to speak into your weariness or loneliness? Have you opened your heart to feel the love being offered, or have you begun to fill the hole that may have been there for a while? Do you need to reach out to others, reach within, or reach above to find the lasting love that will quench that insatiable thirst?

I found this cool poem that I thought I’d share to spark something and get that kindling going inside you:

The Most Important Thing

By Julia Fehrenbacher

I am making a home inside myself. A shelter
of kindness where everything
is forgiven, everything allowed—a quiet patch
of sunlight to stretch out without hurry,
where all that has been banished
and buried is welcomed, spoken, listened to—released.
​
A fiercely friendly place I can claim as my very own.
​
I am throwing arms open
to the whole of myself—especially the fearful,
fault-finding, falling apart, unfinished parts, knowing
every seed and weed, every drop
of rain, has made the soil richer.
​
I will light a candle, pour a hot cup of tea, gather
around the warmth of my own blazing fire. I will howl
if I want to, knowing this flame can burn through
any perceived problem, any prescribed perfectionism,
any lying limitation, every heavy thing.
​
I am making a home inside myself
where grace blooms in grand and glorious
abundance, a shelter of kindness that grows
all the truest things.
​
I whisper hallelujah to the friendly
sky. Watch now as I burst into blossom.

I hope the week ahead is filled with revelations from within and sparks from others that kindle and rekindle flames that burn brightly. I hope you find your way to shelter and abundance. And I hope you find your glorious blooms grounded in all your complicated and magnificent experiences. 

“The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (GNT)

Have a grateful week!

Be Well & Be Blessed!

Lucinda