[Fwd: Response to vocational gathering]
simm...@luther.edu
Subject: Response to vocational gathering
From: "semperca...@netzero.com" <semperca...@netzero.com>
Date: Tue, August 29, 2006 5:00 pm
To: simm...@luther.edu
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I learned a great deal regarding living well. I think one of my
principle learnings was discovering that there is so much possibility in
the moment and that when I reside in the moment, I am free to
express myself more profoundly. I found that in many ways I already meet
life with a resilient spirit, a spirit that is essential to truly
embracing life and thriving, rather than just surviving. I also
learned that I do an awful lot of philosophy already, even though I lack
the specific degrees. Philospohy has always been present in my most
reflective moments, moments that have stretched across a lifetime for me.
It has felt to me like an intuitive pause, if you will, like I was
reaching a sense of truth and inner knowing that simply felt like my best
self. I am learning to honor this process even more, and it has allowed
me to reframe my perspective on my personhood at various stages of my life
when my way of knowing was not particularly en vogue and when I did not
fully understand it or nourish it. The gathering taught me how
significant finding this quiet space is to my well-being and my ability to
be a force for goodness in the world.
I also found that I can choose to define vocation in a more empowering way
for myself. I am not someone who hasn't found it, but rather
someone who is attempting to funnel her whole life into a vocational nexus
where all actions are integrated in integrity and love.
I would say to others that the best thing one can do in order to take the
risks necessary for a truly fulfilling life that includes attention to
oneself as a whole person is to always "listen" to self, including
messages from the body, the mind, the gut--the whole. It is only by
listening deeply that you will be strong enough to direct yourself, even
as you listen to trusted others, toward the place you can make the most
difference for your life and the lives of others, if only to live in
joy--as if that were a small accomplishment. If you intend no harm, you
will be large enough to offer yourself to the world.
Logictically, I agree we could have taken less time for introductions and
I also agree with Dan that often large group discussions were best.
I felt blessed to be at our final morning gathering and blessed to be
witness to everyone, including Kent and his realization through tears of
the significance of his legacy, if indeed this realization played a role
in such expression. Thanks to everyone for touching my life, however
briefly and however profoundly, in this way.
Jenny