wisdom & creation. (erin jean warde)
inspiration
“Our generation must walk the spiritual path that is available to us only in this time, with its own unique combination of wisdom and creation. I think there are many ways to find that simple path within ourselves, and I think that those of us who wish to see a truly, radically different world must demand of ourselves the possibility that we are called to lead not from right to left, or from minority to majority, but from spirit toward liberation.”
—Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown
contemplation
The past week or so has been a time of anxiety for me, specifically due to the threat of overturning Roe v. Wade, because I recognize the nuances of the threat, how it stokes fear, and in my mind’s eye I can see faces of the people I know who, without Roe, would be dead. I know others are in the same space, because the anxiety, fear, and grief are cares I’ve held space for in both spiritual direction and recovery coaching. It’s not lost on me how this is affecting us in our spiritual lives, because our minds, bodies, and souls are interconnected, and in how we cope, because this fear is worthy of our need to cope through it.
Generally speaking, I am a hope person. I quote “hope does not disappoint” more than anyone should, as if I by saying it, I could come to believe. Last week, I felt my hope drift away, sucked down into the spiral of fear. When I am in the downward pull, I try to conjure up anything bearing a word of hope, as if I could will those words to not disappoint.
I pulled a billion books off the big shelf to put on the little shelf (the little shelf is the “to read” shelf that is one whole shelf because of course it’s a whole shelf). I’ve been opening them up each day over the past few, mining for hope. I found gold in even just the introduction to Emergent Strategy, as it called me home to the roots of my hope: wisdom, creation, spirit, relationship, God. I began to pull myself up from the downward spiral, emerging long enough to try to figure out where hope still lives. I remembered I can do more than just pray my hope will not disappoint; I can try to make a bed of rich soil for it, where it can come home to me and take root.
I don’t know exactly what right now will ask of us, but I believe our survival will require we go down a spiritual path of wisdom and creation. I don’t know what to do, I wish I did, but I’m asking the Holy Spirit to give me the next step down the path, and in each movement, to route me toward liberation.
reflection
what are the sources of hope in your life?
what are the roots of your hope?
can you imagine a spiritual path of wisdom and creation?
programs & offerings
〰 I’m always offering 1:1 coaching, which are weekly packages (4 weeks at a time) and we can begin whenever you’re ready.
〰 if you’re seeking a spiritual director, say hi if I seem like a possible support for you, so we can discern whether or not we’d be a good fit.
〰 group recovery coaching returns in May with 2 calls: May 11 & May 25 at 10a.m. CST. it’s not too late to hang out tomorrow! you just need to sign up here to get the link to join. group recovery coaching is free, there is an opportunity to donate but please come regardless. I hope I see you there!
interests & joys
〰 I am simply sporadically reading the “little" shelf lol
〰 I’m also embracing the curly girl hair routine for summer, and if you know you know (how many blogs I’ve read and TikToks I’ve watched about hair care)