Your One Wild and Precious Life

*Picture by Christina of dew on grass at Holy Cross Monastery in New York

 A Practice in Listening to the Inner Voice of Love 

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

—Colossians 3:14-17

Beloved,

You are often worried about choosing the right course of action. “Am I picking the right degree? Choosing the most worthy vocation? Am I spending my time productively and wisely?” You know life is fleeting and you want to make the most of it.

In these moments you hear my beloved Mary Oliver’s words, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” as a challenge rather than an invitation.

Beloved, whatever you choose to do simply be grateful that you get to show up and be present, witness and participate. My activity is manifesting in and all around you, but it requires awareness to see it. Mary Oliver said she didn’t know how to pray but she knew how to pay attention,

“…how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields.”

Her experience of being present in nature became a prayer, a thanks offering. Her words uncovered the sacred for others and herself. Oh, how I have loved receiving them. Isn’t this the highest calling, living in union with me through all I created? Tell me, what else should she have done?

—Love