Ascension Day Newsletter

Last week I went to a book festival. I love hearing from authors and learning about new writers. But this time my imagination was caught by a workshop I attended on journalling. For a while I have kept a book where I write things I have read or heard that have meaning for me. They often lead into, or stem from, contemplative prayer and become reminders of what was important at different times in my life. My aim, in this workshop, was to enrich my journalling.

The presenter gave us several ideas, all helpful, but the one that really spoke to me involved looking at a small collection of cards. We were invited to focus on one card, I chose: ‘what am I ready to loosen a grip on?’

So often we carry hurts around with us. Some, of course can be resolved by talking to the person who might have hurt us, but not all. These can become heavy and cumbersome, quite literally, dragging us down. I chose to focus on a close member of my family who I can find irritating. As soon as I started writing I realised that I wanted to focus on all of the ‘goodness’ of this person. It prompted me to remember all of his amazing strengths, to look at the world ‘through his glasses’, and to focus on the love he gives and receives from so many people who I call dear friends.

What was so remarkable about this exercise, was the way it changed how I think and act towards my family member. I completed my entry by reminding myself that none of us can control our feelings, they are involuntary. So, the trick is to control how I respond. I thought about things I could do if I feel irritated, that would switch on my compassion.

And will this last…? Of course there will be times when I snap back with an ungenerous comment when I’ve been irritated, but I will try to forgive myself, look back at my journal and remember how lucky I am to have this person in my family!

Wendy Quill