Wildflowers–Photo by Carmen Meurer on Unsplash

A year or so ago I was texting family members little quotes along with a brief description of what the quote meant to me and how I was working with it. But eventually the practice fell off. When the covid challenge arose I picked it up again, giving my missives the title, Toward Wisdom. (I know, sounds way pretentious.) I thought it might be of benefit to share them here, picking up from the beginning. If you’re interested in being added to the direct email group please drop me a note (BrunsDP@protonmnail.com), otherwise they will pop up here on occasion.

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Dear Family & Friends ~ Some of you will recall that not too long ago I was sending along (almost) daily text messages with an inspirational quote and my occasional thoughts and musings. I didn’t keep it up for all that long. Sorry about that—or perhaps you were relieved!

It’s my daily practice to find a quote that moves me and copy it to my journal, along with my notions about it. I typically pull from quotes and ideas that I’ve gathered from my readings. I prefer this to just pulling something down from the internet and broadcasting it, as it is of personal note and significance. Given the challenges we’re faced with right now, I thought I’d pick it up again and occasionally share with you. I would prefer to text, like I did before, but it’s easier to compose at my computer keyboard. Please know, you need not respond to these emails, nor even read them for that matter. The fact is, at a time when we feel like we should be doing something we are directed to do little, see as few people as possible, and remain distant. This little email effort of mine is a way for me to do something, to share with you a thought or notion I find helpful and supportive at a time when help and support is needed but difficult to provide. So here goes, a verse from a poem by Rumi.

“Very little grows on jagged / rock. Be ground. Be crumbled, so wildflowers will come up where you are. You’ve been / stony too many years. Try something different. Surrender.” ~ Rumi

Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet Islamic scholar, theologian, and mystic. I’ve been reading his poetry lately and this verse jumped out at me. This was before covid-19, but now it seems especially pertinent. Whether we like it or not, we are being forced to try something different. And since that is the path ahead, be mindful of what you wish comes of this. Be less stony, more ground(ed). Invite the wildflowers.