The proclamation came at an early age: we are born with original sin. We are sinners from the start. Even the young, unformed, still brain shaping young child thought “This can’t be true.” It is not a sin to be born. It is a blessing, and we flow from the great love and energy of the divine universal. Holy Cow, Amen. No mean talking, finger pointing, angry talking teacher can lead me otherwise. Creation is a blessing. Life is a blessing. Our unique bodies, minds, spirits, identities, beingness are original. First and only editions. Priceless. As original as each sparkling bloom of lavender in the garden. The fields. My heart. Each precious moment is an original spark on this journey; each caring touch is a revelation. Each gentle word a prayer. Each magnificent love a true wonder. I am original. You are original. We are original. “Original Blessings”*, created in love and goodness and meant to flourish and shine especially in our imperfection. Spirit bless our origins, our original harmony, our original joy.
• A term framed by Rev. Matthew Fox, and written of beautifully in his book “Original Blessing.”
Wow, Larry, it's an Original Blessing to read these sublime words this afternoon. Very much agreed with A. - you are so gentle and soft and welcoming, and yet utterly profound. So grateful. It's a tender day for me today, and so it's healing to read this :) Thank you!
Thank you Jillian. I feel a bit disoriented today, in a liminal place. Your creative spark, gentle kindness, skillful leading and boundless hope and joy inspire me every single day. I am so very grateful for you. Light to you in the tender places.
This is so beautiful, Larry. I love that you tied in the lavender here. And I am always struck by your gentleness and the way you invite and celebrate our whole selves.
I love the lavender too! I didn't manage (yet) to reflect on yesterday's shares, but wow, how fragrant and luminous they were <3 So wonderful to see the beauty of each one of you passing through.
Thank you A. I often read your poems before creating one of my own, and invariably there are pieces of what you send forth in every one. Thank you for being a blessing in my life.
Well said and stated! Profusely and sweetly grounded in what feels real and true! I am familiar with Matthew Fox, love the term "Original Blessings". I also feel the tenderness everyone else has commented on as it winds its way through this work. As a thread of beauty making this piece simply shine!
Thank you Julie! I do love the work Matthew Fox has don and is doing. Truly original! One of my systematic theology professors in seminary, a well known scholar, had a particular distaste for Matthew Fox, and we would banter about the relative merits of his perspective. I always had a good time quoting from Matthew Fox in my papers with him--I knew it would bring a reaction!
Just yesterday, I had the urge to try writing prose poetry for the same reason! I ended up changing my mind about yesterday's poem, but I was hoping to try again soon, and couldn't resist after reading the prompt today:
I think it's when I attempt to have an "original" thought that I find myself at a loss for words. Striving for an idea that I can unwind and weave with magic leaves me grasping at air, gasping at the dried-up well of words, wondering if there were ever any to begin with, or if I merely imagined them - but then, that's exactly what I did, isn't it?
Breathed them into life. Brought them into being through some spark, like the big bang. They say hope springs eternal; so flow the streams of inspiration, spilling forth from some internal reservoir replete with imagination. If I listen, I can hear them invite me to wade in.
Wow, A. - this is MAGIC. Original beauty, no doubt :) You are so very good at the prose poetry too!
"They say hope springs eternal; so flow the streams of inspiration, spilling forth from some internal reservoir replete with imagination." That's wonderful <3 I'm always a sucker for water imagery.
I relate to this experience so very very much. Such a big temptation as a writer. But you're right, and as I said too, nothing need be done in order for the original magic to be present and abundant <3
Yes, I definitely agree with, and drew on, your message today for this poem. It also very much came about because I felt stuck with where to begin lol.
This is so sweet, A. You are original and unique and your gift of expression shines through to me, even when it may feel like a struggle to you. I believe that even when a thought, insight or creative impulse we have may have been had by others in other times and places, it is original in that it emanated from me, and that brings a distinctive quality to it--the roots of even our similar ideas can be unique and original. Thank you for your incredibly original and inspiring insights each day.
Well said, Larry, and that's precisely the essence of this prompt I wanted to transmit today :) We can't help but be original. There is, therefore, always something new, even if it's "old" :D
Thank you, Larry! I feel the same way, that our ideas and creations may be similar to others, but we each have a unique perspective and voice, and there's value in sharing them, even (or maybe especially) if we come to the same conclusions.
A, your way and style of writing seems so natural, yes magical! I fall into a window of time your words creates. Wondrously getting lost, only to pop out after the last word, changed.
Deep…longing…devotional…yearning. Profound flames of desire in my belly to simply inhabit life…within this sacred body…to breathe generously with ease! Living wholly and profusely…being without identifications nor definitions like a character already written in a book long forgotten. Released from rusted shackles…constraints that stifle true utterances of love and creativity. Reaching deeply into ground…touching upon the unrestrained and untamed wild wonder that this form, this planet already knows. A wisdom so innate, an ancestral line so strong…binding me to the beginnings of the beginnings. As I call to this immense wilderness as the original dawn of life…it calls back to me…ever…so…sweetly.
"Reaching deeply into ground…touching upon the unrestrained and untamed wild wonder that this form, this planet already knows. A wisdom so innate, an ancestral line so strong…binding me to the beginnings of the beginnings." This feels rich and decadent even as it is grounded and also ethereal. Your poetry has a dreamlike quality that I love.
I love this Julie! It is beautifully evocative and just beautiful all the way through! I like this line "being without identifications nor definitions like a character already written in a book long forgotten...." this gives,me chills! Your poem i a prayer, a proclamation, a reclaiming, a naming and a testimony to wonder and grace. I picture the ground opening up and blooms of all sorts bursting forth as you shine in your originality! Thank you for sharing!
Original
The proclamation came at an early age: we are born with original sin. We are sinners from the start. Even the young, unformed, still brain shaping young child thought “This can’t be true.” It is not a sin to be born. It is a blessing, and we flow from the great love and energy of the divine universal. Holy Cow, Amen. No mean talking, finger pointing, angry talking teacher can lead me otherwise. Creation is a blessing. Life is a blessing. Our unique bodies, minds, spirits, identities, beingness are original. First and only editions. Priceless. As original as each sparkling bloom of lavender in the garden. The fields. My heart. Each precious moment is an original spark on this journey; each caring touch is a revelation. Each gentle word a prayer. Each magnificent love a true wonder. I am original. You are original. We are original. “Original Blessings”*, created in love and goodness and meant to flourish and shine especially in our imperfection. Spirit bless our origins, our original harmony, our original joy.
• A term framed by Rev. Matthew Fox, and written of beautifully in his book “Original Blessing.”
Wow, Larry, it's an Original Blessing to read these sublime words this afternoon. Very much agreed with A. - you are so gentle and soft and welcoming, and yet utterly profound. So grateful. It's a tender day for me today, and so it's healing to read this :) Thank you!
Thank you Jillian. I feel a bit disoriented today, in a liminal place. Your creative spark, gentle kindness, skillful leading and boundless hope and joy inspire me every single day. I am so very grateful for you. Light to you in the tender places.
I'm right there with you today, Larry. Tender is a rough place at this moment.
Thank you for your kindness and your passion. So much light, lavender, and originality in your liminality <3
This is so beautiful, Larry. I love that you tied in the lavender here. And I am always struck by your gentleness and the way you invite and celebrate our whole selves.
I love the lavender too! I didn't manage (yet) to reflect on yesterday's shares, but wow, how fragrant and luminous they were <3 So wonderful to see the beauty of each one of you passing through.
Just waiting for the word garlic as a prompt!
Thank you A. I often read your poems before creating one of my own, and invariably there are pieces of what you send forth in every one. Thank you for being a blessing in my life.
This is such a generous thing to say. Thank you so much.
My blessing!
Holy cow, amen.
Well said and stated! Profusely and sweetly grounded in what feels real and true! I am familiar with Matthew Fox, love the term "Original Blessings". I also feel the tenderness everyone else has commented on as it winds its way through this work. As a thread of beauty making this piece simply shine!
Thank you Julie! I do love the work Matthew Fox has don and is doing. Truly original! One of my systematic theology professors in seminary, a well known scholar, had a particular distaste for Matthew Fox, and we would banter about the relative merits of his perspective. I always had a good time quoting from Matthew Fox in my papers with him--I knew it would bring a reaction!
Just yesterday, I had the urge to try writing prose poetry for the same reason! I ended up changing my mind about yesterday's poem, but I was hoping to try again soon, and couldn't resist after reading the prompt today:
I think it's when I attempt to have an "original" thought that I find myself at a loss for words. Striving for an idea that I can unwind and weave with magic leaves me grasping at air, gasping at the dried-up well of words, wondering if there were ever any to begin with, or if I merely imagined them - but then, that's exactly what I did, isn't it?
Breathed them into life. Brought them into being through some spark, like the big bang. They say hope springs eternal; so flow the streams of inspiration, spilling forth from some internal reservoir replete with imagination. If I listen, I can hear them invite me to wade in.
Wow, A. - this is MAGIC. Original beauty, no doubt :) You are so very good at the prose poetry too!
"They say hope springs eternal; so flow the streams of inspiration, spilling forth from some internal reservoir replete with imagination." That's wonderful <3 I'm always a sucker for water imagery.
I relate to this experience so very very much. Such a big temptation as a writer. But you're right, and as I said too, nothing need be done in order for the original magic to be present and abundant <3
Yes, I definitely agree with, and drew on, your message today for this poem. It also very much came about because I felt stuck with where to begin lol.
Sometimes being stuck is the best catalyst! And nice to lovingly nudge each other from time to time.
This is so sweet, A. You are original and unique and your gift of expression shines through to me, even when it may feel like a struggle to you. I believe that even when a thought, insight or creative impulse we have may have been had by others in other times and places, it is original in that it emanated from me, and that brings a distinctive quality to it--the roots of even our similar ideas can be unique and original. Thank you for your incredibly original and inspiring insights each day.
Well said, Larry, and that's precisely the essence of this prompt I wanted to transmit today :) We can't help but be original. There is, therefore, always something new, even if it's "old" :D
Thank you, Larry! I feel the same way, that our ideas and creations may be similar to others, but we each have a unique perspective and voice, and there's value in sharing them, even (or maybe especially) if we come to the same conclusions.
I agree wholeheartedly!
it's all in the mix 🙂
A, your way and style of writing seems so natural, yes magical! I fall into a window of time your words creates. Wondrously getting lost, only to pop out after the last word, changed.
This is such an incredible compliment, Julie. Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I like the prose poem Jillian, and as always, your thoughtful reflection.
Thank you very much, Larry :)
Original...
Deep…longing…devotional…yearning. Profound flames of desire in my belly to simply inhabit life…within this sacred body…to breathe generously with ease! Living wholly and profusely…being without identifications nor definitions like a character already written in a book long forgotten. Released from rusted shackles…constraints that stifle true utterances of love and creativity. Reaching deeply into ground…touching upon the unrestrained and untamed wild wonder that this form, this planet already knows. A wisdom so innate, an ancestral line so strong…binding me to the beginnings of the beginnings. As I call to this immense wilderness as the original dawn of life…it calls back to me…ever…so…sweetly.
....a book long forgotten.....
"Reaching deeply into ground…touching upon the unrestrained and untamed wild wonder that this form, this planet already knows. A wisdom so innate, an ancestral line so strong…binding me to the beginnings of the beginnings." This feels rich and decadent even as it is grounded and also ethereal. Your poetry has a dreamlike quality that I love.
I love this Julie! It is beautifully evocative and just beautiful all the way through! I like this line "being without identifications nor definitions like a character already written in a book long forgotten...." this gives,me chills! Your poem i a prayer, a proclamation, a reclaiming, a naming and a testimony to wonder and grace. I picture the ground opening up and blooms of all sorts bursting forth as you shine in your originality! Thank you for sharing!
Well don't climb up here to find it, dragging your dented trumpet behind you
like another pitiful little wayward music orphan on a lonely self-sacrificing quest.
Go home.
pour in some Satchmo.
Bird, Getz, 'Trane, Sonny & Duke,
a little Dizzy,
a lot of Miles.
Stir.
Stir well.
The original sound you seek
is all in the mix.
A nice testimony to jazz and the sweet wisdom of the masters. Let the music play!