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Countdown to New Year's Eve

12/30/2020

21 Comments

 
A few hours from now we'll be celebrating the arrival of the New Year, and I have a confession to make. Though I write military/political thrillers and follow the deployments of our carrier strike groups and track tensions across the Middle East, my heart resides with mystics. They often see the world more clearly than I might, but when they point to the truth, I know it to be so. I think we all do. Let's travel a bit...

Hidden away in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, at an elevation over 8,000 feet, is the small town of Snowmass. Some 2,000 people live there, along with a community of Trappist monks. Fr. Thomas Keating was a member of this community until his passing two years ago.

I've followed Keating's work for years. He was a prolific writer, beloved by many. He helped people learn the art of meditation and contemplation. Recently a friend introduced me to his Welcoming Prayer. I had not known of it until she read it to me. She proceeded slowly, pausing at each word, and as she did so, I felt my heart release. Because of this, I share it below. 
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Basically the prayer is a welcoming of life and a letting go of attachments. It's universal, especially if we understand God as Love. I'm sharing it today, because I find its simple ebb and flow to be very healing and comforting, and I need that right now. Perhaps you do as well.  

Tomorrow we'll step into another year. Not much will have changed over night, but when we say our goodbyes to 2020, I'm hoping we're able to let it go. We've all grown wiser and kinder over this past year. We cry more easily, we love more broadly. Let's take those qualities with us. Our beautiful planet needs our wisdom, our kindness, our love - more than ever.
​

Happy New Year, dear friends! 💗
21 Comments
mark bierman link
12/31/2020 05:40:00

A wonderful post about acceptance and God's love! Thank you for this, Gwen. All the best for you and yours in 2021.

Reply
Gwen M Plano
12/31/2020 06:58:29

Thank you, Mark. I wish all the best for you as well. Your post this morning was extraordinary. ✨✨✨

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Harmony Kent link
12/31/2020 06:11:30

A wonderful prayer for acceptance, gratitude, and letting go. Thanks for sharing, Gwen. Wishing you a peaceful New Year! 🙂

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Gwen M Plano
12/31/2020 06:59:22

Thank you, Harmony. It helps me for sure. Blessings and Happy New Year!

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Marcia Meara link
12/31/2020 06:34:44

Love the prayer, Gwen. Thanks for reminding us that acceptance with grace is something to strive for, no matter our beliefs. Here's to a better year ahead, my friend! :) <3

Reply
Gwen M Plano
12/31/2020 07:01:05

Thank you, dear Marcia. "Acceptance with grace" how lovely. 💗

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John Howell link
12/31/2020 07:09:25

A beautiful prayer. A very Happy New year wish for you and yours.

Reply
Gwen M Plano
12/31/2020 07:59:33

Thank you, John. I hope all the best for you and your family as well. 💗

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Karen Ingalls
12/31/2020 11:15:52

That is a beautiful and inspirational poem. Wishing a blessed 2021 for you and your family.

Reply
Gwen M Plano
12/31/2020 11:29:48

Thank you, dear Karen. I wish the same for you and yours - an abundance of blessings and much peace.

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D.L. Finn
12/31/2020 13:47:55

I love this pray, Gwen. It is time to let go and embrace the now. I've lost my meditation routine and need to reclaim it. This pray is a good way to get started, thanks. Happy 2021 may it be full of peace and joy for you and your loved ones. Xo

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Gwen M Plano
1/1/2021 11:57:39

Thank you, Denise. Like you, I've brought it into meditation. Blessings. 💗

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Joan Hall link
12/31/2020 16:28:32

A beautiful prayer, Gwen. Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with goodness and blessings.

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Gwen M Plano
1/1/2021 11:58:14

Thank you so much, Joan. Warmest best wishes! 💗

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Jill Weatherholt link
1/2/2021 14:32:36

What a beautiful prayer! Thank you so much for starting our year with the right mindset. Blessings to you and your family! xo

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Gwen M Plano
1/3/2021 04:27:18

Thank you, dear Jill. Blessings to you and yours as well. 💗

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Jan Sikes
1/3/2021 14:54:27

What an incredibly beautiful prayer, Gwen. Thank you for sharing and I embrace the uplifting words!

Reply
Gwen M Plano
1/3/2021 15:55:57

Thank you, Jan. It helps me welcome the New Year and all that it holds for us. 💗

Reply
Teagan R. Geneviene link
1/4/2021 16:25:19

Gwen, thank you for sharing this beautiful prayer to begin the year.
I was sure I had commented on your lovely post the other day... but my Internet is iffy, so who knows. At any rate I hope your 2021 is off to a splendid start. Hugs on the wing!

Reply
Gwen M Plano
1/4/2021 17:53:03

Thank you, Teagan, for your warm best wishes. I think we're all approaching the year a bit timidly, but hopes are high! Hugs back!

Reply
Jacquie Biggar link
1/5/2021 12:38:42

This is beautiful, Gwen. Hanging onto our fears can only weigh us down.
Happy New Year!

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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