Click here to read more #spiritualjourney posts. Thanks Holly for hosting this roundup!
Holly invites us to reflect on our spiritual journey. For the next several weeks, we will be writing about different little words. Carol’s word is Listen. I chose to write a poem today.
Turn off the sound machine.
Listen.
Hear the refrain of a hymn in your mind.
Find strength in the silence.Open the window.
Listen.
Hear the sound of the rain on the roof.
Find solace in the rhythm.Take a walk with a friend.
Listen.
Hear her story.
Find company in connection.Enter the world.
Listen.
Hear echoes of chanting.
Find peace in shared sympathy.–Margaret Simon
“The deepest source of real power lies in consciousness and the ability to be present in all circumstances.” (Understanding the Enneagram, 331)
My Enneagram number is two. I am the giver, the helper, the one who does for others before doing for herself. I can get wrapped up in helping and giving for selfish reasons, to gain approval or love. Julie Johnson introduced me the Ennegram Institute and the “Thought of the Day.” Today I could see the wisdom. Be in the moment.
Listen. Wake up.
Reflections on the Teche 
I think it takes a ton of courage to say this:
I can get wrapped up in helping and giving for selfish reasons, to gain approval or love.
Almost feels like you are waiting for someone to listen to you?
I dare say, you are not selfish. That what people tell me when I am unable to provide them with what they need. This “selfish” is God really telling us, our talents are used in better place, with, better people.
Just a thought.
I think knowledge of self as well as listening for God make us better givers.
A great reflection for the day. I miss you and hope all is well. I want to catch up when you can.
Love you so have a great day! Jen
Margaret, there are so many nuggets in your post that speak to my heart and honor my OLW, Listen. Strength, silence, sound, solace, shared sympathy all are there to connect us to a listening spirit (in these words is another poem). Thank you for bringing my attention to beautiful quotes from the Ennegram Institute and Thought of the Day. I shall explore those.
Your poem is so peaceful. I love “The deepest source of real power lies in consciousness and the ability to be present in all circumstances.” This quote captures the idea that FOCUS and LISTEN seem closely related. Thank you for your post!
I love how you surrounded “listen” with actions. Can we listen without an action taking place? Hmmm…I don’t think so. In order to fully listen we have to do something and I had not thought of that before.
I think you are right. I hadn’t thought of that either, but every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So let’s listen to provide positive action.
Love your poem and the pattern – listen, hear, find! Lots of wisdom in those three words. I agree with Leigh Anne’s observation that to fully listen, we have to do something. Being still is not a passive undertaking. The act of stilling the noise around us so that we can listen is an active undertaking.