New Beginnings

Last evening we hosted a reception at Gravity for close friends and family. As you know this is a tender time in our lives. Bringing a close to the past 20 years of leading WMF does not happen quickly; it’s a process, a season of transition marked with the grief that comes in closing a chapter of life and the joy and anticipation of new beginnings. This week I find myself pensive, sober and reflective.

As Chris and I adjust to new space, new desks, new filing systems and new digital interfaces, the dust is settling. And beneath the dust I find memories of life poured out not just for a mission or a community but for people, for individuals, for friends. Closure and transition causes my heart to break a little and tears bubble through the cracks.

It’s been said, “To get something we must give something up.” To make room for the life and energy of this new chapter in life, I have to let go of what has been. But it’s not easy to let go of what is known to journey into the unknown. I know who and what’s been there, behind me in the past; I know not who and what will be there before me in this new future. And so I grieve what and who I’m losing and have lost along the way.

And when fear wants to rear its itty bitty head, I remember the words of Marianne Williamson,

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

And so, last night as Chris and I gathered with dear people in Omaha who share this part of the journey with us, and as the tears bubbled through the cracks, I found my heart expanding with gratitude. Gratitude for what has been, what is and what’s coming. Gratitude for the gifts of fellow pilgrims in this part of the journey—old, faithful pilgrims and the new ones who find space in the void of those whose journeys don’t take this turn with us. Gratitude for the opportunity to live and breathe and attempt to do good in the world.

May none of us play small but instead embrace our light and liberation, so we can be a part of the creative work of the Great Spirit in our broken but hope-filled world.

Gravity is being founded to help folks do just that.