Note: December is Word-of-the-Year Month at Christine’s Blog. As we roll into another New Year, each day will feature a new guest blogger who chose one word as a way of setting intention for her whole year. Today’s guest is Ruth Davis.
ASK
I perceive myself to be a capable, independent person. When I had emergency open heart surgery last year, it was pretty obvious that I had to ask others for help. But as I regained my strength and independence, I had the opportunity to continue practicing the idea of asking, realizing that, even in health and strength, I don’t always have the answers or abilities and that it is OK to be vulnerable, to ask others for support, money, ideas, companionship.
The bigger power of my word has been understanding that it is more important to love the questions. “…to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue.” Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet.
And what I am learning, I share with my clients: instead of banging around in our own heads trying to figure it all out, accept that maybe we don’t have the answers; to ask bigger questions, to focus on our deepest desires and just ask “how can I be that?” And then, instead of trying to figure it out or rush to a solution, to wait in the silence that is larger than ourselves for deep and true inspiration.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Very nice. In good health.
And then, instead of trying to figure it out or rush to a solution, to wait in the silence that is larger than ourselves for deep and true inspiration.
This last line moved me to tears. Yes.
(And you stated it so beautifully…)
Hi Ruth learning to ask is incredibly hard ! Well done for starting down that path. And I love that quote.
Asking CAN be difficult! It’s one I definitely struggle with – so hearing your experiences and success from this year are reminders to me – that it’s okay to “ask”. And that’s comforting…. Thank you, Ruth, very much for this today. And I wish you the best in the upcoming year.
Ruth,
This is beautiful. I can feel the stillness within which you allowed your questions. And it seems that asking from that deep place is a gift to the people who love us, as if they’ve been waiting on tip-toes to be needed by us. Thanks for this. I never would’ve thought of this word!! Cheers to your health!
Ruth what a great word. As we struggle to be self sufficient we begin to learn how much we need others…That’s not the difficult part though, the difficult part and the good part is learning to ask and being willing to accept the answer or the help…
Blessings to you and to your good health!
Chris
oh this is a word I kick at so much.
as much as I know in my head and heart that it’s okay to ask. That no one does everything on their own.
thank you for sharing your story-it was very inspiring.
Hi Ruth,
Marvelous post. I agree with Christi, your last line says it all. We rush in to fill some perceived void, making hasty short-term decisions that have long-term consequences. Thank you for reminding me to let the answer appear when it is ready. Have a healthy 2009!
Much thx. G.
It sounds as though you have been on a wonderful journey with your work ‘ask’. I love how a word can shift in it’s message and significance with time, thoughts and experience. I feel as though I am learning through your experience. Thank you.