Most of us live in such a cluttered, noisy, contentious, and desperate state that we become tone-deaf to the inner rhythms and whisperings of our soul. That constant clutter slowly transforms us into analytic robots—calculating, efficient, but disconnected.
In my personal life—and might I suggest you consider in yours—I have found that it is not until I accept, embrace, and live fully present in the difficult things—the struggles, the hurts, the disappointments, and yes, even allowing myself the grace to shed tears—that I am able to truly embrace the good. It is only then that the laughter of a child, the fragile flight of a butterfly, or the breathtaking glory of a sunset pierces me with joy.
As most of you know, one of the greatest thought leaders of our time, who writes with depth and sincerity, is Parker Palmer. At one of the lowest points of my life, his words shifted my perspective in a dramatic way:
“The deeper our faith, the more doubt we must endure.
The deeper our hope, the more prone we are to despair.
The deeper our love, the more pain its loss will bring.
These are a few of the paradoxes we must hold as human beings.
If we refuse to hold them in hopes of living without doubt, despair, and pain,
we also find ourselves living without faith, hope, and love.”
—Parker Palmer
In our sanitized, watered-down Western culture, many sacred rites of passage and deep-bonding symbols have been stripped away. We’ve lost the support structures that once gave us safety nets—not only for ourselves, but for our children and our communities.
In their absence, we must choose to create our own practices. Practices that re-sensitize us to both the beauty and the harshness of life.
I’ve extended this invitation before, but it feels right to do so again: Find time each day for solitude and reflection. Go to your sanctuary, wherever it may be, and listen—not to the noise of media or the posturing of “leaders” who may be more lost than you—but to the quiet wisdom inside you.
From that inner voice comes peace, guidance, and clarity. From that wisdom, we are equipped to support and love those closest to us.
I invite you to walk with me in courage and confidence.
—Rich
(P.S. I’d love to hear what helps you quiet the noise and reconnect with your inner voice. Simply reply and share your thoughts.)
In this short video reflection, I share how Palmer’s words helped me find peace during one of life’s hardest seasons. His message has become a guidepost in how I live — and I believe it can do the same for you.
