Flowing with Purpose: Embracing Harmony on 2/24/24
Hey Ya’ll:
It is officially my birthday week and I celebrate all month long and especially this week. My birthday this year is 2/24/24. Reflecting on the unique symbolism of 24 - it's a rare occurrence that signifies alignment, creativity, harmony, and balance across cultures and time. It is unique and treasured that the day and year align in such a special way.
As I reflected on this, I thought about a meditation from one of my favorite theologians/poet/advocate/artist/pastor/writer Dr Howard Thurman. He created a reflection on being a canal, reservoir, or swamp. As I look toward 2/24/24 and beyond it reminds me of how I want to continue to flow with my purpose.
Canal
Thurman shares that the canal channels water and helps with direct and orderly movement, Canals make connections. My life has resonated with canals, I have always enjoyed making connections with others. Thurman says that as canals we are connecting links between other people, movements, purposes. They make the network by which all kinds of communications are possible. Anyone that knows me, can identify with this. My prayer is that when I am a canal, I am making life giving connections and blessings.
Reservoir
A reservoir is a large natural or artificial lake where water is stored for various purposes like drinking, irrigation, or generating electricity. It holds and provides resources when needed. Reservoirs are often tapped into and given. I am definitely a reservoir. I understand that I am to use the gifts, talents and passions that have been poured into me. But at the same time, reservoirs need balance. If I pour out everything and don’t take time to recharge my spirit, revive my body and renew my soul … I will be empty. My prayer is that as a reservoir, I keep Thurman’s question as a reminder - Have I Developed a method for keeping my inlet and my outlet in good working order so that the cup which you give is never empty?”
Swamp
“A swamp is a place where living things often sicken and die. The water in a swamp has no outlet.” Thurman’s definition of a swamp reminds me that all of us have swamp moments. It happens when we hoard and hold everything. We were literally not created physically, spiritually or emotionally to hold everything. When we hoard and gatekeeper, it stores up and becomes stagnant. Nothing lives, a constipation of the worst kind. Don’t be a swamp. That’s the prayer .. Lord, I don’t wanna be a swamp.
My prayer is that my life will continue to flow with my divine purpose and I pray the same for each of you.
“Lord, When I flow like a canal, my prayer is that I will always be making life giving and aligned connections.
Lord, When I am flowing like a reservoir, remind me to keep my inlet (what I receive) and my outlet (what I pour out) in good working order. I don’t want to be depleted and I don’t want to be a swamp.
Lord, I don’t wanna be a swamp. Period.