Water Is Life…

Dear Circle of Hope,

Last Thursday I jumped into the waters of the Ballina 50m pool. It was the first time I had swum laps in 4 months, which is the longest stretch of time that I haven’t done so since I was at school. I have to say it was amazing! By the time I was halfway down the pool I was in heaven. At the same time, I was wondering why I had left it so long (I will talk about my new fitness fad of hotskipping another time). I think most of you might know by now that I Iove water. I have spoken about this in many of my reflections, talks and writings over the years. Water is one of my greatest and deepest connections with God. As a lap swimmer I am regularly immersed in water and for me this has become a spiritual practice. While I follow the line up and down the bottom of the pool, I imagine that I am being surrounded by God’s presence as I am immersed in the water. Immersion in water is nourishing, healing and life-giving for me.

During the darkest hours of my life, I continued to swim, shedding tears that blended in with the water that surrounded and held me, as I grieved the loss of relationship, love and life. Again, these experiences for me were a recognition that the Divine was with me, holding my tears as they blended with Divine tears that also wept in empathy with my life experience.

Jumping back into the water last week reminded me of the importance of engaging in activities that nourish me, heal me and bring me life. I wonder if you can identify the activities in your life that connect you deeply with the Divine and provide you with nourishment and healing. My learning in this past week has encouraged me to continue engaging in life in all its beauty and depth. For me this is where hope can be seen and enacted. As we engage fully in activities and practices that bring us connection, we become people who live out hope in our daily lives. In so doing, we do not wait for a future hope, but instead lean into hope in the present, even and especially in those moments in life that shake us. What can you do today that will bring your body, mind and spirit nourishment, healing and life?

Thank you for being part of our Circle of Hope.

Grace and peace,

Phil