Showing posts with label Spiritual Journey Thursday 2026. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual Journey Thursday 2026. Show all posts

Friday, September 4, 2026

Recalibrating Life Rhythms

Life takes me on a new road now as I have wished for a year-and-half since my husband passed away suddenly. During this time in which grief overtook my life, I have been out-of-rhythm with clutter all around me. Overwhelming thoughts and things-to-do followed me each day. Family and friends bolstered me as I searched for the slowdown moments and ways to restore my soul and revive my heart. Recently, I found the turning point that led me to a new road. 

It started in August with the family vacation back to Long Island and then on to Cape May. The beach environment provided time to calm down while watching the glistening waves rolling into shore. Nature's sparkles and the sun's warmth provided memories from years of summertime moments at the ocean.

Then,. on August 27, 2026, my husband's ashes were interred into a beautiful, peaceful place of rest, the columbarium niche in Arlington National Cemetery. The grounds, military chaplain, interment specialist, and the precise rhythm of diligent soldiers offered a tranquil setting. This memorable event opened my heart to a new chapter of life. For eight days since then, I have felt the spirit of hope allowing me to rest in the ocean of God's infinite love. Richard's journey has come to rest also with a serene spiritual closure.

A Life of Journeys
he brought me to seas
cuddled me in ocean waves
wrapped me in sunsets
💗
we walked the shores of life
throughout the seasons
met challenges, celebrated what was
💗
until his lifelong journey
suddenly stopped    grief entered
faith guided me
💗
he now rests with God
in pure peace for evermore 
I rest with pure faith
💗
I feel our bonds
across the ocean waves
in God I trust
draft CVarsalona, 2026

This month has reminded me that life does not have to be out-of-rhythm. September days bring a celebration of life for my adult children's and cousin's birthdays. The escalating heat of summer will transition into the cool breath of Autumn days. With hope in my heart, Nature's rhythms will ground me on my spiritual journey. I know that time will flitter on like a butterfly moving within from flower to flower in our garden.  Instead of worrying about lost time, I shall appreciate each day in a slow-down approach to life. Will this new rhythm bring me a continual, gentle peace? I hope so but in the real world of life, I know that there will be roadblocks on the journey. It's time to reclaim the rhythm of life!

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Spiritual Journey 2026
Logo: Margaret Simon and Photo: Molly Hogan

This month, a dear friend, book lover, and writer, Ramona Behnke, is hosting the community's Spiritual Journey Thursday . Her beautiful post shares a book, The Sacred Pulse, Holy Rhythms for Overwhelmed Souls by April Fiet. I eagerly found the introduction online and dug into its thoughts. This is a must-read book for me. Thank you, Ramona.. Click here to read Ramona's post and find other sojourners ' posts.
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Poetry Friday
Ocean on a Calm Moment (CVarsalona)

The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by the creative poet and author, Patricia J. Franz. Her post, Summer Wanes, is a beautiful combination of Emily Dickinson's poem, Forever, and Patricia's Summer Ends' poem. Click here to read Patricia's and other poet's posts.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

This Spring Morning, I Pause and Reflect

Fellow Spiritual Journey Friends,

On this spring morning, I know it is the moment to "Make Time", to pause and reflect on my spiritual journey. There is one word that has guided me since the beginning of 2026. 

Digital Collage for Opening Blog

Since New Year 2026, I travel the spiritual journey path with thoughts on my one word, restore, and a song, Restore My Soul, that reminds me to find my way. 

Seasons of Restoration
one word floats
like snowflakes'
rhythmic flight
                                         WINTER FLIGHT 
chilled winds blow
earth freezes
tears hold grief
                                      BEREAVEMENT
awaken
from winter's
loneliness
                                  TRANSITION
spring's bounty
revives life
in chaos
                                          GRIEF COUNSELING BEGINS
despite rain
hope opens
new fountains
                                 MID-SPRING
music soothes
lifts grief's weight
sings with birds
                                        SPRINGTIME WISH
hope swirls while
gardens bloom
life brightens
                                        MAY REFRESMENT
grace, peace, and 
memories
opens paths
                              MAY DAYS
summer wish
make time to
reflect, pause
                                        SUMMER BREEZES APPEAR
lead me on
find new paths
summer smiles
                           ONWARD 
©CVarsalona, May 2026, tricube sequence

Click here to listen to the song "Garden of Grace".

For a year, I passed through seasons of change. I listened to earth's movements, managed the walk (even after I fractured my foot last October), broke down as tensions stormed through life, grieved, held on to faith, and prayed in silence, noting that changes needed to unfold.

Where am I now?
I am ready to mingle, not be frightened by grief, and continue my spiritual journey. There is more to come, I am sure but for now, I feel the power of faith while holding on to hope.


Spiritual Journey 2026
Logo: Margaret Simon and Photo: Molly Hogan
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For those who walk with me on the Spiritual Journey, I am thankful. Our small community is filled with faithful companions and friends who believe in the spirit of life. I send wishes for a wonderful weekend. - Carol, June 2026 Spiritual Journey Host

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Strength Needed

During my lifetime, several challenges interrupt life's balance. These occurrences take their toll on my mind, body, and spirit in different ways. Reflecting on these moments leads me to ask a series of questions.

What troubles me now? 

My past traumatic events lessened my physical strength. My husband's passing cluttered my mind and brought sorrow into my soul. I felt like I was drowning in grief.

What do I do to find comfort? 

I turn to my faith with hope in my heart. My family, close friends, and long-distance writing communities support me. 

How do I manage the grief that brings exhaustion, nightmares, and anxiety? 

Faith and hope intervene because I am in need.. I turn to scripture, The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation." (Psalm 118-14) I listen to faith-filled music, such is a new collection I found, "Songs for Comfort".

How do I build strength so I can restore my body, mind, and spirit?

I am eagerly trying to build strength through physical therapy for a fractured ankle. Nine months after my husband passed, I decided to engage in bereavement counseling. The communication between the bereavement counselor and me is one of comfort and determination to minimize grief. This is my self-help for building spiritual and emotional strength. Positivity and optimism strengthen my mind.

Each day, I wake to the song, Restore My Soul, that brings my one word into the light of day. I begin the journey to total wellness of the mind, body, and spirit. There is never a full day of strength building, but I am determined to walk the road to restoration and renewal.

I am thankful for the inspiration that comes through reading. It provides me time to pause and look out the window at nature's sunset, lighting the gray sky. Building strength is one day at a time.

Kahlil Gibran stated: “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." 

I have felt the scars of sorrow, but I must walk the spiritual journey to navigate reality. I am ready!

Strength's Journey

strength resides
inside hearts
filled with faith

inside minds
yearning for
renewal

inside me
waiting to
release grief
(c) CVarsalona, 2026

Thank you to those who understand.

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I am grateful for the following writing communities

Leigh Anne Eck

host of today's Spiritual Journey

illuminated my thoughts on her topic strength.  Please join me as I share my thoughts with  Leigh Anne and my colleagues of Spiritual Journey Thursday Community.

Click here.




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 12th year with Two Writing Teachers


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Poetry Friday 2026 hosted by author and poet, 
She is using a line from Arthur Sze's poem Residence on Earth to create an original poem, "One Way to Live". Click here to read Karen's poem and other blog posts.
created by Margaret Simon