Holy Rhythm

It’s been awhile since I’ve written to you, which at first had me a little worried.

Aren’t Substack posts supposed to be frequent, regular and predictably timed? Having established a rhythm, aren’t we supposed to keep up the pace? What if the pace changes? What if I never post again?

The ego imposes so many regulations on creative effort, providing helpful structure on the one hand, yet often overriding the deeper needs of the soul.

We know, intuitively, that Life requires light and dark, presence and absence, activity and rest…with so many gradations in between. And yet (speaking for myself) the desire for steady progress and accomplishment often leads me to prioritize bright productivity at the expense of quieter, less impressive times.

This song honours both states of being, in a simple way. It’s a new hymn, arising directly out of my Unitarian Universalist ministry context, written to honour a respected colleague who is now moving into a new season of life and career. At the same time, my husband retired and we now find ourselves haltingly trying to establish a new rhythm of life that works well for us.

As I try to remind myself: when I’m feeling out-of-step with some supposed optimum pace I have in mind, Life holds everything in a Wholeness that includes pause, silence and absence. The word ‘holy’ is derived from words for ‘whole’ and ‘complete.’ When I relax into the Wholeness Of What Is, I notice beauty where it’s often least expected (such as the daylilies on my walk yesterday, above).

The video for the song “Holy Rhythm” also included, completely unexpectedly, honourings of rhythms. First of all, I couldn’t get the lighting “right” (because of the bright sunlight outside) so I appear more in shadow than I intended. This might be considered a technical flaw in production…yet I think there’s meaning in it. Also, I didn’t notice until later that the two windows provide a rhythmic balance of their own, and a “holding” frame of stability and balance.

Wishing all of you meaning, joy and beauty…in whatever way the rhythm of your life is unfolding today.

Every life is made / of endings and beginnings / Every wave arising / falling back in time/ As we’re not afraid of brightening and dimming / we behold the seasons of our lives…

In the holy rhythm of this life / in the holy rhythm of this life / in the holy rhythm of this life / Holy rhythm, hold me / holy rhythm…

All the time we take entering and leaving / welcoming the morning, honouring the night / we may know the grace of giving and receiving / shaping every season of our lives…

Repeat chorus.

Songwriting as Soul Work: Songs and the Inner Life available now!

“An inspiring book filled with short impactful stories about tapping in to creativity” - Arlene Bishop, performing songwriter

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