The Howard Thurman Walk
I started this July the 4th morning with a walk. A join virtual walk. My Contemplative Justice group yesterday decided to walk together wherever we were at eight o’clock this morning. We’ve been reading the work of the mystic Howard Thurman, whose original entry to God was leaning against the trunk of an oak. This morning, we would do our own Howard Thurman walk into an awareness of God.
As I headed out—my first walk since winding up in the ER with a hurt back from digging in this hardpan dirt of the Mississippi Gulf Coast; no, it’s not sand; it’s clay that bakes—I passed my yard. The small still voice of God said, Stay. Explore your own wonderful crepe myrtles and live oak and hunt for blackberries along your fence. I did not listen. I thought, I’m supposed to walk. I’ll catch it on the way back.
Which I did.
Which says to me, don’t beat yourself up over failures. Admit them, gain insight from them. See that they, too, are part of the dance we weave living life. Where the insight comes not from the Howard Thurman walk at all. But sitting in my chair afterwards where I see the black eye of the bluejay and wonder, how I can hate on that bird just because God made him squawky loud and I was made quiet? What happens if over time I become squawky loud? Do I then appreciate it just because it’s me? The opportunity is here, today, to love that bird now.
Happy 4th of July, y’all.
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Jenks E. McCrory
Lovely, Ellen. Thanks for sharing.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
You are welcome! I hope you are doing well. Miss seeing you.
Joe Hawes
Howard Thurman, not only a mystic but the man who inspired and mentored Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. And who, following Ghandi, articulated the theory of non violence. Ghandi developed his theory while living in South Africa and experiencing first hand, the reality of Apartheid. So, as you suggest, Thurman is a prophet in his own right and, as you point out, more than a prophet of non violence. I liked your take on walking, especially the part a bout paying close attention to your own surroundings, even to raucous bluejays. Like mammals. birds exist in many varieties. I especially like blue Jays b/c they let you know they are around and they are almost always very active. I enjoyed this meditation and took from it a wider view of Thurman’s theology. Thanks
Ellen Morris Prewitt
You like blue jays! I have really interrogated why I don’t like them. I’m not sure I’ve landed on a good answer, other than the squawking and them being so prevalent. Now, why is that a reason to not like an entire species of bird?
Joanne Corey
It’s true that blue jays are squawky loud and you are not, but they are also colorful and sport bold patterns, which I notice in the photos you post from time to time. Maybe, that is an avenue into jay-love, squawks aside.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
As I looked at that jay through my binoculars, I thought, how on earth have you so readily dismissed these birds? I was really convicted by it. Thank you for the connection to their “bold patterns.” I love it!