Letter from Cressida Pryor
January 31, 2021

Dear Friends,

Hoping and praying that you and your loved ones are safe and well in these most challenging times...

Recently I have found myself wishing time away; to get beyond the ‘peak’ of infection and high daily death toll and have it behind us rather than part of our current reality...this projection into the ‘better’ future goes against so many of my deepest beliefs to honour every present moment and encounter as a unique blessing and opportunity. Finding Her hand amongst the kindness and hard work of so many...

One acronym I have come across to help tease out the qualities of what it is to be present is CALM...the C standing for being curious.

Curiosity is an openness to venture out and encounter the unknown...to do this we need enough trust in current safety to reach beyond, to explore... moving into new territory. To grow and learn...and be full of wonder. All of this, of course, with the safety of other’s health and our own in mind.

So who are our exemplars of curiosity when we feel stuck in the fear of what might be?

I have learned to take instruction from the wise ones...

I notice young children walking home with their parents from playgroup, crouching down to inspect a patch of weeds, the scrunched up empty drinks can in the gutter, the snail hidden beneath the stones...small fingers pushing at the slime, exploring and curious...enjoying the wonder of the new...

We can learn curiosity and presence from these little ones...

Noticing the daffodil spikes several inches above ground, white and green snowdrops bobbing in the breeze and hearing crow’s loud caws surveying their territory for possible nest sites.

The stirrings of Spring are here.

Are we present enough now to enjoy and be energised by it? Energised to do your unique work the world needs right now...? Being curious and excited by the new possibilities of this unique turning point?

Blessed Divine Mother hold us in your secure base of love;
That we may explore the beauty of this world
With sensitivity to the Earth’s hallowed ground
That is everywhere.
So we are part of this new unfurling future
As we reach out in fellowship for the good of all,
So may it be. Blessed Be. Amen.

Cressida
FOI Steward