Essentially I hope to gather wisdom, to become a sage, a wise woman. I know that I am on this path, and I know this because I have had to find meaning from a great struggle. The pain, grief and sadness that runs so deep, still resides in my body and has a lot to teach. If we as people can slow down to listen to this pain, rid ourselves of worldly actions and beliefs, as well as change our priorities from selfish acts to those that can truly better the world, I believe we will find a purpose so great it will overwhelm our spirit and bring us endless joy.

I can say now that my life is changing. I planted the seeds to follow a spiritual path and embark on a divine journey into myself and out into the world. These seeds have grown, budded from the earth, and are now developing a root structure strong enough to assure me they will live. Most importantly, I will live, I will awaken and feel strong and able to give and receive in a world where I will find love, acceptance, joy and peace.

In my days of darkness, and severe struggle, I was laying out the blueprint and DNA of my seedlings. In this DNA is a recipe for success, if I nourish and feed and water my young spiritual journey. I will not fail because I have waited for too long. I have been practicing and disciplining myself to nourish and care for this plant. I not only fostered the DNA of struggle, planted the seeds of hope, but have also put endless effort into practicing the things I need to do to strive for and live a spiritual, healthy and happy life. I have come too far and I will not let any harm come to my little plants before they flower, and I pray I will stay on a nourishing path long enough for them to become young trees, and by then have so much support and such a strong inner relationship with the source that I will be able to grow into a grandmother tree and help many more plant the seeds of their lives.

I am grateful for this journey, where I have been and where I am going, and hope that hope will continue to blossom in my heart. There will still be struggles, but that will only cause me to push out more branches and develop stronger roots and a softer more elegant bark. Thank you Lord for all of your blessings and may you guide and watch over me on this path as I reach for the sun and drink in the rain.

Amen.