Etymologically, companion is breaking and sharing bread (panis, pa, and pain) with one another as we come together (com). It is associated with being on a journey, meeting others on the path, and stopping to eat with one another.
Companion lends itself towards metaphor, taking us beyond the literal. Faith and cultural traditions have stories related to helping one another, showing compassion and companionship to others. The word compassion means to share the joys and sorrows fo one’s life with others. When we do this, we do so because we can relate to what someone else is experiencing e.g. the loss of loved one.
On this quest we call life, we can questioning what it means to live this life. How do I share it? I am reading Parker Palmer‘s On the Brink of Everything. Parker repeats this need to understand and share in, sometimes, unexpected ways. It is not a calculated process, which humans often can fall into. After all, to be human is to fall short. It is to do the proper thing and bring out the better angels in ourselves and others.
I tend to think a lot, but this is a time where I am thinking even more. What forms of leadership do we want moving forward? How do we bring some harmony to a world often divided? How do we engage in meaningful dialogue to listen with open hearts to others who have much different experiences?
Arise,
This morning.
Tentatively step into the unknowable,
Discerning one’s voice afresh,
Discovering one’s purpose anew.
Asking,
What nourishes, waters, and heals one’s soul?
Who walks with us?
Who joins us?
Who shares the journey?
Who breaks bread with us?
How do we find refuge in one another?
As we pause and share the path,
Never quite able to step into the other’s steps.
Take care,
In one’s questing,
Speak mindfully, heartfully, graciously
Hear mindfully, heartfully, graciously
Your self and others encountered.
I took this picture in Waterton Lakes National Park. When I hike, nature reminds me to sense how much is closer at hand than I realize. What don’t I see? What don’t I hear? The coronovirus gives me time to reflect and question my priorities. What do I value? Am I true to my values? There are things and people who remain invisible and unheard, yet may be closer at hand than I realize. How do I become a companion and share in their journey without imposing?
Teacher as Transformer 
A very beautiful and peaceful view, so sunny too. Nature is independant.
Amitiés, bonne semaine 🙂
Thank you France. Yes, nature just is. Amities et bonne semaine.
A thoughtful and reflective post, Ivon. The poem resonated, too. Thank you for inviting us to live the questions. So very important as we all sit together in this liminal space.
Thank you Carrie. I am glad it resonated. Questions are the best place to live when we allow them to be spacious and not filled with too many answers. We can just sit and wait for responses, hoping for new questions.
Very well said, Ivon. I completely agree.
Thank you Carrie,
Love this !
Thank you Earthwalker.
we posted similar photos of forests … one in Waterton Lakes National Park and one at the Viennese Forest in Europe … isn’t that wonderful?
There are so many wonderful mountain scapes around the world. One of the beauties of Waterton is that it is not too overrun with people. Banff, which is just to the north, is so close to Calgary it gets way more people.
I have to smile as I think of you pondering all those questions. We indeed have been set down right now with time to discover what is really important in our lives.
I agree Bev. I try not to worry too much about answers. As the poet Rilke said, “we can live into the answers.”
You always make me think; i would say that the meaning of life is what we give it–but that idea seems to be missing something, too. Great post.
Thank you Michael. I find I come up short trying to answer those big questions. The beauty of that is it leaves room for mystery.
Excellent questions to ponder.
Thank you Emilie. Take care and stay well.
No small questions you’re asking! Well considered in this time of flux and possibilities.
Thank you Bela. Too live into the answers, they should come from big questions to paraphrase Rilke who wrote about uncertainty in life.
Lovely reflection, poem and image Ivon. Lots to ponder in this times of change. Thanks.
You are welcome and thank you Bruce.