Note from Louisa
We build on foundations we did not lay
We warm ourselves by fires we did not light
We sit in the shade of trees we did not plant
We drink from wells we did not dig
We profit from persons we did not know
This is as it should be.
Together we are more than any one person could be.
Together we can build across the generations.
Together we can renew our hope and faith in the life that is yet to unfold.
Together we can heed the call to a ministry of care and justice.
We are ever bound in community.
May it always be so.
-Rev. Peter Raible
Though we know from our practice that expressing gratitude should be the endeavor of each day, it seems that we have communally landed on this time of year as a time of acknowledgment and appreciation.
To that end, I would like to take a chance to recognize the many people who come together to create and sustain our CML community, something I feel I don’t do nearly enough.
I have been so grateful for the enduring quality of our community, perhaps even more so now that we can no longer meet in person - grateful for the daily sits, the study group, the opportunities to share wisdom with one another, and “to walk one another home”.
I realize how few times I stop to recognize all the work that goes into building and sustaining the wonderful community that we are all co-creating together. Sometimes, in the busyness of doing the work, we forget to stop and marvel at the fact that the work is getting done.
My deepest thanks go out to my colleague, Laura Crosby who, along with fellow facilitators, Dan Weidner, Aaron Weiner, and Katie Hupp, holds the space that allow our practice to be regular and sustained in these challenging days. Laura also facilitates the study group, which for years now, has made contemporary writings and teachings accessible to our community for discussion and growth.
Our online community is further supported by the efforts of Katie Hupp and Kim Vogel who facilitate the Sunday Third Space gathering that we began at the outset of the pandemic. They generously stepped in and picked up the mantle to make sure that community was additionally supported in this virtual space.
I also want to recognize Christina Ramon, who works behind the scenes as our marketing and social media Goddess, bringing you this newsletter every month, and helping us keep the CML community connected.
Of course, the heart of CML began as a therapeutic space and we are so blessed to have the talents of our compassionate clinicians, Pamela Mueggenberg, Nanci Nilles, and Kara Cavel to help ease the suffering of those who seek support and understanding. Each of these women embodies the essence of learning, wisdom, and tenderness, and I learn from them every day.
Thank you to Alma and Mireya, who keep our space so immaculate for us, and to Blake who makes sure that we don’t trip and break something of import on the ice.
On behalf of all of us at CML, I want to acknowledge all of our teachers and guides, who have shown us the path, and gently redirected us when we’ve stray or gotten distracted. We are also grateful to our families and loved ones, who have helped to shape and support us as we become more and more ourselves.
Mostly, I want to thank you, Beloved Member of the CML community.
Thank you for making our community vibrant and alive with your presence and curiosity about yourself and the world. Thank you for keeping the meditation cushions warm, coming to yoga class or study group, or loving yourself enough to learn about self-compassion. Thank you for being so courageous in walking the path with us. Thank you for reading this newsletter.
And thank you for all of your support of our efforts, and for your willingness to share of yourself and your wisdom to help make our space, and our world, a better place.
Gratitude and Blessings on your journey,
Louisa
