[Sundaycommunity] Fwd: Radical Optimism

Fri Mar 1 08:10:52 PST 2024

This is so important. Catherine

 “We are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to
recover is our original unity. *What we have to be is what we are.”*
Thomas Merton

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Joyce Rupp <ruppjoyce-gmail.com at shared1.ccsend.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 11:02 AM
Subject: Radical Optimism
To: <catherine.walther at gmail.com>

March 2024 Newsletter

March 2024 Newsletter

More often than not, I want to avoid national and global news these days.
Awareness of how wretchedly humans treat one another often leads to shoving
out hope, leaving a limp prospect of altering unjust and harsh situations.
I’m not alone in this increasing discouragement.  But then, along comes a
movement of grace—my rediscovery of Beatrice Bruteau’s Radical Optimism.
This book, first published in 1993, was relevant for the world’s pain then,
and is even more so now. I opened to read this wisdom on page 3:

“The more troubled the world becomes, the more important it becomes to be
optimistic. And the more deeply we need to root our optimism. When we
cannot reasonably base it on the way things are going, we know we have to
base it in the ultimate reality of God. We know it has to be radical.
...Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said that we will not make the effort that is
necessary to move us to...the world of global peace and friendship and
prosperity, unless we believe it has a very good chance of succeeding.
...Visions of utopias have a place in our thoughts and in our efforts
because they activate the ideas and the desires that move us in those
directions.”

Not long ago someone commented, “No matter who wins the next presidential
race, there’s going to be violence.” What if our imagination, our
positivity, suggested otherwise: “There will be a peaceful passing into the
next presidency.” Or “Hatred and violence can be left behind.” Think of
people in the past up against impossible odds on making crucial changes:
women gaining the right to vote, the Berlin Wall coming down, the Civil
Rights Movement significantly affecting the life of Black persons. People
believed it could happen. It did.

After insisting on the need for optimism, Bruteau suggests that
contemplation offers a central way to develop and retain optimism. This
form of reflection focuses on our inner world, “a deeper place with surer
values and a more authentic selfhood.” When we pause to pray, meditate, and
send forth love into the world, it may seem as if nothing is being changed.
But not only religious beliefs assure us that our prayers have an effect.
Studies of the brain show that what goes forth from our minds and hearts
influences the outcome. Brain waves move outward, carried into the larger
world where they connect to other brain waves and influence them. The
vibrations of our prayerful hearts do the same.

Radical optimism differs from magic or an egoism that believes something
can be forced to happen just because it’s willed. Optimism moves toward the
good and takes action toward consequences favoring the welfare of all
beings. Optimism knows big changes take patience and trust. Long ago I read
a quote of Clarissa Pinkola Estes that reminds me of our reliance on one
another if we are to retain optimism amid what seems certain defeat:

My friends, do not lose heart.. …One of the most calming and powerful
actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show
your soul. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds
signal fires…causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of
soul in shadowy times like these—to be fierce and to show mercy toward
others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity...
Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing
to show it.

Let’s keep shining the lantern of our radical optimism as best we can.

Abundant peace,

Joyce Rupp

P.S. Scroll down to find a reflection of mine, related to Lent.

My website
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaDPuCFiJuUC4xZIoLVqCC1Ab7aampycXoTHEHhlUcLPR20Ied_2wcX-MMloymphA8TxYHgETPQORZNaMa0y70-o=&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
now
has a happy facelift, making it easier to navigate through the pages and
find what you’re looking for. Hope you’ll visit the site to take a look.
New items have been added.

Thanks to Kathy Coffey, author of A Generous Lap: A Spirituality of
Grandparenting
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaIWlorueesa4ym7AdxBY83L-mYih1Jcp3-T6kME70zIE2OHVW13IEPpdo9h_xjQwTH_Tm3AvUNH2P-9SAhWOIFEvYXKTD8EiYO2745bmaK8gyFBltzvY00jVO8iUog93iR3GLHnMktBmKHdpnk_xPk-hVbbAddFIPEJm4JLzaNkvRlt3_6BBIuI=&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>,
for a great review of Jesus, Guide of My Life. Scroll down the page to find
"
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaFIsUlKpE8ePt_84grTpmzxoJ5LoY1NT3DOBMoAuara6047uXIP3WSbEVEMJjQQwNGzwzmmy3RFsgjjdM3EG-BTU8JGNfovZzg==&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>A
Guide On Several Levels."
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaFIsUlKpE8ePt_84grTpmzxoJ5LoY1NT3DOBMoAuara6047uXIP3WSbEVEMJjQQwNGzwzmmy3RFsgjjdM3EG-BTU8JGNfovZzg==&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>

New Podcasts

Heidi Schlumpf of The Francis Effect
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaIWlorueesa4y1rW3sxGcHK12tLC_QVC7Y-f-Ysbs4KeQr2AemzwrYn-Vvpfz_34x5G49bIJMIFmX7xIrTuZKAojfo7udhpFWDl8KgA7j0RIlPpjuUqdIr4=&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>interviews
Joyce.

(scroll down to “Segment 3” on the page)

Pam Robertson of Talking Joy has a conversation with Joyce: “Finding Your
Center”
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaIWlorueesa4R3XFF62FLZSjuT85Uzsbvww_TlxDnlzT5MerFjfg19FHjRVvQot9DjnV5U206ztwKM3R_FhDrjT51IRbcIwloo8Q1RseT29I1WJwhPQtVW25tHctOvYiMWgMdFvH2H1I6QqOJJPs3j6PYijyKA9d07ErzmceLDSzI2_eQ1kwSAJjZJkJjuRpI_qNw1wpBw1VwBERPVUPfKzJxEtTvwqWlR8RkLckZvdjiuiJY_S77I2V7pIGZn1SnTxruDhq4wN-9t3ILIt5tn5hdtj6_ml_z7--4KGbk01UTBFYeb-12KK5tAuB6gYuuFHv18PM1obC&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>

Beyond the Habit
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaIWlorueesa41LWkwwn11jJo_WH2EsLOA8IUepxLjCiAsBBiK_wlMKT9TtQAvjIWss5GXplWewpU-ny4OhbuBU_FT11pghjF20OVdsdVi9KEfovUov3Aqc9fiL23j69b0BlFKPePCi_VR-LosWmepptkGdvzVgqgWWWsCt2MrYy5&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
Sisters
Erin and Colleen interview Joyce about topics such as prayer and
self-compassion. "February 13, Boundless Compassion."
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaIWlorueesa41LWkwwn11jJo_WH2EsLOA8IUepxLjCiAsBBiK_wlMKT9TtQAvjIWss5GXplWewpU-ny4OhbuBU_FT11pghjF20OVdsdVi9KEfovUov3Aqc9fiL23j69b0BlFKPePCi_VR-LosWmepptkGdvzVgqgWWWsCt2MrYy5&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>

“The Lost Lamb”

 (Joyce Rupp)

Guardian of My Heart,

so much in me gets lost.

I run off in other directions

and lose my vision of you,

and of your realm of love.

I lose sight of my hopes,

I forget all your promises.

I get lost in problems,

run around in selfishness.

there you are, before me

waiting, calling.

there you are, behind me,

following, pursuing.

there you are, beside me,

caring, loving.

what is it you’ve placed

in this heart of mine?

what is it that keeps me bonded to you

in spite of all my arrogance,

in spite of all my independence?

I feel a new surge today,

a re-visioning of hope.

I feel as if you’ve lifted me up

and are carrying me home,

safe and secure on your shoulders,

or maybe next to your heart.

O Guardian of lost sheep,

appeal again and again

to all the lost-ness in me.

pursue me relentlessly.

carry me home. O, carry me home.

(from Fresh Bread, slightly adapted)

Monthly eNewsletter

If you know of others who would like to receive this free newsletter, they
can register on the homepage of my website
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaB2PSsmlpvZUxBeGKlqM9Ws5IcRvokjEu_5MVyM1H7mGy1JCtqOyrqDn-mPR9doB9nUgoSARLxKZBgFfcig_y3OIKc-Ov5vdXA==&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
.

Events Related to Boundless Compassion are now posted on
www.boundlesscompassion.org
Reviews
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaB2PSsmlpvZUduIa9YflWFFptn4spvTbOwQ2ZRFTtPSugOGwQnh35OMWm9552bgLYDYgZGWrQkJWV2abTKlsnIQw926dAG_3xDGfryvLFFdL&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
Books
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaB2PSsmlpvZUJklU9I3O11x1abtylRjq0zWG_-cUTaaUeWlUdgGLPg1Ow_M947MZ9BA_2wxpatobrH7If_evjMDqFnI_wbtrpD57bTZD0Zhg&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
www.joycerupp.com
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaB2PSsmlpvZUxBeGKlqM9Ws5IcRvokjEu_5MVyM1H7mGy1JCtqOyrqDn-mPR9doB9nUgoSARLxKZBgFfcig_y3OIKc-Ov5vdXA==&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
Servants of Mary / Joyce Rupp | 1165 Office Park Rd.
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/1165+Office+Park+Rd.+,++%23+308+,++West+Des+Moines,+IA+50265?entry=gmail&source=g>,
# 308
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/1165+Office+Park+Rd.+,++%23+308+,++West+Des+Moines,+IA+50265?entry=gmail&source=g>,
West Des Moines, IA 50265
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/1165+Office+Park+Rd.+,++%23+308+,++West+Des+Moines,+IA+50265?entry=gmail&source=g>
Unsubscribe catherine.walther at gmail.com
<https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001eVHwxnEzhwREXYNn7BrvbQ%3D&ch=3a874ff4-c894-11eb-bf78-fa163e78e228&ca=1b9dbe9e-37d9-474a-9e01-68522c02faba>
Update Profile
<https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=001eVHwxnEzhwREXYNn7BrvbQ%3D&ch=3a874ff4-c894-11eb-bf78-fa163e78e228&ca=1b9dbe9e-37d9-474a-9e01-68522c02faba>
| Constant Contact Data Notice
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaOeLFvq_2jEEsnqfK02JCoUCK7TpLw-BhRwJAju8-Syt-hRzBpDB05m2QIT5hcRDy54MwGBVtcRHW6XjWKVnKT_M4iKDiDnp89CGFFQdOo7MfU11XuqnnHJ6z7Pc52BZVosCOPzo65O50sjTCjSDyRE=&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
Sent by ruppjoyce at gmail.com powered by
[image: Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.]
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaLye9EydPnG9VSVKzxHkz-fMCgg75ra5et3zOq-tkhaocoOVvX32O12Y-WibAT8HEoE98d3SP3wNk7m4dKeSwnkCQvxbfE9p6NSVIBDUTs0fsKr3reKbEjuoBaw1XTvr288HKFNSnogYHjUKWIXDJXE=&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
Try email marketing for free today!
<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mSbPwyiuH_W9BGk2P32xmS16TdAB7bq62RrxNvbnKy1IXuilRDHTaLye9EydPnG9VSVKzxHkz-fMCgg75ra5et3zOq-tkhaocoOVvX32O12Y-WibAT8HEoE98d3SP3wNk7m4dKeSwnkCQvxbfE9p6NSVIBDUTs0fsKr3reKbEjuoBaw1XTvr288HKFNSnogYHjUKWIXDJXE=&c=tNhm5PUb77txWuR31E2-RYIUhEmIsTm1ZMTTfqwrR_S_5phoUH85rQ==&ch=HrcZxZc5lUhrvpKSbRlDqE-JV21Y4UVFBO6POqXY27fELIrf5LnU_A==>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.integralshift.ca/pipermail/sundaycommunity-integralshift.ca/attachments/20240301/32112519/attachment.htm>