^{Julia's Dream, drawing}

I am feeling that it takes a lot of time

TO BE A WOMAN,

to have a feeling of space & breath,

a chance to sink into myself...

as long as I take time every morning

to light a candle to my life,

it remains my life.

But if I hurry into work without

that small moment of quiet,

then I've already lost myself,

and the day.

The task, for me, is to care, daily,

for myself and my life...

to love and to nurture,

within myself, moment by moment,

the quality of quiet presence,

quietly being present to my life,

which sanctifies it...

to live as if the candle is lighted.

-Circle of Stones,
Judith Duerk