Link Love: Becoming a Fully Formed Human

I suppose we all walk with a slight limp somehow, for some of us it is unnoticeable, existing in the mind (a bent toward simple, single perspective thinking that keeps us limited in space or time) or the heart (a propensity to think or act our way through life, instead of feel or emote God-given emotions). For others, it’s a noticeable limp, existing in the body (an illness, disability, the carrying of more weight than is societally acceptable). We all have it though, somewhere. None of us can boast of being fully formed and perfect human specimens. God is sanctifying us and it’s likely that he’s doing it through the space we feel our limitations most.

Some need to learn that emotions are good and given by God to express delight, anger, fear, grief, and more. Some need to learn that humans carry all kinds of stories with them and these stories carry different perspectives, experiences, knowledge, and more, and their minds need to be stretched to accept this and have true empathy for others in it. Some need to learn the human body, though made by God and called very good, still exists in what the poet called a “bent world,” and may feel the bentness of their body constantly. God is still at work in these spaces.

I really love how Curt Thompson wants to help humans become fully-formed—body, mind, heart—and this offering he gives to help us along the way.

If you haven’t yet read Seth Haines new book, The Book of Waking Up, Seth is dealing with some of these same ideas. What does it mean to be a fully-formed individual? How do we wake up all of ourselves to the world God has set us in? (Hint: it will hurt so good.)

To help you engage all your senses (which is part of waking up), I listened to this four minute masterpiece this morning and by the end was gulping back tears. The Sound of Hagia Sophia, more than 500 years ago.

There is also this short video on Andrew Wyeth’s most famous painting, which helps us see all that has probably gone unseen by most of us when we view the painting.

After hearing so many rave about the finale of The Good Place, I started at the beginning. I’ve never seen a show like it and I am hooked. It’s smart. It’s funny (and Lord knows, we need to laugh, don’t we?). It’s good.

Part of being a fully formed human is not just engaging our hearts, minds, and bodies, but also our spirits. Last year I began working with a Spiritual Director and it has stretched me spiritually in ways I desperately needed. Here are some resources if you’d like to find your own. (Also, keep in mind, a SD is not a therapist, counselor, or BFFE—do your research.)

Here is a piece from Drew Miller on The Rabbit Room about well-worn paths and memory, engaging all our senses, Pathmaking, Forgetfulness, and The Recovery of Memory.

Finally, there’s no link for this one, but last Wednesday I cried hard, curled in fetal position in bed. I never cry. I have painful memories from my childhood (the only girl in a brood of seven boys) of being called “Sarah Bernhardt” (a dramatic stage actress), a “bleeding heart liberal” (the ultimate slur by my ultra-conservative father), and being sent away until my tears dried up. Tears were not okay in our home and I learned early on to stifle both them and the emotions that came with them. Adulthood was more of the same. It wasn’t until the past few years I learned that tears, crying, and truly experiencing grief with our bodies over things that are truly sad is important work in being a fully formed human. I am still learning this and it is still quite difficult for me to weep, to feel my own grief, but I am learning and it is good. It is part of waking up.

I hope today’s Link Love helps you wake up your body, mind, or heart just a little bit more. We’re on this journey together.