Rhythmic Participation

Of all I have done
and all I could do
the most loving thing
I know how to do
is to encourage
another human spirit.

And this is why I gather,
my energy to build and store
material I need
to continually be
creatively encouraging.

And this is why I give,
my energy released
through a life-giving and non-judgmental
way of being
with another spirit.

And this is why I grow,
my energy maintained
to gather and give
yet again
and again.

So yes, grow
is first about me
in order to remain
open enough to participate
in the growth
of the other.

–J. Brunson