Maintain peace of mind.
Move at the pace of guidance.
Practice certainty of purpose.
Surrender to surprise.

The first four intentions or priciples of The Seven Whispers:Listening to the Voice of Spirit are followed by this: Ask for what you need and offer what you can.

I have difficulty asking for what I need. Do you? I’m not really sure why. Maybe to ask implies a lack in my abilities, maybe it is a "control thing". I am much better at offering what I can. Sometimes I even offer more than I should. There are probably gender differences, generational differences and birth order differences in how we live out such an intention, or try to.

I do know that when I am good at asking for what I need I have a much stronger feeling and understanding of community. There is a give and take in the asking and the offering that helps remind me that I am connected to a great web of creative and inspiring people who want also to offer what they can. The asking and offering provides an intricate dance that is messier than if I "just did it myself". But in the end that dance of giving and offering, taking and receiving, is more beautiful than my stiff, controlled, solo number.

The apostle Paul likens the people of faith, the church, to a body. The eye cannot do what the ear can, the foot needs the leg, the hand the arm, and so on. The hand offers what it can and asks the arm to support it. The eyes guide the feet from pitfalls. Each part asks for what it needs and offers what it can.

It’s a beautiful image, really, this connection of which we are all a part, even when we try to pretend as if we aren’t.

Today, I will ask for what I need and offer what I can. And I know it will be enough.