Graduation Day

I graduated today from the University of Santa Monica with a master of arts degree in Spiritual Psychology. This degree has been described as one in human relationships, but I just like to consider it a degree in loving. :) I have learned over the past 2 years what it truly means to love God, myself and others, all at the same time. I am so grateful to myself, to the Holy Spirit, to my classmates and all who work for and with USM for this incredible, life-changing, layer-peeling experience. It has truly been a transformation.

One of the many gifts I have received from this education is a return to the poet's heart that lives inside of me. When I was very young, I wrote poetry and songs so easily. It seems that about 20 years ago, I tucked that part of me away. But, it was never really gone, and I'm happy to share that I've been writing again. This poem flowed from me early this morning, as I was preparing to begin this very special graduation day. I hope you enjoy it.

“Graduation Day”
Lovingly dedicated to the USM Class of 2010

I’m scared of what may happen – I’m scared of what may be
if I let go, surrender, and let it be. Just let it be.
The fear creeps up inside of me like spiders crawling slow
and when I feel this way I fear there’s nowhere else to go.
Should I just lie here, motionless and wait for it to pass?
Or should I get up, run around and use it as my gas?
Into the stillness here I go to recognize and claim
my power in this time and place to reveal all my shame
unto myself – for it is I whose tight grip holds me fast
and fears the feelings of regret will somehow always last.
But get up – still – I do and then the fear just melts away
as pen and paper meet and sooth my worries for this day.
And I forgive myself for judging fear as something more
than opportunity for healing knocking at my door.
I hold and rock and comfort her and tell her it’s ok
to feel the feelings deep inside and not wish them away.
For feelings can just indicate the presence of control –
of trying desperately to know the way it all will go.
How I am present to myself in these dark times of fear
can be the key to liberating all I hold so dear,
It’s giving up unto the One who knows that it is so,
and never, ever worries that my life will not just grow
into a masterpiece made up of choices I must make
to release, let go and trust that I have everything it takes.
And so with care and steps unsure I move forward today
and give my whole self over to the journey – come what may.

- Kristin Firestone, August 29, 2010

A poem: Love Pursued

Love pursued me from behind; I ran the other way
I couldn’t stop for fear it’d take me rather far away
Love pursued – it did not stop – until I ran too far,
Then stooped and picked my sad heart up and took me to the car
We drove and drove through many miles of pain and strife and woe
Until I realized that this was not the way to go
So round-a-bout we made a turn back to the place we’d started
And rolled our sleeves up nice and high and (even heavy-hearted)
We dug and dug and dug ‘til we could scrape the ground no more
And wound up falling, naked, gasping right there on the floor
And just when I thought time had passed and I was all alone,
Love came and found me, picked me up and placed me on the phone
With one whose journey – there and gone – had found my resting place
And now love has me standing facing love in sweet embrace
Where will we go? I’m asking love, for I must know the way
‘It’s already inside you, love,’ my new love hears me say
And so it is through life and dream and story never told
That I begin – here – from the start with love impassioned, bold
No matter where our journey leads,
‘Round hills and dales and bends
We know the journey home to love is one which does not end
For right when we’ve held up our hands in desperateness and pleas
Love looks at us, has mercy, rises up from on our knees
And so, my friend, whenever you feel lost and so afraid
Remember all that you have learned – the promises Love’s made
And go wherever tide and season, bliss and yearning lead
Into the arms of one who’ll never leave your soul in need
For deep within the heart of every woman, child and man
Are seeds of Love to grow you home right back where you began
It is a circle ever spun, this life we live of ours
And love is in the center of it giving us its powers
With strength and power deep and sure it rescues empty hearts
With love and deep compassion calling always for all parts
of us to come together, mend and bind and come as one
Into the arms of love where one is never ever done
Completion, wholeness are our gifts to cherish in this life
But love - sweet love - is something that will never, never die


- Kristin Firestone, August 2010