Note: this reflection is offered by Liz Sorensen Wessel

“It is what it is”… my late brother John would often say and when I am missing him most, I listen for these words from others as a sign of his ever present love.  This morning I listened to Richard Rohr utter these words, “It is what it is and I am what I am”  in reference to our shadow. 

I grapple with wanting to banish my shadow side from my awareness. Yet inner wisdom encourages making room for acknowledging unwanted feelings with kindness.

Funny, as I reflected on Rohr’s insights  I thought of the cartoon character called, "Popeye the Sailor Man", who sang a tune, “I am what I am and that’s who I am.” Coincidentally (or perhaps not), my father worked for King Features Syndicate, the company that created the animation for Popeye.

This led me to also reflect upon about scripture when God first revealed His name. “God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Exodus 3:14.

 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” Corinthians 15:10.

Think about walking in sunlight and notice how your shadow goes with you wherever you go. It is impossible to leave it  behind.  Instead Rohr’s encourages us to get our shadow to work for God by 1. Acknowledging 2. Observing without attachment and 3. Acceptance without judgement. The process is not of the intellect but rather a spiritual one.

When we are triggered our shadow side is exposed. I can berate myself for continuing to have these unwanted feelings and sometimes wonder, will I ever grow up? Yet, it helps to understand that as we work with it,  the cycle repeats again and again until it eventually loses its power. Gradually, we open into the reality of, “It is what it is and I am what I am” with humility in this very human and humbling experience. 

 I was regretting the past 
and fearing the future. 
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:

“My name is I Am.” He paused. 
I waited. He continued,
when you live in the past 
with its mistakes and regrets, 
it is hard. I am not there, 
my name is not I WAS”.

When you live in the future 
with its problems and fears, 
it is hard. I am not there. 
My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment, 
it is not hard. I am here. 
My name is I AM. 

By Helen Mallicoat

In this season od Advent let us offer one another the gift of our full presence. "It is what it is and I am what I am"; with the wound that we carry and the Love that we are; just as we are, Beloved.

Advent Candles by ~liz