To exist means to be present and aware. And within awareness lies responsibility. Affirming that you are responsible is not merely a duty but a recognition of your essence and your vital strength: “Responsibility is intrinsic to prayer because it makes it authentic. Prayer means fully immersing your spirit in a profound connection, establishing a living relationship between Creature and Creator.”
Praying responsibly means participating with your whole being, creating an authentic and profound relationship between Humanity and the Divine. It is neither an act of passive delegation nor an attempt to exercise absolute control. It is a dialogue between two entities: you and Existence, of which you are simultaneously a part.
A Living Relationship Between Creation and Creator
Being responsible in prayer means being present, embracing the process rather than the result. It means recognizing your individuality, your spirit, and offering it to Existence. This act is a bridge connecting two dimensions: that of the Created and that of the Creator. When you speak with Existence, it is you who expresses yourself. You can bring your worries, anxieties, and doubts into the conversation, yet without allowing them to overshadow the dialogue. It is not guilt or fear that guides the relationship: it is you, with your beating heart, who builds it.
To be in spirit does not mean being distant, complacent, or separated from others. It means being steadfast and saying: “Here I am. I am here.” This is the heart of the relationship between you and Existence.
A practical example can help visualize this concept: imagine a person dedicating themselves to a moment of prayer or meditation, letting silence embrace all their worries and transform them into sincere dialogue. This moment is an act of total presence, a gesture that communicates: “I am here, ready to listen and speak sincerely.”
The Process of Living: A Journey of Awareness
Loving the process is an invitation to free ourselves from the obsession with results. How can we love a path if we are constantly worried about where it will lead? Life is not a series of linear goals. It is a journey made of highs and lows, oscillations and progress. Discipline, patience, and perseverance act as tools that guide us through this journey, much like a compass providing steady direction in moments of uncertainty. It is not about denying difficulties but learning to live them as an integral part of a greater design that allows us to grow.
Etty Hillesum reminds us that to face a new situation, a new kind of patience is needed. It is not by avoiding it that we find our strength, but by facing it with spirit, serenity, and trust. For example, in her personal experience, Etty Hillesum learned to find peace even in situations of extreme discomfort, demonstrating that the human heart can remain steadfast even in the harshest storms.
Even in moments of great fragility, we can choose to be trees that remain steady in the storm, knowing that summer will come.
The Kindness That Perseveres
There is a kindness that does not depend on success, results, or others’ approval. It is a kindness that arises simply from the fact of existing. This is a form of silent strength: a way of living that celebrates life even when everything seems lacking. It is the choice to be present, to love, and to recognize the intrinsic value of one’s existence.
An example of unconditional kindness is that of a person who, despite being immersed in their own problems, chooses to offer sincere listening to someone in difficulty, without expecting anything in return. This seemingly simple yet profound act demonstrates how kindness can persist, even in the face of life’s greatest challenges.
When you choose to separate your anxieties from your path, you recognize that the process is greater than your worries. Anxieties do not disappear magically, but they cease to dominate the dialogue with Existence. This is the heart of life: a continuous process, a journey that does not stop.
Being Children of Possibility
Life reveals itself as a dance between the visible and the invisible. We rarely know what the greater design is, but we can choose to be present, to be responsible, to be alive. Every moment is an opportunity to say “Yes” to life, to live in spirit, to be a vital presence alongside others and ourselves.
This metaphor of dance can be explored further: imagine two dancers moving in harmony, one visible and the other invisible, weaving steps that create a silent yet powerful melody. Their synchronicity represents the balance between what we see and what we can only perceive.
To be children of possibility is to recognize that, even in moments of hardship, we can persevere, stumble, and rise again. Because as long as we are here, we have the responsibility and the privilege of being, of living, and of building a living relationship with Existence. This is the greatest gift.
