Today, take time to pause and feel the presence of Love in your activities, whether it's doing chores, having a difficult conversation, fulfilling the duties of your job, interacting with friends and family members, etc. The sense of the presence of Love is more important than the tasks themselves. Focus first on Love caring for you and all with whom you interact--and that will help guide you into wise words and actions.
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Today, feel yourself bathed in forgiveness by Love, for all transgressions, big and small, real or imaginary.
Today, when you feel like rushing, move more slowly. From Wayne Muller's How Then, Shall We Live?:
Many of us incorrectly assume that a spiritual life begins when we change what we normally do in our daily life. We feel we must change or job, our living situation, our relationship, our address, our diet, or our clothes before we can truly begin a spiritual practice. And yet it is not the act, but the awareness, the vitality, and the kindness we bring to our Today, be alert to bullying thoughts, especially those that are directed toward yourself. They might bully you about your appearance, your personality, your choices, your actions, etc. Counter them with the same firmness and clarity you would if you saw one child bullying another. Catch the subtle ways you may have bullying thoughts about others (strong opinions, competition, self-righteousness) and counter them with compassion and lack of judgement.
From Wayne Muller's How, Then, Shall We Live?:
There is a time to act and a time to remain still. There is a time to push and a time to wait. There is a time to engage and a time to retreat. If we can feel the truth of this fundamental law of expansion and contraction of all things, then we will be easy and at peace. And, much to our surprise and delight, we will see that much will be accomplished. From Wayne Muller's book How Then Shall We Live?:
Many of us naturally assume that a spiritual life is very hard work. This is not quite accurate. Rather, trying to have a spiritual life is very hard work indeed. Trying to pray, trying to mediate, trying to study scripture, trying to get healed, trying to act spiritually at all times--that can make anyone exhausted or miserable. We assume that the hardest, most difficult path will always be the most fruitful in the end and that the more we bring suffering on ourselves, the more generously we will be rewarded. But if we listen the great saints and teachers of the world, we are struck by one common theme: They all speak of how gentle it can be. Jesus says, "Come unto me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest . . . My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Today, take time to savor good moments. The sun on your face. A song on the radio you love. A cheerful exchange with a colleague. The way the trees look against the sky. A small kindness you witness or receive. Notice--and then slow down to sink more fully into the experience. These are moments when God is talking to you.
Today, make room for what you love: making music or cooking or moving or dancing and reading or listening or being in silence. What you genuinely love is your form of worship. What you love is a gift to you; appreciate and respect this gift by giving it time. Even a few minutes of attention to what you love can restore you and make your life feel more joyful and more in balance.
Today, be very humble. Let go of pride and opinion and outlines for how things should be. Do the next thing that needs to be done, without drama. Trust Love as an intelligence, active power in your life and the life of others.
Today, feel a deep sense of compassion and non-judgment about whatever you see as your character flaws or weaknesses. Treat them with tenderness. Speak to yourself with empathetic and soothing kindness. Then expand: be compassionate, non-judgmental, and tender about the flaws you see in others.
This is not the same as excusing or enabling bad behaviors. Recognize those behaviors come from a fear or a need, and when those fear-needs feels heard and understood, they are more willing to find healthier ways to act. |
AuthorTarn Wilson is the author of the memoir The Slow Farm and numerous essays. You may read more of her work at tarnwilson.com. Archives
September 2020
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