It’s a Season to Reflect and Ruminate

Greetings TSJ Peeps!

Many of us are not only experiencing the fatigue of a long, hard winter, but are also in the season of Lent, a time of intentional reflection about life, love, death and new life.  For Christians it is a time to celebrate resurrection, the ultimate victory of immortal life over mortal death.

So Solomon and I are coming to you this Wednesday alone. Solomon thinks it is time for SJ and Lovey to hang out together in another room. They can play together while we ponder together.

Solomon, of course, has journeyed with me since way back when I was pondering about writing a blog and starting a life coaching practice. And Solomon represents ancient wisdom of biblical proportions as taken from the stories of King Solomon. When King Solomon remembered where his wisdom came from, his life was incredibly fruitful. Remembering was important.

And I have been needing biblical proportions of love and wisdom of late.  How about you?

It appears that my heart and soul have been steered toward a time or season of reflection and rumination.  I am gradually going back to practicing that time of “Sip it and Zip it” I have written about so often you probably are yawning. But I have learned that writers write like teachers teach. . .  about things we need to learn ourselves.

Gradually I have even been able to sit where Tom and I sat many mornings doing our meditations before he entered home hospice care. His empty chair has reminded me of the empty tomb of Easter.  That helps a lot when I am able to frame it that way.

What is going on in your life that vies for your attention and pulls you away from your own self-care and joy of living?

Let’s take a midday moment > > >

A tea cup reminds me to sip only. You cannot talk and sip at exactly the same time. (At least not without risk.)  So quietly sipping helps me to be willing to listen to my body and heart and dim the mind chatter.

Hint > > >

Sometimes the best way to do that is to visually focus on an object like a candle or picture or cloud while simultaneously noticing a sound like a clock ticking or the ringing in your ears!

Paying attention to two things, each from a different sensory system, serves to short circuit your brain chatter. Then you can finish by paying attention to your breath: “breathe in one-two-three, breathe out one-two-three for a bit. You will be surprised by how much calmer you feel!

Solomon’s food for your soul this week   > > >

I have been feeling like a slug lately. . . unproductive, inadequate, a bit untethered from my usual source of happiness and creativity. And I have had trouble following my own advice about “sip it and zip it.”

And truthfully, I have wanted God to work some great miracle and give me a huge, unmistakable  dose of peace, hope, joy, and ice cream. Okay…comfort.

I have been working way too hard to find God.  I know better than strive.  It implies lack. And there is never a lack of God. I know way down deep that for me, I have to be still to hear. I have to be quieted to feel peace.

I have , however, remained faithful in journaling and reading various spiritual writings and meditations. And yesterday a reward came. I was reminded of one very simple yet perennial and profound truth that remains a mystery to most of us.

Yes, the Shepherd’s Voice came through with one sentence.

That one sentence has helped me push the pause button on my agonizing and striving .  .  .

“I love you for who you are, not for what you do.” (Sarah Young in Jesus Calling)

Solomon suggests I say no more and let you ruminate or ponder on that gift from The Shepherd.  Savor it. You are loved for who you are. Wow.

SJ and Lovey are happily playing in the living room.  Solomon and I are content.

Breathe in-breathe out…and know you matter. Not for what you do (although that is fabulous I am sure) but for simply being you.

Margie and Solomon