Dear TSJ Peeps,
Today, Solomon is feeling content and yet thoughtful on many matters. He, and many of us, have been observing beautiful weather, people happily playing in the sun, and longer days that seem to get very busy. Many of us feel we cannot fit everything into the time allotted us. Summer is fleeting, as is time.
In addition, I am also observing lots of humans looking for peace and contentment in the crevices of their lives. And this line of observation often leads me down a path of pondering about spiritual and psychological matters.
I think such rumination was percolating in the recesses of my mind a couple of days ago just waiting to emerge into full consciousness when when I tried unsuccessfully to start my vacuum cleaner. Who would think such a menial event would stir up deeper reflection?
At first I could not figure out what was possibly wrong with the cleaner. That put me into a simple problem solving mode. I glanced over to check the cord and it looked fine from where I was standing. I tried again to start it. No luck. Hmmm.
After a bit of grumbling- because I was (of course) in a hurry to get to the next task – I followed the cord to the outlet. Aha! So that was the problem . . . it was not fully and snugly inserted in the outlet. No wonder it was not putting out any power!
It was a simple matter. Plug it in.
I wish more problems were that solvable. And maybe they are. Mr. Wisdom says they are.
Admittedly, Solomon has a lot of work to do to convince me that not everything has to be as difficult as I seem to think. Solomon reminds me repeatedly that humans need to be as unplugged as the vacuum cleaner was. Not for long periods, perhaps, but long enough to frequently experience a few moments of calm in each day. And he muses that while there is plenty of scientific evidence of our need for this, people who love and trust their Shepherd have known this for centuries.
Sigmund (Mr. psychologist) tries to explain to Solomon about the complexities of the human ego and all the “issues” we carry within our human brain.
Solomon counters those supposed “issues” make finding true peace more like a treasure hunt at best and wild goose chase at worst than God’s plan for us.
Sigmund mutters some assent to Solomn’s point. He admits we humans do get caught in the spider webs of our own minds. And gently sighing, the wizened Solomon commented that the peeps he knows seem to be looking for contentment “in all the wrong places” as an old song says about love.
And he added, “The Shepherd knows our wants, makes it safe to rest in the pastures and leads us to drink from still waters rather than the polluted pot holes sheep are prone to be contented with, and He (the Good Shepherd) alone restores our souls – which is what human peeps need.” (Paraphrase of Psalm 23).
The dialogue I heard between Solomon and Sigmund got me to thinking about how we often speak of taking time away from life’s busyness by saying “I will be unplugged for awhile” . . . usually meaning away from devices or easy ways to be contacted.
I added my two cents to their musings…
“It seems to me most most of devices both give us energy (connection) and draw from our energy (distraction)! Being plugged-in is not bad nor is being unplugged bad. We need both.”
Both Solomon and Sigmund jumped right on board with that and felt I was finally speaking at least a modicum of wisdom. Good enough for today.
With their approval, I say …. Enjoy this day. Find a few moments to unplug and renew your spirit. When you plug-in, try to plug in to the Source of all strength and energy and embrace the contentment that gently enters your heart and mind. The Spirit of God’s Love will seep into your inner most being to and bring with it new life, new energy for your well being.
Let’s and enjoy both gifts: The gift of personal power and the gift of divine peace.
May it be so for each of us in whatever this day brings. Solomon and Sigmund are full of things to ponder.
Solomon wants us to know: “Peeps need to plug-in as often as possible to God’s Love and the kind of wisdom that brings new life to our souls, fuels our creative spirits and generates a zest for living well.” This leads to personal power and peace..
And peeps also need to un-plug from those things (thoughts, obsessions, striving for perfection and achievement) that can only give temporary pleasure and keeps us ever dissatisfied with ourselves and/or others. This frees us from that which distracts us from ego’s never ending demands that keep us searching for rather than receiving the serenity of mind the Shepherd offers.
