Happy Wednesday, TSJ Peeps!
Today Solomon and SJ want want us to think about renewal as a timely and ever living process for all of us. Just think, every day our skin renews itself by shedding old skin cells. Our bodies are constant reminders of the earth’s cycle of death or loss and resurrection or renewal. The whole digestive system is a system of taking in, assimilating what is needed for energy and life, and releasing what is not needed. Our breathing is the same. Breathe in. Breathe out. The Universe has a built- in way of updating itself. God is a forever change agent; in fact, the creator of change! Thus we can experience healing and renewing on many levels.
The plant in the picture is a Cylamen. I wish I had taken a “before” and “after” picture. Here at TSJ headquarters this plant recently has been a daily reminder of hope and happiness that comes when the conditions are right for being all one is meant to be, like this plant.
To facilitate that, however, we must pay attention to what the plant needs in order to flourish. The same is true for us.
I brought it home from John’s house about two months ago with the intention of joining it with my own Cyclamen. After all, we each had received these plants from a different source of comfort during our sorrowing days of losing our beloveds. They are symbols of people’s love and concern.
Mine was looking sad too, but upon moving here to our new headquarters last year, it seemed to perk up in my office. So after John and I started to date regularly, I thought maybe we could rescue his. It looked so pathetic I was not worried about failure.
I never got around to putting them in the same pot as I had planned. I was keeping my eye open for the perfect pot. But they seemed so happy sitting next to each other I ended up leaving them in separate pots but sitting beside each other on the same stool.
I have often used plants as an example of contrasting what it means to just exist or to flourish. It is dependent on the environment. Different plants need different amounts of light and moisture etc.
And it is similar for us.
So how can we flourish as children of God?
First, I think it is important to learn to observe ourselves and others. Simply notice . . .
When do you feel happiest? Most at peace? Relaxed? Hopeful? Creative? Inspired? Disciplined? Successful? Energetic?
It takes noticing. And that takes being still long enough to simply be aware.
Observing or “taking note” of ourselves is a way to peek into the window of our own behavior. In so doing, we can get a glimpse of our hidden dreams or fears. Observation is the first step to discovery.
Then, of course, when we notice that we too – like a plant that needs water or wilts – are often wilting.
Often we ignore our own wilting behaviors! But they are a call for a drink. In our case, that may either be literal or figurative. Most of us do not drink enough water in the physical sense but what about the metaphysical or beyond physical sense? I have a feeling most of us get pretty dehydrated spiritually from time to time.
Solomon has been reminding me of late just as water is life giving for the body’s cells and digestive system, the Great Spirit longs to hydrate our hearts and minds with Love and Peace.
This Cylamen plant is re-minding me that a renewal of how I think and what I focus on is essential for the heart to burst forth with the love and happiness we are created to enjoy.
What could you do in the next few moments to hydrate your heart and mind? Soak it in. Only you know what you need right now. Remember to give the same TLC to yourself you might a child or pet.
As you regular readers know, John’s and my hearts are blossoming with happiness like his once perishing plant is bursting forth with blossoms- as we plan for our upcoming wedding. We are happily and busily looking forward to the big day.
And Solomon says happiness is contagious. He gets his messages from the Great Shepherd, so just perhaps they are worth pondering. He also says, if you are in a time of sorrow, the Great Spirit will comfort you until one day you flourish once again.
The Shared Journey is like that. We definitely “divide our sorrows and double our joys” as the saying goes. You have done that for me. Thank you for your emails.
Margie and Solomon
