Dear TSJ Friends,
Happy Wednesday! Are you fully awake and alive today? I know this is a weird question but you will see why.
Are you ready for a small reminder – a tiny bit of simple everyday wisdom? When overwhelmed we need simple reminders!
Solomon keeps saying we have so many reasons to be free from much of the worry and guilt that weighs us down and wears us out. We get anxious, unfocused and weary like the sheep in the picture. Sometimes we get so weary we fall asleep at the wheel.
The other day as Mr. John and I were out and about, I noticed one of those large digital signs along the highway flashing a warning or a reminder that said, “Stay Awake -Stay Alive!” It was the same kind posted when there is a weather or accident alert – large and obvious.
But it is so true. When you are driving you have to say awake to stay alive.
It reminded me of an incident I blogged about a few years ago when I fell sound asleep at the wheel on a snowy wintery day.
Have you ever been driving along and suddenly heard that jarring rumble sound? You know, the one that says you have veered a little off course and you may drive off a cliff or into a wall? That sound is a rather rude awakening! Most of the time those rumble strips jar us. They reawaken us to a new state of alertness. And warn us of danger.
We all know it is better to take a break and and stay awake! But we need reminders.
Why? I wondered. Could it be a “sign of the times” we are living in? Many, many people have trouble sleeping or have little time for sleep. .
Yes, I think it is clearly a sign of our times. Fatigue is rampant. And it is affecting many aspects of our lives. Perhaps most acutely it affects our relationships.
For days this sign lingered in my mind being savored and repurposed as I thought about its significance. It isn’t just about being awake while driving. It could also remind us to be fully present, awake and alive each day.
So, beyond the obvious, what does it mean to “stay awake?” Or to “stay alive?” How does this warning apply to other aspects of our lives? There are many nuances to the words “awake” and “alive!”
STAY AWAKE!
I checked my online dictionary and was intrigued by these words:
Awake = conscious – aware – active –
My thoughts…
Conscious: being conscious helps us be intentional
Aware: being aware opens at least a window if not a door for change. It can lead us to be response-able and wise
Active: energizing intentionality and wisdom to create powerful changes
I think I need some rumble strips as reminders – especially to bring presence into life’s activities and relationships. How about you?
Stay awake to live!
It requires practices such as . . .
*Focusing on taking slow deep breaths. Slowly Inhale…exhale. This is healthy for the body and offers enough inner space (between racing thoughts) to behave more consciously and less reactively.
* Being present or truly “showing up” in the moment. Where is your mind, body, heart right now? If not in a good space, it is time to practice breathing. It calms the nervous system.
*Practicing radical gratitude along with, loving kindness, forgiveness and wisdom toward self and others. This wakes us up to what is good and beautiful in life.
STAY ALIVE!
When do you feel truly alive? Each of us would likely have different answers.
Ideas for being fully alive:
* Practice finding inner peace. Imagine something quiet and calming. It will infuse all of your activities.
* Accept the gift of God’s love shown to you in many ways all day. It leads to contentment and joy.
*Look up (literally and figuratively)! Winners of trophies look up! Winners of life do too.
* Look around! You can celebrate relationships. Again, it is from within us that life and love flow outward to the world. Our power is from inner to outer..from us to other.
*Listen to the sounds of creation, to voices of loved ones and to the longings of your heart.
WARNING SIGNS
What are the spiritual/emotional rumble strips that get us back on track?
Our feelings and physical well being warn us when we are off course and need to be reawakened. You know the ones that warn you. I know mine too. And we can help each other get back on track if we only ask.
Solomon says we already know all of this and are radically loved by Chief Shepherd.
So…. let’s “Stay Awake and Stay Alive!”
Margie
