Traveling Mercy

I am waking up this morning to a beautiful view…mature cactus against a backdrop of mountains and blue sky.  My husband Tom and I have traveled across the country with our little dog Shamus, to visit our daughter and her family in New Mexico, where they  live in a lovely rock house on a hill, overlooking their sleepy little town along the Rio Grande.

We drove right through Middle America in the midst of a pandemic and a divisive pre-election period, finding, to our surprise, that people are generally friendly and considerate, that mask wearing is the norm (except in Texas!), and that there is beauty everywhere.

We ate take-out pizza and watched the sunset at Fairbanks Park on the Wabash River in Terre Haute, Indiana, drove past the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, and enjoyed the Amarillo, Texas Botanical Garden Riverwalk.  We found, as always, that dog owners are the friendliest people, who are the most likely to engage in conversation, and that no one cared about the fact that we are from New York and possibly “anarchists”.  In fact, people found it very interesting that we had driven so far!

In essence, we’re all just people; most with good hearts, who want the best for their families and country, and appreciate beauty.  I found this encouraging, as I prayed my way through my travel anxiety.  Each morning, and throughout the day, as Tom drove and we listened to inspiring books on CD, I released  my fears about the “what-ifs” (what if something goes wrong at home; what-if our car breaks down; what-if we get Covid 19 from a motel room?), and affirmed “the peace that passes all understanding” to fill my heart.

We are thoroughly enjoying spending time with our 2 ½ year old granddaughter, who is a delightful mix of joy, enthusiasm, and “terrible two-ness”. Last night, we watched the sunset over the mountains, holding our little sweetie and breathing in the beautiful colors. I told her to breathe in the beauty and hold it in her heart….

I hold beauty
here in my heart
like a gift
received and given..
a warm light
that flickers
and fans into flame.

Each morning,  I give thanks for this moment in time, and trust that, throughout this difficult, tumultuous period, God will grant us his peace.

Sing Out

 There is something about using our voices to sing that elevates the soul.  Singing, chanting and making music have been an integral part of our sacred connection to the Divine since the beginnings of recorded history.  I love singing in church (something I dearly miss during this pandemic), singing along to favorite tunes and hymns and sometimes chanting when I meditate.

Singing and chanting not only improve our mood, fill us with peace and enhance our connection to God, they have physical benefits as well.  The all important vagus nerve is called the "master nerve" because it extends from the cranium to the abdomen, connecting the brain to the gut and other organs.  Because the vagus nerve is stimulated by the vocal chords, singing, chanting and humming are especially beneficial to our physical well-being.

The many functions of this important nerve include:

• Keeping the larynx open for breathing.
• Regulating our heartbeat and our hunger levels.
• Stimulating the secretion of hormones and liquids such as saliva, oxytocin or bile.
• Reducing anxiety, depression, stress AND inflammation (the main cause of chronic diseases).
• Increasing immunity and longevity.
• Balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the nervous system. 
• Balancing the heart and brain, creating higher states of consciousness and developing our compassion, telepathy, intuition and empathy towards others          * (singersfit.com) 

 

 Other ways to stimulate the vagus nerve include slow breathing, exposure to cold (splash some cold water on your face every morning!), meditation, exercise and massage. *(psychologytoday.com) 

Coincidentally, these are all healthy lifestyle practices that can put us on a path to body/mind/spirit healing and keep us focused on the positive during this very stressful time.

This morning, stretch, breathe deeply and slowly, spend a few minutes meditating, go for a walk and most importantly, SING OUT!

"When you want to sing out, sing out, when you want to be free, be free..."- Cat Stevens 

 

Water of Life

The rain falls softly outside my window this morning, bringing refreshment to the earth. My thoughts turn to California, where wildfires rage and record-breaking heat scorches. I pray for the gift of rain to be sent to help battle the beast of fire that ravages those who live there. 

As I meditate on this gift, the phrase "water of life " settles in my mind...the living water or Holy Spirit, in Christianity. 

The Holy Spirit fills to overflowing, refreshes, restores and heals the broken places in a person's heart.  Like water, it is a sustainer of life and health.  When we are feeling dry and empty, as if we are wandering in a spiritual desert, perhaps giving in to the despair of disturbing world or personal situations, we can pray for the refreshment of Spirit and be restored to hope.

This is a difficult time in our country and in the world.  The past few months have brought us a global pandemic, a growing awareness of police brutality and racial injustice, political divisions that threaten to tear us apart as a nation, and natural disasters that further devastate communities.

It can seem overwhelming to think about these things, even though they are almost impossible to ignore, given our daily saturation in news and social media.  I am often saddened and frustrated by all of it.  But I keep praying and do not give up hope.  Love and hope are what have always conquered hatred and despair.

The soothing comfort and refreshing "rain" of the Spirit can heal and restore us, if only we believe.