Be Kind to Yourself

This past weekend, I went into one of my favorite stores and bought something for myself -- three things actually, items that I had been needing for some time, but had been putting off shopping for.  I was surprised at how good it made me feel to be kind to myself in this very basic way.  

This may sound trite to people for whom self-care comes naturally. But for those of us who spend most of our time caring for others, it is an important reminder to follow the second commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  We tend to forget the second part of that commandment as we focus on loving and caring for those around us. But in God's eyes, we are important and worthy of love as well.

Clearly, this message is a theme that has carried through last week (the importance of carving out "me time") and expands today, as I personally focus on how God is speaking to me and share this with you in the hopes that it will have relevance to your life as well.

Recently, I read an article about a Tibetan Heart meditation that can help us to accept God's unconditional love and support and to love ourselves in turn:

Begin the practice by imagining yourself in a landscape you associate with peace and joy...  Allow the full beauty of the place to penetrate and inspire your every sense.  Recall its scents and colors, its light, the contours of its perfection. Allow the inner security you once felt in the place to infuse your whole being.  Now imagine and invoke in a cloudless and brilliant blue sky in front of you that representation of the Divine that most moves you and with whom you feel most identified.  If you cannot imagine any one form, invoke the Divine as a blazing light that is appearing to show you the boundless love He/She has for you. Start to pray tenderly to this Being: "I am deeply and fully grateful...open to me the treasure house of your heart and make me alive in truth and love".  When your heart is completely open, speak out of the depths of whatever you are going through at this time; don't try to conceal any darkness, sadness anguish or fear. Fully express whatever is in your heart and imagine or experience that there is a steady stream of radiant white light being poured into you through the top of your head and pulsating in warm, blissful waves of love and acceptance.  Let this light wash over you completely as you release any trouble or concern and allow all to be enveloped in unconditional love.  As the peace and solace this practice is bringing you deepens, allow yourself to relax completely in the bliss and protection of the Divine Presence. 

 Know that you are loved.

*adapted from "Purifying and Strengthening the Heart", by Andrew Harvey

  

"Me Time"

After an especially busy weekend, I am reminded this morning about the importance of carving out some "me time".  The phrase may sound a little selfish to those of us who are are baby boomers raised in a strong work ethic culture, or busy parents focusing on giving our children the time and attention they need, but it is essential to recharge our batteries in order to continue to give to others.  I'm sure we're all familiar with the instructions that flight attendants give out before the plane departs: "make sure to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others".  We cannot help others if we ourselves are depleted.

We can start by just stopping to breathe, in fresh appreciation of the oxygen that connects us to the Source of life and nourishes our body.  In a moment of silence, we can ask our inner being what it is that brings us a sense of joy and relaxation.  It may be as simple as taking a walk, doing some yoga or playing golf. It could be taking a hot bath or shower, reading a book or meditating. It may just be some much needed self-care, like a healthy home cooked meal or a good night's sleep. Ideally, we should be unplugging from electronics during this time, since watching TV or tuning into social media tends to sap our energy rather than restore it.

Whatever it is that connects us to our deepest selves and feeds our souls so that we can once again go out and give our best to those around us, is our own personal "me time".  It might be helpful to spend a few minutes writing in a journal, listing some of the activities that make your spirit sing. When my energy is depleted and I feel a little overwhelmed and "burned out", or even as an everyday exercise, I will think of my favorite things and be kind to myself. Like the advice Julie Andrews gives in "The Sound of Music":
...When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad....

For me, personally. I find that yoga, walking in the woods, meditating/praying, listening to music and singing are the activities that refresh and restore.  Of course, it'll be a little different for everyone, since each one of us is a unique expression of our Creator. 

When we have filled our cup, we can bring that freshness and creativity back out to the world as our own special gift.

After the Rain

 It rained hard last night; an impressive display of thunder and lightening swept through and this morning, the air feels fresh and pure, cleansed of debris and negative energy. Sitting outside, I watch the play of sunlight on drops of water, which sparkle in the morning light, like tiny diamonds. 

The thought that comes is simple: just be thankful, for the gift of each new day, for the breath of life that wakes my heart, lungs and mind.

There is nothing more today except to be here now, fully and completely. body, mind and soul, gratefully experiencing whatever life has to give.

 I think of the children's song from  "Charlotte's Web", a beautiful story by E.B. White about the friendship between a spider named Charlotte and a pig named Wilbur:

How very special are we For just a moment to be Part of life's eternal rhyme How very special are we To have on our family tree Mother Earth and Father Time He turns the seasons around And so she changes her gown But they always look in their prime They go on dancing their dance Of ever lasting romance

https://www.letssingit.com/charlotte-s-web-lyrics-mother-earth-and-father-time-ktb21dp
LetsSingIt - The Internet Lyrics Database

How very special are we For just a moment to be Part of life's eternal rhyme How very special are we To have on our family tree Mother Earth and Father Time He turns the seasons around And so she changes her gown But they always look in their prime They go on dancing their dance Of ever lasting romance

https://www.letssingit.com/charlotte-s-web-lyrics-mother-earth-and-father-time-ktb21dp
LetsSingIt - The Internet Lyrics Database 

How very special are we
For just a moment to be
Part of life’s eternal rhyme
How very special are we
To have on our family tree
Mother Earth and Father Time

He turns the seasons around
And so she changes her gown
But they always look in their prime
They go on dancing their dance
Of every lasting romance
Mother Earth and Father Time

The summer larks return to sing
Oh what a gift they give
Then autumn days grow short and cold
Oh what a joy to live

How very special are we
For just a moment to be
Part of life’s eternal rhyme
How very special are we
To have on our family tree
Mother Earth and Father Time 

How very special are we For just a moment to be Part of life's eternal rhyme How very special are we To have on our family tree Mother Earth and Father Time He turns the seasons around And so she changes her gown But they always look in their prime They go on dancing their dance Of ever lasting romance

https://www.letssingit.com/charlotte-s-web-lyrics-mother-earth-and-father-time-ktb21dp
LetsSingIt - The Internet Lyrics Database

The moral of the story, of course, is that we are special just by being part of God's creation for a time.  Whatever time we are given, it is important to be awake and alert each day and not to waste a minute of the precious gift we are given.  Thank you, thank you, thank you...our daily prayer.

A Day To Pause

Today, as we pause to honor the "worker bees" who have gone before us and those who contribute so much to our daily lives today, may we also take a moment to reflect on the value of pausing to rest and appreciate the beauty all around us.

Work is important, we would certainly all agree, and life as we know it would not go on save for the contributions of doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, food service workers and countless others who are cogs in the societal wheel.

But life should be lived in balance, and rest and rejuvenation are as important as work is to our collective well-being.  

I just returned from a week in the Southwestern desert, visiting my daughter and her family. I had a lovely time, enjoying my granddaughter's charms against the backdrop of beautiful mountains and the Rio Grande River.
Normally relentlessly hot and dry, it actually rained a couple times during my visit, which is a Divine blessing for them.

Coming home, filled with a mix of joy and sadness, I was struck by the difference in the climate and felt a fresh appreciation for the lush growth and cool, moist air of our Finger Lakes region.

Last night, Tom and I walked the pier at sunset and watched in wonder as the rosy pink, glowing waves washed over the walkway. People and dogs strolled by, photographers stopped to capture the moment and everyone seemed to be in awe at such glory. The scene was like a beautiful painting; a work of art fashioned by a loving Creator.

Later, I sat on the deck and looked up at a a sky full of stars as I listened to a chorus of crickets soothing the night with their lullaby. Every living thing around me seemed to be breathing in synchronicity, and the beauty of the moment filled me with a profound peace. 

Such is life -- work and rest, movement and pause, like the waves in the lake...

Breathe deeply and enter into the moment; be present, be mindful, don't miss any of it,
for it is far too precious.