We can never have enough gratitude, can we?
I have been going through a rocky recovery from my dental surgery, and I've tried to keep this in mind. When I am in continual pain with no clear end in sight, it is easy for me to to fall into self-pity, worry, fear, and even panic. Attendance at my own personal pity parties. Instead, I can cling to the saying, "This too shall pass!" I am constantly bringing myself back to what I have to be grateful for, and there is so, so much. This is a great coping strategy and spiritual practice.
Today Brad Shorr has a post on spiritual renewal with some quotes by Henri Nouwen that I found very helpful. Check it out if you are needing a boost and a moment to reflect.
Yesterday I also took time off in an attempt to practice observing the Sabbath, which for me means, resting and relaxing. I want it to be a Day of Rest! I am still in the early stages of developing this practice, but find it essential to my well-being. I currently take off parts of the day, slip back, handle a few problems, notice what I'm doing, and then ease back into resting. I need to learn how to draw firmer boundaries. I also need to learn how to tolerate having a lot to do and purposefully choosing to do something more important---resting. It will be a process, I'm sure.
~Photos by LoveHubbie Mark
12 comments:
Such beautiful photos. I agree that we can't have too much gratitude. I just posted 100 things I was grateful for earlier today. A day of rest -- what a great idea!
I like the idea of a sabbath day.. a day of rest, no commerce or problem-solving. There seems to be a good reason why it is recommended by all the major religions.
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A day of rest! What a fabulous idea. What a great way to become more conscious of how easily you/we slip out of the commitment to ourselves and back into DO DO DOING. Good for you. I send you lots of good boundaries energy. This will be a lot like meditating. Each time the mind wanders, you just patiently bring it back, the way we lead a toddler back to something by the hand, saying, "come on, sweetie, we are doing this right now."
Nicci,
And what an achievement it was! Wow, was I impressed. I don't know if I could do it, but I should try, we all should.
Congratulations again, O
Chani,
It is SUCH a good idea. You know, the major religions DO recommend it, and for Christians it is an ignored commandment. What's up with that?
I read about it in "An Altar In the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor, and thought, "right, and we're so smart as Americans that we know better"---NOT!
We need one day of rest. It is very counter-cultural to do this and I love that too. Plus it's fun.
Can't wait till I make it a whole day :)
Thanks for the great point, Chani,
Love, O
Thank you, Kelly. I LOVE your analogy of meditating---this is good, good, good! Bringing myself back again and again. The next few Sundays will be in Hawaii, but I will "work" on this there as well. Maybe I'll be a pro when I come back :)
Love,
O
This is a great idea Olivia. I don't work outside the home, but still use Sunday as a day of rest and an opportunity to get out of the house and re-charge.
Sorry to learn that your surgery has proven more demanding of recovery time than you might have wished, Olivia.
One of the aspects of living a long life is the witnessing of loved ones departing. You know to be fully present with your friend in Hawaii, as you will be building the bridge from here to forever with him during that time. He can help you finish the work the two of you started, even if he is not present in his body any longer.
I love the concept of a total day of rest and relaxation......maybe someday before I get much older I will be able to let everything go for just one day.... Beautiful flowers!
Patti, I'm glad you appreciate it; you still work hard IN the home, and whatever rest and relaxation and rejuvenation is for you, you should be able to enjoy it. I'm glad to see you do. It gives me hope that I will be able to continue to move towards this more and more each Sunday! Peace and love, O
Rick,
What a beautiful way of seeing death, and of conceptualizing our work. I appreciate your perspective very much, Rick!
Much love, O
Sonia,
Welcome to the happyluau! I view taking the Sabbath so much as a practice, and this helps. I think that every little bit you are able to "let go" helps, and counts :)
Mahalo for visiting, e komo mai,
Olivia
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