A Day of Rest

A DAY OF REST                                          Nov 1, 2011

I have been thinking about this for months now.  Today, as I sat quietly in my morning meditation ritual, more thoughts were connecting with me and this story began to unfold and take shape. 

My morning ‘meditation ritual’, as I wrote those words a part of me asked, “what meditation ritual?”  Although I must admit I am getting better at developing and practicing a routine of sitting quietly for a chunk of time, somewhere.  Sometimes that is why I get up and push myself to go to the local mall weekday mornings for the ‘Tai Chi’ group.  Sometimes I find myself drawn to walk around the mall instead of following along with the exercises.  One day I decided to sit in a lovely comfy chair.  I had a quiet time with myself, capped off with a magical meeting up with an old friend.  We had a wonderful conversation as we continued walking the mall together.

Last week I was drawn to follow my nose which led me outside, where I noticed the sunrise taking shape in the sky.  My walk took me around to the other side of the building and as I held the door open for a little old lady with a walker, the magic continued.  She told me that she was 101 and still lived on her own.  She comes across the street to the mall every morning for the walk.  She does her own cooking and cleaning and her 75 year old son takes her grocery shopping when she needs to go.  She kindly agreed to come and meet my husband.  It was a delightful experience that continues to warm my heart.  I wander by her usual perch most mornings to stop and say ‘hi’ and get my Jean fix.

Then this morning came and I choose to stay at home instead of going to exercise, all the while wondering why I didn’t just kick my ass and get going.  All those ‘shoulds’ we lace ourselves with.  So here I sit sharing this idea of “A Day of Rest” noticing how my mind was blank, struggling to remember… when the phone rings.  It was my mom and we had a wonderful conversation, truly enjoyable.  So now I know why I was meant to be here.

I am taking A Day of Rest. 

Yes, it is a Tuesday as I write this.  No, it doesn’t have to be on a Sunday.  And if you can’t schedule in a day, make it a half day, an hour, or even a minute is good.  Minutes do add up.

Turn off your cell phones and other electronic devices.  Disconnect yourself from all the gadgetry that supposedly is supposed to give us all more ‘time’.  Take a breath, and then another one.  Keep breathing, your doing so anyways – you might as well tune in and do it consciously.  Notice how shallow or deep it is.  Notice how you can change your breathing with very little effort.  Feel your body and notice everything around you.  The sounds around you, the surface you are on, the floor beneath you.  Expand out into the space surrounding you.  Can you sense those around you!  Expand out even further, touching all corners of the world, sending blessings and love to mother earth, thanking her for all her gifts.  Gifts created for our pleasure.  Trees and forests, mountains and valleys, specks of flowers so delicate, nature at its finest, enjoy it all as you open your eyes and hearts to all that surrounds you, envelopes you, nurtures you.  And while you’re at it, you may want to take a ‘day of rest’ from your daily routines and have a completely different day.  Give yourself permission to just be, take a vacation from all your doing.  Be prepared, you may be busy as you tap into the flow of divine order. 

Smile, and the world smiles with you, in love and peace.  Remember and breathe in the goodness of who you truly are.