“In the hustle of May, it can be easy to forget who we are.”
I really identified with this quote written last week by Emily on her wonderful blog, Chatting at the Sky
I sighed when I read that line since its words so appropriately captured how I was feeling. I need some soul rest.
Soul Rest
Too much have I lately wolfed down fast food pace of to do lists, deadlines and shallow living. I don’t want to live this way.
Spring is a busy time. Nicer weather invites, calls demands our appearance in the garden. Flowers to be planted, ground tilled for peppers and tomatoes, cleaning out my small pond, and scrubbing outdoor furniture for future outdoor celebrations. The grass appears to grow two feet every night in spring, let alone weeds popping up all over.
Then once again I have said yes to too many commitments: “sure I can squeeze that it in,” scheduling everyday with obligations that seemed important earlier but now annoy me like a bothersome nuisance.
On top of all this daily busyness, we have traveled more than usual. A wonderful trip to New Mexico, weekend visits with family and friends and a great children’s writing conference.
Soul Rest Story
I remember the story of the caravan of English men traveling through the jungle. Local natives carried their heavy luggage. Day and day they made steady progress through the tangled roots and narrow paths of the rain forest. One morning, the foreigners were ready to begin but the natives kept sitting and wouldn’t budge. When asked what was wrong, the leader of the natives said, “We need to rest and wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies.”
That is how I feel this May. Scattered. My spirit left somewhere in April separated by whirling eons of compulsive duties and burdensome responsibilities.
My problem is all that I am doing is good. Many activities and interactions are blessings that I am grateful to participate in and make a difference. But I have allowed good to become urgent instead of holding out for the best and most important.
Practicing Soul Rest
So what next? I need to practice soul rest.
1. I am spending more time in the early morning in contemplative prayers. This quiet time focuses my heart on God and covers me with a sense of peace that glows like an ember within my soul all day.
2. I remind myself to breath. I pause whatever I am doing and take a series of slow deep breaths. For a few minutes throughout the day focusing on my breathing relaxes me and I become more mindful of the present moment.
3. I am reapplying the Pomodoro technique. This is a cool idea you may want to read more about on their web site:
Basically you work for a period of time, 25- 45 minutes, and then take a 5-10 minute break. Most of the time I walk briskly and get more coffee or a cool glass of water. But that too is busyness. This week I want to walk out side to the deck, listen to the birds, smell the flowers and look up at the clouds during some of the breaks.
4. My spiritual director asked me this week how I was approaching some of these events in my life contemplatively? That made me really think as I realized I was NOT savoring them nor prayerfully entering into these hectic exciting blessings. How am I being reverent to each moment? I don’t have an easy answer yet but am aware of this deficiency and proceeding more slowly with each step.
Soul rest.
Finding myself again.
Waiting to my soul catches my body.
Feels good to be whole again. I hunger for soul rest.
What helps you find soul rest and to savor the present moment?
Hi Jen. Guarding our time is a good phrase. I do so well with boundaries most of the time but spring seems to be more chaotic. I think it really is a balancing act – and sometime I swing a little too much into the activity side. Thanks for all you do with us as bloggers..
Thanks Janis. That hourly stretch has made a big difference plus extra time in morning prayer. Feels good to be outside finally doesn’t it?
I’ve become more guarded with my time. When I realize that there is no room for something to go wrong or I can’t make time for special events, I know that I’ve chosen to please someone else other than God.
Jean,
This is wonderful. I so understand. I like that few minutes every 1/2 hour. I go for a water, stretch my legs. Breathe… When it gets nicer I will go outside too. Right now still too cold although my hubby is mowing the lawn.
Thanks for linking to wednesday’s Word.
Blessings,
Janis
I knew we were alike! I am a three on the enneagram and my motivation is accomplishment. Once i realized that is how i am wired and my default mode, I can find better balance. I think we are both works in progress.
Great post, Jean! I, too, love the story of the jungle travelers. For so many years I pushed myself to move fast, strive for top efficiency, and stay focused on the tasks at hand. I tried to squeeze 25 hours into 24. Pushing me along was a strong people-pleasing spirit. But God is retraining me these days, and your post is a positive contribution!
I think there is a real spiritual art to slowing down as a spiritual practice. I certainly need to practice it more in my life. Wide Margins. that is a great way to say it. How about more white space in our lives? One other commenters called it respecting our limits. All way to remember to slow down, right?
I need to be reminded to pause and breath too, Pete. Thanks for stopping by today
Hi Dolly, I like the thought of respecting our limits. That is a great way to phrase this. Thanks for sharing!
Jean amen amen. I have been trying to live like this for about two years now. Instead of life in the slow lane I am almost in the break down lane somedays. I love the wording of this. I call it having, leaving, planning for WIDE MARGINS> when I don’t my accountability partner knows I go bonkers and my soul is outside of my body. Thanks for addressing this so beautifully. Happy slow living spring.
Dear Jean,
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and life with us. This am I was reading about respecting our limits and how God made us, so your words were right on target 🙂
Thanks for coming over to my blog, Nacole. I know remembering to breath throughout the day has helped slow me know. it is a great break too. Enjoy your break!
Thanks for sharing this with your group. I loved that story and think of it when I get rushed. and congrats on the upcoming speaking at Jen’s retreat. how exciting for you. Wish I could come this year…
Amy I laughed because i am a scattered blog reader too. Thanks for you kind words. you made my day!
Hi Mia, you know when i wrote this post I did think of you and wondered if you ever felt rushed. I imagine even if you can’t physically move fast, your thoughts must race at times. A while back I gave a talk to a group of senior citizen about intentionally finding silence and solitude. Several said to me afterwards they had too much silence and solitude and need more people interactions. I learned a lesson that day. It is in the balance of all these good spiritual practices that we find peace. By the way, you are so right: the world does go on quite well without me – that is a good reminder. I do so appreciate your words and your visit here.
That story has always stayed with me and I think of it when I get so rushed. Thanks for coming over from the sisterhood today.
Hi Marty, I agree but don’t always remember that part either. Thanks for commenting!
Jean, some good thoughts here that make me feel like I can just *breathe*. I’m going on a social media break this week–doing some reading first. {Came by from playdates}
Jean, I just so needed this today, friend. And I am sharing this with my women’s group. I so appreciate your vulnerability and your wisdom. This was straight from God to my heart. Thank you.
Jean, I am such a scattered blog reader…therefore, I flit about and visit when I think of different people. Whenever I end up here, I am always surprised and encouraged how perfect your words are to me. Thanks for that.
Dear Jean
This is one thing with the Fm/CFS that I am not able to do: being busy! I do everything at a snai’s pace and some days like today,I have to stay in bed. I had to come to the realization that the world will go on without my help.
Blessings to you, little busy bee
Mia
I love the story of the caravan – “We need to rest & wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies.” It is so true that some days that is exactly what it feels like! I so needed this reminder today. Thank you for sharing this! I visited from Soli Deo Gloria & am so grateful that I was your neighbor!
Blessings,
Joanne
Odd how number two fits in there isn’t it?Sometimes I just have to stop and remember that part too.