What’s saving my life right now? This is an occasional question I ask myself. Not original but I find this question life-giving, uplifting, refreshing and provides a moment of rest for my spirit.
One of my mentors, Emily Freeman, asks this question frequently too . She discovered this question in a book by Barbara Brown Taylor (another mentor of mine!) in her book, Leaving Church. Taylor shares the story of being a guest speaker at an event. When she asked for her topic, this was her host’s request: “Tell us what is saving your life right now.” These words invite us to pause, reflect, and savor what is giving us life at this moment.
What a great spiritual practice to pause, take a deep breath and listen to your life and ask: what is giving/saving your life right now? What is bringing you joy? What grounds you and helps you get out of bed each day? What helps you get your mind off this crazy messed up world and helps you remember beauty, meaning, and love? What IS saving your life right now at this present moment?
What’s Saving My Life Right Now?
The seeds of spring are what saving my life right now: friendships, silence/stillness and joy!
Friendships
In spring I have been having coffee, lunch, and lots of conversations with friends. Those close moments of intimate sharing, one and one, sometimes three of us, around a table. Occasional tears. Almost always laughter and memories and deep connection and belonging. We smile and say: We should do this more often. It feels so good.
A few weeks back my hubby has a health scare and was in the hospital a few days. Yes very scary. Very. Did I say VERY? Family came near to help us. Friends even far away expressed their love Then came even more phone calls. Then the text messages. The hugs. The people calling to check up on us. We live in a small town so everyone knows everything – that can be good or bad but in difficult times like this, it was so supportive to feel the love from others. Yes it felt good to be loved, supportive by friendships this spring.
Silence/Stillness
Each morning during my devotions I can almost touch the silence and stillness surrounding me. I sense its silkiness and rich smoothness against my soul. I close my eyes and let the hush wrap her warm embrace to welcome the day and the quiet to whisper her gentle greetings wakening my spirit. I couldn’t ask for better morning companions to start my day.
Joy
I needed to reread this poem this month/season/year. Maybe you need to too.
I sometimes forget
that I was created for joy
My mind is too busy
My heart is too heavy
Heavy for me to remember
that I have been called to dance
the sacred dance for life
I was created to smile
to love to be lifted up
and lift others up
O sacred one
Untangle my feet from all that ensnares
Free my soul
That we might
Dance and that our dancing might be contagious.
Hafiz
I love the line “untangle my feet” and the image to dance. Joy can be so contagious and so needed in this world. Let’s spread some joy this spring.
What is saving your life right now?