Days 301-302 Being Intentional

Recently, I read an article by a reporter who travels to
some of the most impoverished countries of the world. She writes about the
people she encounters and shares their stories. Although, I don’t remember the
names or places, a poignant image lingers, of a young boy who lives in bleak and
desolate conditions. Yet, he lovingly tended a small purple flower
that sprouted between the cracks of a stone wall.

Love is an invisible force. We search, we struggle and all the
while Love Is and we are. When ready, we begin to let go of our frenetic activity and futile attempts to control
what is beyond our doing. Only then can we
awaken to our essence; we are home.

Often we react to life’s challenges as if we could
control the universe. Day to day stress,
if ignored, can culminate in physical symptoms of illness and pain (my most
recent experience and of some colleagues). Restoration of health in body, mind and spirit
is an intentional act of Loving; oneself and others.

We can intentionally create space for Love’s expansiveness by watering the seeds within our heart. One helpful way I have found, is to get in
to a comfortable position and to breathe deeply. On each sail of air we can feel the
stress and tension release from our body.
Soon an ever deepening sense of calm settles over us like a warm
blanket. Profound relaxation enables us to restore balance and a sense of
well-being.

Offer a listening presence. Give up your efforts. Notice what you love. Trust in the healing power of Love.

Then, as Erie Chapman so graciously illustrated in this past
week’s Journal essays, our movements become Love in action.

~liz Sorensen Wessel

Mandala by ~liz

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Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

Tags: Erie Chapman, healing, Journal of Sacred Work, Liz sorensen Wessel, Stress

5 responses to “Days 301-302 Being Intentional”

Stephanie

October 27, 2012 at 4:07 pm

Hi Liz, This week I intentionally invited God to show me evidence of God’s tenderness, and to show me joy. A friend’s cat died, and I looked for a book for her little girl about kitties in heaven. I know that different theologies approach this in different ways. When I was at the library looking for another book, the book, “Will I See My Dog in Heaven?” popped out oat me from the stacks, written by a Franciscan friar. As you can imagine, with St. Francis’ love of animals, the book is tender and joyful. Your little boy tending the flower reminded me of the steadfastness with which our animals can love us, and sets an example for me of living one day at a time, setting love as a priority. ~Stephanie

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erie

October 27, 2012 at 5:57 pm

“We search, we struggle and all the while Love Is and we are.” I love this sentence and your wonderful essay, Liz. I think it is one of your best – simple, clear, and filled with your expression of God’s Love. You are as bright as the sun you paint.

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Maria Doglio

October 28, 2012 at 1:49 pm

This weekend, I brought work home with the intention of catching up to keep my head above water as a result of the last 2 intense work weeks. However, my brain on overload, shut down, so Friday I left work early to sleep. Saturday I was feeling semi-ill all day and I was forced to listen to by body to do nothing but sleep. So I listened and decided to Love myself into rest. Sunday a bit better, but still proceeding to do a little more with caution. I am deciding if I need to take Monday off. I was struck with your paragraph about how day to day stress results in pain and illness if ignored and I was also struck (again)by the realization that our work culture does not always allow us time we need just to rest—we have developed the mindset to push on in spite of how we feel….just pop a pill and you’ll be able to go to work and not lose money! If illness gets pushed down, not allowed to run it’s cleansing course, we get sicker still down the road. The older I get the more mindful I am of how important it is to take the time to tend to self in the highest loving way, so we can then tend to others.
So I am wrapping the warm love blanket around me, to love myself into healing. We draw from the universe because LOVE IS, the ultimate healer. Thanks Liz.

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Maureen McDermott

October 28, 2012 at 9:38 pm

Liz, you are Love in action. Once again, thank you for your heart felt expression and encouragement to each of us to slow down, to find our rhythm, our inner harmony and so be in tune with ‘our essence’. May Love continue to enwrap you with the peace and comfort that your heart desires.

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candace nagle

October 29, 2012 at 8:55 am

Waking early to a large day, I read all your posts and feel such an affinity with what everyone had said. Sometimes…a lot of times…it is difficult to stop long enough to follow that breath to a still place. When running, in the mind and/or the body, at full tilt, it may be impossible to feel the love because of all of the fear and cortisol racing through the body. We live in a time, a society, a work culture, that rewards frenetic, high octane caffeinated behavior. Our connection to Love, though ever present, may begin to feel like an unreal illusion. We need each other for a reminder. The wise word, the gentle touch, the thoughtful gesture are all so important. I am reminded of Mother Teresa’s words paraphrased: “God has no hands here but yours.” …often times those hands are paws. This is a demanding old world in which humans have forgotten that trees live and some barely ever see the stars…there is madness. Thank God for good friends, human and otherwise.

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