Thriving with Love…the Defiant Lilac

Quiet, fluffy white flakes of new snow fill nooks and crevices everywhere. At first glance, the landscape echoes bareness and desolation.

Yet, in the depth of winter solitude, way out in back corner of our yard, there stands a young, bare deep purple lilac. Although now stripped of its once green, leafy and flowering branches, this winter lilac courageously stands alive bare and wide open to cold winter wind and resiliently proclaims for a 6^th winter, “I am here.”

Our tender fledgling lilac, a very small cutting from my mother’s giant purple lilac bush at our family home, has grown deep roots and wishes to thrive just where it is. We never had transplanted a bush before and my extension service friend said all we could do was try. Year after year, Lilac defiantly has decided to stand its ground amid subzero weather and deep snow, parched drought ground, hungry munching animals, close shaves with the lawnmower and trimmer. What keeps it going?

It keeps coming back. This dear friend seems to thrive. We, in our humanness, provide hope-filled efforts at tender loving care, wiring, kind words, supplements, covers, watering. What keeps it going despite our imperfect care? We know it really is not us.

Deep down beneath our cold sterile ground, unbeknownst to surface onlookers, life nurtures life. Deep flourishing roots are fortified under the snowy earth, filling the teenage to adult bush with all it needs to not only survive, but thrive the seasons.

Within my heart lives the image of the Gardener’s warm and tender, large Hands, He gently but firmly reaching down and providing the hopeful, awaiting lilac all it needs, nourishing the thirsty soil in unexpectedly bountiful ways…through the year, the tough seasons, to make our lilac strong to face whatever comes.

God is like that with us. In the seasons of our lives, we are tempted to feel in our bodies the cold, the pain, the lack. But as Jesus taught us, remember to look up, expectantly with Hope in our hearts. Just as our lilac innately knows, we have Faith to know that what you need will be provided because we are loved beyond measure. God will provide. Maybe not in the manner or time you expect, but perhaps, even in a more beautiful way than you could imagine.in just the way we need it to happen.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us… “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” Tenderly and warmly we are given what we need when we have courage to openly thrive for Him as we are held in and by Love.

How can we get through these difficult seasons? Look up. Listen. Pray. Read Scriptures. Hold another’s hand. Reach out and find no one is ever alone. We are in this together. Amen.

The Broken Lamp

Why doesn’t this lamp work? Something is getting in the way of the conductivity. Perhaps, if we moved it? Checked the wiring? A disconnection would be discovered and ever so gently fixed.

Friends, I lovingly created this lamp and its twin over 25 years ago after bringing its base back from Europe. Scotland, actually. Never having wired anything before, this was a real adventure in creation. I had to find just the right wire and just the right connections to plug it in allowing it to create light. Then, the project of threading the wires, just so, angled in the right way to completely connect all parts together in its journey through the piece. The shade to let just enough light through was another piece of the project.

The base, a Scottish shepherd boy with a bagpipe, reminds me of years spent in a bagpipe and drum band and walking the hills of Scotland. Its twin, a winsome, gentle Scottish maiden reminds me of a younger version of myself taking a walk with the creatures of the field in the meadows.

Both lamps have stayed with me through many moves and adventures. Gently wrapped to stay safe in their journeys.

I feel a lot like this beautiful, yet frayed lamp. Longing to share its light with the world, but with the connectivity just not working right, all the time. God’s light radiantly dwells within me as the Holy Spirit and shines LIGHT from me WHEN I LISTEN and stay focused on Him.

God knows we are sinful and erratic, human beings, not perfect in our ways, yet God loves us completely and eternally and gives unending grace to those that have faith in and Love him. Coming back time and again.

These literal jars of clay, like the figurines of the lamp base, do not project the love and joy of Christ on their own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells inside. Sometimes this world with its deadlines, stoplights, interactions with other beings and distractions tries to disconnect, the light from shining…And is, sad to say, successful as long as we choose to let it be successful.

2 Corinthians 4 says… ⁵For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

We must be open to let God into the heart of our being, feeling the loving beating, fire of the Holy Spirit available to us at any moment. GO deep within. Be awake in all our senses and beyond to Christ’s love in every form imaginable. Focus. God will guide you in a way just for and known only, intimately between you two.

God knows how we are. How to follow the wiring, disconnect from the bits and pieces lying around or fizzling, crackling loudly at us to make us look away.

So, how do we do our part to be open? The ways are too innumerable to count. How do we know how to do our part to stay connected and reconnect? Yes, you will make errors, you are human. But, God loves each piece of clay. You. Priceless and will not give up on you.

Here are some simple suggestions. Try to develop a habit to do these things as you are able as a Child of God in this distractable world.

First, look up and pray, coming close to God. Close out the world for a while. Take a sabbatical*. (Muller, 2000). Whatever is in your heart. God already knows your need. Five minutes, an hour, a week or as long as you are able. He loves every moment spent between you.

Second, look into the pages of the Word of God which is timeless and meant just for you. Just open the Scriptures and read. Let it connect with you. It does, you know. Through the power of the Spirit. If you are open to know, a journal or just reflect. Whatever is on your heart. Talk with a friend or counselor.

Third, look outward. Into the Body of Christ. Your friends, acquaintances, the unending noisy traffic, work, illness and disease, the homeless, or anyone else…, strangers needing and sharing that humanness you have…a smile, a nurse’s touch, a kind salesperson, a phone call you feel the urge to make, a beautiful word written on a page …opening a space in line just for you, an opportunity opens up and there you see it. God’s love. All for you. For each of us.

Not at all easy. Christ is our example. Tough situations seemingly beyond endurance, or so it feels. Seemingly disconnected in Darkness and hurt, losses of friends, loved ones, a job, a change you think intolerable. But the Creator, our intimate Father, is there to reach out to you when you ask. In any shape or form. God can appear to you to provide the strength, the connection you alone need to go on. To Light that world as only you can do. His Son led the way in his human/divine nature, knowing the best way to connect to Light the way for his dearest creation. You.

And finally, focus on the Creation. The world around you. Lovingly created just for you. tenderly, focus on giving back the love, the smile,the soft touch, or kind word, the nutrients filling needs only you can provide. As God sent his Son to teach us how to come alive, to Light the way.

As I make a step forward to work on my beautifully imperfect lamps, I remember I just have started my journey. The solid love of God, faith in the unending grace of God, his forgiveness and mercy that appears and the Holy Spirit Who quietly reaches out nudging me forward to Connect. Keep trying. Peace be with you.

Amen.

*Muller, W. (2000). Sabbath. New York City: Bantam Books.

Advent practice:

Deepening Calm through Lovingkindness Practice

Beautiful practice for everyone…. In this time of Advent, often seen as a busy time for the commercial world, let us take five minutes to develop dive into a contemplative practice that can assist you in feeling calmness, lovingkindness.

I bring the practice to you courtesy of my contemplative friend and psychologist Ronelle Langley; Richard Rohr, Franciscan monk and author of the Center for Action and Contemplation; and Hospice worker and psychotherapist Kathleen Dowling Singh (1946–2017)¹ who taught how her spiritual practice of offering loving-kindness to herself and others deepened in the second half of her life:

Another thing that is noticeable is the transformed nature of my relationship with a practice of loving-kindness for self, at first, extending then to others, through the inner merging with a version of the following thoughts in one version of this prayer: “May I (you) be happy. May I (you) be well. May I (you) be peaceful and at ease.”

A You tube video of this practice…

Singh remembers that…the first few times I found powerful resistance in my mind…I felt I wasn’t worthy. The resistance was the belief in my unworthiness, my conviction that I didn’t yet deserve to be happy or hadn’t yet “earned” being peaceful. It was both sad and stunning to become aware of the resistance of all those deep, damaging, draining beliefs.

She adds, And, of course, my kind wishes for others were a bit shallow, not really authentic, when I couldn’t even hold them for myself. Gradually I began to rest in a dispassionate place of stillness where there was enough clarity to see the stories that gave rise to those mistaken beliefs and—just observing, just looking—they began to dissipate. After a while, it made me laugh to myself to see how stuck I’d been. Metta practice began to happen from a new place—actually resting in loving-kindness.

Give this practice a try. Also, take a look at Center for Action and Contemplation

¹Kathleen Dowling Singh, The Grace in Living: Recognize It, Trust It, Abide in It (Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 2016), 81–82, 83.

Simply Sabbath…

simply Renew your heart

“In today’s world, with its relentless emphasis on success and productivity, we have lost the necessary rhythm of life, the balance between work and rest…” according to Wayne Muller, author of the book Sabbath.

Sabbath doesn’t have to be on a Sunday or even schedule an entire day. Sabbath can be an afternoon, a Sabbath hour or a Sabbath walk. I think it is vital for us spiritually.

A person petting a dog

Description automatically generated A close-up of a piano

Description automatically generated I find that for me, Sabbath can take many different forms. For instance, taking a special day or part of each day just to use my time of sacred rest to be quiet with my God Who is all around me, in me, through me is life-giving. Immense joy floods my soul by simple acts as hiking in nature, riding bikes, doing various spiritual practices, journaling, taking photographs, enjoying time my family with pets, reading, playing music on my piano will bring my body and soul back into balance. I feel rested, stored and renewed… creativity and life-giving connection with our Higher power, the Almighty can help us no matter what faith we profess and age group.

It isn’t the length of time, it is the intention that you take to join with Someone, something bigger than you. loving you, nourishing your life. Do take time this season to be with God. Knowing down deep in your soul that you are precious in His sight. See him in those around you. Beautiful trees, fresh air, warm sunshine, a harmony of joyous sounds brought into being by the God who loves to shower you with unexpected joys, if only you are awake, aware enough to be with them.

Fullness of God’s Love

When the sun shines encompassing a field of flowers, does it choose to give its warmth to just the most perfect flowers with no flaws? Definitely not. If not, can we then as imperfect human beings in today’s world feel the fullness of God’s Love when we are not perfect? I believe so, since devoted Christian apostle Paul, as Saul of Tarsus before conversion, had mercilessly persecuted Jesus followers.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 the apostle Paul spoke of his joy in the strength of faith, hope and love in newly converted Christian Thessalonians in 50AD during the Roman rule in the midst of a Grecian idol-laden culture. No one was turned away from his teaching which seemed to many counter-cultural of the time with Grecian idol worship and military might so prevalent.

During this 2^nd missionary journey from 49-51AD with Sylvanus and Timothy, despite sometimes strong violent opposition from some in leadership, devoted Christian apostle Paul preached the abundant Love of God, salvation and humility of Jesus to diverse economic and cultural backgrounds at the thriving hub seaport of Thessalonica.

Countless men and women alike along this major northern Grecian city were drawn to Christianity through the teachings of this well-spoken and educated Jewish Roman citizen. Long after Paul and his friends were forced to leave, Timothy returned to witness the flourishing in their faith. the Son shone brightly through the power of the Holy Spirit to this community of faith to all who wished to hear.

Nourished by Christian agape love, individuals in the growing faith community now greeted each other with “Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” …instead of speaking the Roman slogan of “Security and Peace” advocating control through sometimes violent means. Loving each other through difficult times, standing fast in their faith.

We are motivated by the deep Love of Jesus to seek God with all our hearts. We need to remember God listens to even the smallest cries of our hearts for mercy, grace, compassion, understanding, ess… in bounded fullness of Love.

The eternal control is God’s who has given humanity free will. Our God loves us unconditionally. In today’s world there are conflicts in Middle East, disharmony with diversity in belief and religions, environmental crisis, and more. We have to remember that Christian community can and will flourish through staying deep in the Scriptures, pray always, listening and accepting each other in Love. This is far from easy; but we can make it with our Christ.

Love’s Evidence

By Laurie Jane Brandt

The words, “I love you,” have been said many times to me. It has been said out of lust and manipulation and it’s also been said honestly. In the last few years, I finally realized that there is a way to know if someone actually loves you. In the Bible, I Corinthians 13: 4-7 describes how love comes with evidence like patience, gentleness, kindness, and self-control. Love shines, like endurance through hard times, hoping for the best, believing good things and rejoicing in God’s truth about who he made me to be. If someone says, “I love you,” but is not exhibiting any of these characteristics, then it is a delusion.

Now just because someone doesn’t love you, does not mean you should not love them. Jesus told us to love our enemies. How? With kindness, gentleness, self-control, etc. (I Cor. 13). At times, it may mean that you distance yourself from someone if needed so that you are safe. Some of us may need the help of a friend or counselor to discern the truth about our situations and to learn to love ourselves and others.

Dear God, help me to know that not everyone who says “I love you,” actually loves me. Help me to receive the true love of God. “No greater love has a man than to lay down his life for his friends.” Thank you for helping me recognize and receive true love and to love others the way you would like me to. Amen. (John 15:13)

My understanding begins…

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

The Creator’s Eyes…

Genesis 16:13 (NIV)

^13 “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen^[^a^] the One who sees me”

How glorious is that fraction of a moment!

To see the awakening light plant the seed, nourish the plant, spread the fire of growth,

Of Light flowing from the creator, rippling at light speed through the universe to the heart of a dear one’s need

Exactly what is needed for that moment…that physician renewed with new wisdom,

Images created in the mind and frustrations held in the heart are enveloped in the light,

What joy in the creator’s eyes to feel joy touching a child who sees her father as the doors of Heaven open its light saying all is good.

In harmony with the new pet warming its new family’s bonds, unity with others cuddling the warmth of the soft music of the octave reverberating throughout Life

‘What plans I have for you my Child,’ the Creator murmurs softly.

Lying in the grass under the stars, what lies behind the shining stars, the pulsing light

The coolness of the night air, the depth of the connections from within the bodies lying in a split second of time. Changed forever and moving still closer through the awakening light

Each star, each planet, each blade of grass, each song, the ignition of the Light that takes away and gives back life.

It is all good, as the instructor creator views his children, knowing that those who see with positive light grow kinder, softer, stronger, with the knowledge of His Son. The Word echoes deeply in their hearts deep within, changing, trusting, unknowing yet believing.

The Spirit guiding from within each living thing each struggle to grow closer to the Light. Yes. All is well. All is Good.

The moment passes to the next. The new note arises from the Creator’s heart.

Lilacs and the Spirit

In deep vibrant purples with fragrance as strong as their apparent will to grow, my 7-year-old lilac bush thrives virulently in our backyard. Why are these plants, or any life so special? Just like their owner, this baby cutting has grown despite the sometimes hidden, sometimes overgrown challenges in its life. Snow, rain, cuttingly cold winds. My most recent example is a medical diagnosis of my ADHD that until very recently had gone “unpruned” for over 40 years. Racing thoughts, lack of apparent focus, impetuosity, self-esteem, organization and more, I have with God’s help made it through to where I am, my will trying to shadowbox in ways difficult to win… bending, flowing, doing the best I can. Like my lilac, I continue to grow, sometimes seemingly hurt by reactions of myself and others, sometimes aware that God was guiding me, pruning me to make my life more beautiful, a difference for others. Nonetheless, praying for guidance, love and support with needed wind, nutrients, water.

Whatever you need pruned in your life, in you, the Master Gardener knows what you need and how to guide you there. I have been slowly opening and becoming receptive to following practices to meditate, to face the day, to be open to the hurt. Letting go in such Contemplative practices of praying without words, just sitting with God, with practices as centering prayer and lectio divina of the daily Scriptures and mindfulness (all prayer is good) daily, following my heart in playing piano and writing, dancing, deepening my connection with Nature, with photography, journaling, exercising and my dog and I training for and doing Pet Pals https://petpalscedarvalley.org/. As I have opened, like the lilac blooms, the Gardener moves in my heart. In the stillness, there are answers through listening.

In John 15:1-17 Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. With each “pruning” I learn more about the wonder of being present, rusting the process, not determining the result. Let it come. Wonder.

Whoever looks on the outside dreams, whoever looks on the inside, awakens…Carol Jung. The Flow of Love, Life. Christ is in all. Are you willing to be still to perceive Him?

What do you see? An unruly child getting messy with paint on her hands and clothes or a work of unjudged, loving creation springing forward. Paint on the face, with a giggle and joy of look what I did, Mom! Just for you! Curls tangled with a bow tilted at a cockeyed angle. We progress in our seeing with the joy deep inside your heart. Only one Being will judge.

Notes from a page or a piano solo expressing gentle, wordless joy of harmonies from the soul? A photograph of almost perfectly correct. The right composition or the capturing of an unjudged image of God’s love across the sky. Is it in the doing or in the process of being in faith? Becoming? A poem flowing from the heart of God’s love creating the world or a series of syllables flowing in exactly correct measure?

My constant fight with trying to fit in, to match up, struggles in life may be partly, but not completely over. Racing thoughts, self-judging, lack of focus lessened with less pressure to be that dependent on others person, that was part of the struggle I have faced. Understand that no one way is right for everyone, and I have found solace in guidance from those who have training to guide me. But I have had to be ready to listen. Are you ready to listen?

The Light in my heart is slowly showing me how to trust, like my lilacs trust their Creator. To be receptive. For example, to see the Gardener in loving friends who have not judged but love, meditation, caring words from the Scripture come to life, and yes, finally try medical intervention as food for the body, nutrients, wind under sails, water. My world may be a little different now. There is much value in knowledge, facts and figures in this world. But it isn’t the only way to gain understanding. Words are only what you allow them to be. Do you take steps to see past the words?

Friends, we all have the opportunity to grow, like the lilacs, giving Glory to the One tending us and with trust in our Master Gardener. Our own pressures created in this world can serve us helping us grow in love with our God. There is a Way to turn that negative hurt with fear of change into an acceptance of Grace from the Father who will give you all that you need if you just take time to see the world as it is. Will you take the time to see, accept it? To reach out in prayer, in Nature, in Scripture, to ministers, trusted friends, family, for example.

As the birds sing out on rainy days and the squirrels scurry along precarious fences, dandelions bloom in the sidewalk cracks, trees naturally bend not questioning the flow of the nutrients. All grow, all accept and move into the flow of being a part of that growing Creation, patience in seeing, accepting yourself and others just to be a part of the whole.

Open, receptive and loving. The fruits of the spirit are the pruning tools. Will you grow as my lilac grows, giving and accepting with love.

Reference also: Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle.

Perception Matters And How It Changes Everything

Kayla Becker loves to serve and inspire others as a friend, school teacher, yoga instructor, success coach and more. I have known Kayla as a contemplative friend for quite awhile now and truly love the beauty of her heart. The wisdom in her article about truth versus perception in seeing can easily be applied to how to see God and His children with an awakened heart. Thank you Kayla for your service to God and His creations! Blessings, Bonnie

Kayla Becker, guest blogger

One of my first mentors always talked about beach balls

As a metaphor

For how people see a situation.

Depending on which side of a beach ball you are standing

You will see different colors –

If you are standing on one side of the beach ball,

You’ll see the colors green, orange, and white

And if you are standing on the other side of the beach ball,

You’ll see the colors yellow, blue, and red.

And as my mentor told me,

Each person is right

Regardless of what they see –

Because they can only see what is in front of them.

And it’s what we currently know

That is guiding our reality.

Whatever side of the situation – of the ball – we are seeing

Is our truth.

I think about this analogy often when I am working with my clients

Because it is often our perception, our truth,

That is impacting us –

For better or for worse.

Sometimes it’s our perception of ourselves –

“I’m not good enough”

“I’m not where I want to be”

“I always mess up”

“I’m going to fail”

“I don’t know how to get over this”

“I don’t fit in”

“No one understands me”

“I can’t figure out how to change (fill in the blank)”

“I’m such a (loser, screw up, disappointment, hot mess, black sheep…)

And it is these perceptions –

These “truths” –

We have about ourselves

That keeps us stuck.

And other times,

It’s these big, looming thoughts we have about being

Judged

And

Criticized

And

Being all alone

That frightens us the most

Because of past experiences

And memories

That holds us hostage

In our own lives.

And when this happens,

We need to pick up the beach ball

And examine it.

We need to turn it to the other side,

Flip it around,

Turn it upside down

And see what we see …

And that’s one of my roles with my clients –

To help them see and explore something different,

So, they can decide for themselves.

Because sometimes seeing something different is really hard

Especially when we’ve believed something about ourselves, or others, or a situation,

For so long.

Because many times

Those are the ones that are causing us the most anguish

Because they are so ingrained in who we are,

And how we see ourselves…

And when we’ve believed something for so long

It becomes a “truth”

Rather than a perception.

If you’re seeing only one side of the beach ball,

You aren’t seeing the whole thing clearly

And that’s a problem.

Write to Kayla Becker

Being Grounded in the Presence

A big brown bunny quivers deep into the green grass with fear remaining still in front of our garden. Not even 10 feet from him, our terrier Rascal had just been let out into the yard, but was totally focused on the yard next door and the fence. It was a chilly morning, sun shining brightly on the lawn, bouncing off the aging oak tree. The rabbit loves the cracked corn left in the grass and like us, is drawn into temptation.

Lately, I have had several occasions lately to wonder if I really was being present, attune to God’s Will. Decisions of consequence to me right now. A far away conference to attend, a class to take, giving up the question to God. Can I do this? I have prayed about it now, darn it. I am trying to take it back again. Think of blessings. Joys. Be grateful. Knowing His Presence is always with you no matter what.

The Holy Spirit inspires me with insight sometimes, to be present to seeing as perhaps God sees. From “above” (i.e. knowing what could happen and seeing his children and creatures in the darkness of their world.) I really don’t see Rascal as evil or darkness, but to a rabbit, he could potentially tear his long-eared friend apart. And Rascal loves chasing rabbits, but the bunny seemed so scared.

My thoughts drift to the Scripture readings I did earlier in the day that we can count on our Lord to watch over us. The Bible says, ” the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Our bunny, quivering in fear of impending events, seems like he could have been you or me in our wilderness of Lent as our Lord remains vigilant with us through our little trials.

My heart races. Rascal’s cataracts dim his vision, but his sense of smell and hearing are excellent. From my perch, I watch as he sniffs about in the yard, oblivious of the impending danger. He rolls over in the grass, enjoying the day.

I open the door a crack. The sound turns Rascal’s head toward me while a new creature steps into the adventure. Ralph Jr., the squirrel, doesn’t see Rascal either, and ducks under the wire fence and confidently scampers over toward the oak tree. Word of our yummy cracked corn must have spread around the neighborhood.

God provides so many blessings to us. We could be aware of his goodness. I yell out, “yum-yum. Rascal, come on.” Just a second or two of diversion as he looks at me, considering his fun in yard versus his treat. Then, his ears perk up. Rascal turns as he hears something moving in the grass and barking loudly, he jumps toward the flying gray fur. With a split second to spare, Ralph Jr. makes a successful leap into the tree. The bunny watching carefully, hunkering down, disappears quickly under the fence. Rascal continues with his assault on the tree for a while, but decides the treat in hand is worth more than a squirrel in the tree, so to speak and heads for the door.

Sometimes, we don’t escape our troubles like the bunny, though. There is not always a happy ending. But whatever happens, I have a deep and growing sense of trust in God’s Presence in this moment. Jesus hand on my shoulder gives me peace and calm. That doesn’t take away the confusions and temptations, but He is my Rock through them. His Presence lies in, around and through us. Though we can be in difficult situations, we can be above them, as I was above the unfolding drama. Perhaps, it is good to have the insight to be awake, aware of others’ dangers, and be Christ’s hands and feet in this world. Knowing that our love for others can make a difference.

The Father takes care of his children. He gave up His Son’s life to give us salvation from all our sins. We may tremble, quiver and hunker down in the grass, or make flying leaps without knowledge of what will happen. But the Light of God’s Presence will warm and hold you firm. Be grounded in God’s Presence, we will make it through.

I offer many practices to get grounded in God’s Presence in the beginning of the day. Today I offer just a start for you. Before the day begins, in that moment list in your mind, or in a journal, a gift from God that continue to bless you. Savor this gift: a family member, a pet, time with friends, a walk-in nature, gardening, music. Continue this practice five times a day. Give gratitude for what you see as a gift from God, just for you. When your feet hit the floor, remember to be present and look around for God’s Presence holding you strong. When you fall, and we all fall, just look up and thank the God who is helping you through this moment.

Another thought is to wake up to a beautiful piece of music that you love, savoring the harmonies that God created in this music just for you. Google your choice if you wish. I prefer soft guitar and piano music. Or, take in several deep God-given breaths breathing in the deep love of God and breathe out the Love of God for the World.