Soul Clarity
Photo by Susan Izard
Dear Soul Friends,
The sun is rising over the marshland illuminating swaying branches of a willow tree and the amber tips of cattails. Red tipped leaves on a lichen covered maple tree are swaying in a gentle late summer breeze. Droplets of water from last night’s rain hang off the tips of tall grasses waiting to evaporate into the bright clarity of the day. The soothing calm of the morning stills my soul.
As I sit at my desk, I can hear commuters rushing by as a steady stream of traffic flows toward the city. Work needs to get done. Decisions need to be made. Appointments need to be kept. But all the while, the swaying willow branches glistening in the sun share another message reminding me to take time to soak in early morning peace. It is food for the soul.
Over the years I have learned that our souls are not greedy. They just need some attention to burst into life and offer wisdom and clarity. When we ignore our souls, they tend to dry up like an unused sponge. It is up to us to give our souls attention in order for them to expand and flourish. When my children were little, a friend gave us dried sponges in the shape of dinosaurs. They delighted in putting them in the bathtub and watching them expand. Our souls need to be moistened, too.
We can have fun finding ways to “water” our souls. Taking pictures of bees sucking nectar from flowers in the garden makes me joyful. It is soul satisfying and fun for me to watch bees nurturing their bodies.
The great Twentieth Century monk and mystic Thomas Merton wrote,
In a world of noise, confusion and conflict, it is
necessary that there is a place of inner silence and peace;
not the peace of mere relaxation
but the peace of inner clarity and love.
As you go through your week, may you be blessed by moments of inner clarity and love. May you find the time to be still and notice ways of watering your soul and being open to the glory and wonder of Holy light and love.
Deep peace to you,
Susan
