Soul Stirrings
American Robin—photo by Elias Oskoui
Dear Soul Friends,
It’s a chilly, gray rainy day but it doesn’t matter. Spring is here and Mother Earth is slowly coming to life. Two chubby robins made a visit this morning entertaining me as they hopped in and out of the garden bed near my back door. The damp earth and early leaves of Waldstenia (barren strawberry) plants provided just the right place for their breakfast. As I watched out the window by my kitchen sink, one robin hopped up to the backdoor stoop to say hello. After a few seconds of staring at the house, she started to strut around puffing her chest, shifting from one foot to the other offering a delightful dance. I know from experience that if I tried to take a photograph she would fly away so I decided I’d be still and enjoy the show. It was the perfect way to begin the day.
In John O’Donohoe’s morning prayer Matins that I have written about before, there is a line toward the end that says, “May I live this day gracious in awareness.” I love being reminded of this each morning as I recite the prayer. What will I see today? What will my soul teach me? Will I be open to awareness throughout the day?
Whenever I meet with someone for spiritual direction/companioning, I take a bit of time to be quiet and still before offering a simple prayer:
O Gracious One, we give you thanks for your presence.
Open our hearts so we may hear you and know you.
For years this prayer was reserved for when I was meeting with another person for one on one conversations. Over time, the prayer has become a part of me. At some point I realized the invitation is to stay open in all aspects of life. The Holy is always present.
The other day a friend and I were talking on Zoom about paying attention and nurturing our souls. At one point she jumped up and rushed to her window to get an African Violet that was exploding with purple flowers. Her whole body radiated with delight as she said, “I’m so proud of this. It wasn’t doing very well and then I realized it probably needed to have some fertilizer. Look at it now! All it needed was some attention. I talk to it every day.”
It is the same for our souls. They need some attention and fertilizing inspiration like a morning prayer, a joyful robin, or a kind word of encouragement. It doesn’t matter how we nurture our souls. It matters that we do it.
This is Holy Week. It is a good week to set aside some time for quiet awareness to listen for soul’s wisdom and truth. It’s a good week to give thanks for the gift of life and notice the bounty of newness that is bursting before us even though so many difficult events are happening in our world. It’s a good week to be attentive to another soul who needs a caring, compassionate presence.
As you journey through your week, may you find some time to nurture your soul and may the gift of life and love encircle and surround you.
Deep peace to you,
Susan
