Good morning! Yes. It's been a long time since I've written. I decided it would be a good day to return to occasional reflections here. Today marks 64 journeys around the sun for me! As this day unfolds, I've already received some precious gifts. At the end of my yoga practice this morning, the class hummed Happy Birthday to me. Leaving the studio, I found the sun just cresting the trees in Eastown with a soft, pink glow. I'm feeling deep gratitude for my one wild, precious, and "brutiful" life and for the wonder of the world and the goodness of the companions I've been given.
It likely won't surprise you that I'm reading a new book. It was gifted to me recently - Sacred Balance, written by Miriam Diephouse-McMillan. As a spiritual director who encourages others to engage spiritual practices, I found this helpful in her introduction.
Researchers can now study the physiological effects of prayer and other religious practices to understand more precisely how they affect our minds and bodies. In addition to these measurable benefits, spiritual practices provide existential value. We are meaning-making creatures. Spirituality is the avenue by which we explore our sense of purpose and connection to something beyond ourselves. ... Faith traditions were around for thousands of years before what we now call mental health, and those faith traditions carry within them generations of wisdom about how we can tend to our souls."
Researchers can now study the physiological effects of prayer and other religious practices to understand more precisely how they affect our minds and bodies. In addition to these measurable benefits, spiritual practices provide existential value. We are meaning-making creatures. Spirituality is the avenue by which we explore our sense of purpose and connection to something beyond ourselves. ... Faith traditions were around for thousands of years before what we now call mental health, and those faith traditions carry within them generations of wisdom about how we can tend to our souls."
Perhaps I'll share more from this helpful book in days ahead. I plan to tend to my soul today. I hope you'll tend to yours, too.
May God's smile of peace rest on you.
Ruth
