My energy level is low and all I can do is to know that. January is a tough month for many people. Christmas bills are coming due and the weather is full of floods and tropical-like temperatures. Are we coming or going? The future of Earth may be in peril.
I look at my life on this January morning. My shoulder is giving me problems and I probably need physical therapy. Psychologically I feel winter’s dull and gloomy passage. It is not time for springtime optimism yet. We have to pay the price of being in debt and in support of a war that puts freedom in peril.
The remedy for me is simple; I automatically cut down on my energy expenditures. I begin to do simple exercises aimed at range of motion of my shoulder. It has frozen twice in the past and the P.T. for it is painful; I want to avoid that if I can.
The first three paragraphs disclose my state of mind. Now I turn to my spiritual state of being. I begin by entering the silence. I just sit for five minutes or so. I notice my breathing in order to slow it down. I take some deep breaths, letting my body know that I love it and now it is in pain.
My spirit is in no danger of being broken; it leads the way to inner healing moment by moment by moment. I rest in the silence. I breathe into healing.
A few simple words of Jesus come to mind:
“I will never leave thee or forsake thee.”
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
“Straight is the way and narrow is the gate and few there be that enter in.”
I need to enter through the narrow gate of silent surrender where I drop all of my burdens.
The silence changes me, if but momentarily. I breathe it in and out. I let it soothe me.
Nothing more is required of me. I need not keep suffering from my ego. And suffering from the ego is mechanical, whereas suffering from awareness guarantees its end.
We forget the power of conscious suffering; it is the last thing we think of to do.
I rest my head on the shoulder of the teachings and let them do their work. This is the Alpha and the Omega of the broken heart.
Vicki Woodyard
Your description of Januarys is so accurate. The recommendation for healing breathing is very welcomed. We remember it as the “last thing” is indeed how it is.. May we all go into the heavenly silence for its warmth, peace and atmosphere of God’s love. Namaste, dear Vicki.
My humorous comment on January is that God is paying us back for what we have done to Christmas!