Stillness on the Sabbath

Today is Sunday, which I celebrate as my Sabbath, meaning that I keep it simple, slow-paced, and peaceful. I take time out from busy-ness so I can practice deepening my inner life-- how I feel, how I behave, and how I connect.

Draft for "Stillness", from my Message in a Bottle series, acrylic and collage on paper

January has sped by for me, with lots of activity, travel, and committee work, and framed by a new year's celebration on each end of the month. Today I will take a pause to focus some attention on myself, inside and out.

Sabbath Plan:
1. All Day Meditation:
I begin my celebration of the Sabbath right away when I awaken-- I pause before jumping out of bed to remember God, and acknowledge that I have God within. I hold that remembering through the day, lightly, like a dove resting on my shoulder. I remember to smile and allow love to shine.

2. Altar:
Today I added to my altar:

• the Greek Delphic injunction- Gnothi Seauton- Know Thyself.
• a grey candle for objectivity and release, an unbiased color, useful for pondering complex issues and neutralizing bad feelings. 

3. Journal:
My theme this month has been stillness. I have spent a little extra time in study, reflection, and meditation. Today I will decide on one aspect of my nature to focus on for the next several weeks, and begin to collect information and advice on ways to work with it. I will keep a separate journal to track what I learn. 

Today I light the grey candle on my altar, center on my body, my breathing, and all of my physical sensations. When I am grounded, I observe the feelings I am having right now: Just take an objective inventory. As a feeling enters, I hold it gently, then let it float away.

I ask:

What difficult feelings or moods do I struggle with repeatedly in my life? 

What are the attitudes or actions that flow from them?

From my journal: It's an easy question! I am over-reactive when I feel I've been wrongly-criticized or misjudged. I get a little self-righteous, and I have a hard time letting it rest; I become indignant and combative, and hold grudges- sometimes for years. It's very hard for me to forgive "transgressions" against myself.

4. Health:
As I focus on myself and my inner life, I balance that with attention to my body. The weather has kept me inside far too much this month! I need to respond with some extra exercise and a better diet. Simple steps I plan to take this week:

Sadie is taking me home after a morning walk to the park.

• Be kind to my body with a better diet. Make a checklist, and try for 5 cups of water, 4 whole grains, 3 servings of veggies, 2 fruits, and 1 yogurt each day.
• Get outside for longer walks now that the weather is better- aim for 7000 to 10,000 steps a day.
• Make an appointment for a check up as soon as possible-- I'm not sure how much longer I will have my federally-subsidized health insurance and when it's gone I'll be without health care again.