Most of us live our lives at the speed of light. We don't give ourselves time to think inconvenient thoughts or feel uncomfortable feelings. That is until they refuse to be silent. We then find ourselves hitting the wall and wondering what happened. It can result in us quitting our jobs, divorcing our spouse, leaving our faith or in general simply running away.
We have to make time to care for our souls. To do the things that feed our spirit. To rest. To heal. To see ourselves as we really are instead of as the roles we play each day. Because when you spend most of your time in a world where people relate to you as a waiter, CFO, salesman, admin, teacher or parent all day, you can start to believe that is all you really are.
And we are so much more than that.
We have dreams for things we can't always articulate. Remember that song that Kermit sang, sitting by a pond with a guitar? One of the verses captures it well...
Have you been half asleep
and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.
That unfulfilled longing inside of us is a hint to the person we truly are. The one outside of our roles, economic and physical circumstances. The thing is, there is no 'magic bullet' to get us there. (And yes, Virginia, we are very much programmed to believe there is a pharmaceutical or $19.95 solution to everything.)
Instead, we have to 'grow' into who we really are. And like all things that grow, we need sunlight, water, food, sleep, joy, beauty and all the other things that help us to become. Moreover, we know somewhere deep inside what it is we need that is unique to us. It isn't even that hard. There are clues. Things that make us smile, laugh, feel at peace. We are just rarely still enough or quiet enough to listen to our souls telling us we need those things. Nor do we take time to grapple with our hurts, anger, disappointment and fear--the very things that make us deaf and keep us in constant motion as we run from them.
When we are still and quiet we create space for God to access the deepest and most real parts of ourselves.
C'mon. Do it. Your soul is waiting.
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