We hear so much today about reducing stress and how to manage time, finances, our weight and the bad habits that we as Americans have become known for, but I believe we are at odds with ourselves on personal, spiritual, political and social levels. Traditionally, the United States was founded on religious and personall freedoms. The term liberty was used to describe every person's right under the watchful eyes of a loving God. Today, this vision has been blurred by the liberalization of morals and values long established throughout our primarily Judeo-Christian history. With the advent of a socially responsible state and federal government, the concept of "anything goes" has replaced these standards. So, how do we get back to basics and deal with the stresses of the twenty first century? Some would say "let go and let God" while others point fingers and blame one side or the other that the world is going down the tubes. I would suggest that we all look inward and then realize that we are not alone unless we choose to be. I would suggest a concept like becoming immersed in the spirit.
Imagine for a moment that you are looking out upon a dry and desolate place where the sun beats down in a relentless barrage of heat and there is no shelter for miles all around. Like a rock you have become hardened over a lifetime of stress; sharp edges and a gritty surface protect you from seeing beneath the reality of the landscape. Now, imagine a stream of water bubbling out from beneath the ground and watch it spread out and begin transforming the desolation into a wooded forest. Trees, plants and animals begin to appear and drink from the stream and the water rises to completely cover you. You can feel the flow of coolness begin to smooth out the rough edges and gritty surface that has defined you through countless years. You now realize a presence that is not new but was lost long ago. Now, picture yourself being lifted out from beneath the stream and realize that you are now smooth and rounded; though still a rock, you have become a new creation. Instead of being a force against the flow, you are now a part of the process that feeds life down stream. At any time you can choose to be a part of this natural process or return to the desert. What will you decide?
Now, take a deep breath and realize that at any time during the day you can immerse yourself in a higher power that replenishes what life seems to steal away through stress and anxiety. Emmanuel, "God is with us" resounds in my mind as I pray that you too will realize the gifts of the spirit. Now, put your thumb, index and middle fingers together and touch your forehead. Move them down towards your chest, across to your right side and then to your left saying to yourself: "I am mind, body and spirit." Congratulations, you have called upon a power that is not only within you, but all around you as well! The trick is to take a moment every day to get in touch with this realization. And as you practice this, bring your cares, concerns and anxiety to him who feeds the stream and let it flow out to those who need the coolness and repose of a loving presence in their lives just like you. God is with you; let him in!
Imagine for a moment that you are looking out upon a dry and desolate place where the sun beats down in a relentless barrage of heat and there is no shelter for miles all around. Like a rock you have become hardened over a lifetime of stress; sharp edges and a gritty surface protect you from seeing beneath the reality of the landscape. Now, imagine a stream of water bubbling out from beneath the ground and watch it spread out and begin transforming the desolation into a wooded forest. Trees, plants and animals begin to appear and drink from the stream and the water rises to completely cover you. You can feel the flow of coolness begin to smooth out the rough edges and gritty surface that has defined you through countless years. You now realize a presence that is not new but was lost long ago. Now, picture yourself being lifted out from beneath the stream and realize that you are now smooth and rounded; though still a rock, you have become a new creation. Instead of being a force against the flow, you are now a part of the process that feeds life down stream. At any time you can choose to be a part of this natural process or return to the desert. What will you decide?
Now, take a deep breath and realize that at any time during the day you can immerse yourself in a higher power that replenishes what life seems to steal away through stress and anxiety. Emmanuel, "God is with us" resounds in my mind as I pray that you too will realize the gifts of the spirit. Now, put your thumb, index and middle fingers together and touch your forehead. Move them down towards your chest, across to your right side and then to your left saying to yourself: "I am mind, body and spirit." Congratulations, you have called upon a power that is not only within you, but all around you as well! The trick is to take a moment every day to get in touch with this realization. And as you practice this, bring your cares, concerns and anxiety to him who feeds the stream and let it flow out to those who need the coolness and repose of a loving presence in their lives just like you. God is with you; let him in!
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