When I Move

I spent the better part of my Spring Break last week not doing much of anything. I stayed close to home and tried not to exert more energy than I needed to. Some days, being in such a lazy space felt almost sinful. However, my body so needed the rest. Upon returning to work today, that guilt was pushed aside within the first hour!

One very important thing I did accomplish during my break was to catch up on my writing. Normally, I write several times a week. Since the beginning of the year I have felt a bit rushed and out of sorts. There was so much to do at work and both of the classes I was taking for personal growth were coming to an end. I had papers to write and projects to do, so that became my focus. Writing, unfortunately, had to take a backseat.

Spring Break came at just the right time to slow me down and help me to refocus my time and my energy. I spent some of that time and energy in meditation and practicing yoga. During a morning of guided meditation, the speaker said, "quiet the mind and the soul will speak." My first thought following that statement was, "I need to write that down!" I did not stop meditating but as soon as my time was done, I went straight to my notebook and wrote down that quote.

Since beginning my regular meditation practice I have come to understand that meditation is not so much about controlling your mind as it is about becoming aware. Sitting still and being quiet calms the body which in turn calms and quiets the mind. Your focus begins to shift from all of the things you need to do, people you need to take care of and list items you need to scratch off to your body simply being at rest.

For me, focusing on my breathing helps me to find peace within. Being still truly relaxes my body. I am learning that my mental health and overall body health is important. A few days after my eye-opening meditation moment, during prayer I was asking God for direction in a situation and I was reminded that I have the power within me to change that situation.

We hear so often that we have strength and abilities to make things happen yet, we pray about some of the same things and some of the same situations over and over again. Sometimes God may have already answered the prayer. If we didn't like the answer we continued praying. Then there are times when God is simply waiting on us to move. To make a decision and move. He wants us to trust him. To be still, to be quiet and listen to our souls speak!

I was reminded in this moment that God has already walked each of our paths for us. He doesn't want us to be fearful. He wants us to keep moving because when we move, he can move. There is not much the Almighty can do if we allow fear to keep us stuck. When you have a situation or concern, pray about them, roll through your options, quiet your mind and let your soul speak. Make the decision and keep moving! God will always be there to guide you on your path.

Take very good care of yourself, always...