Upon Early Morning Awakening

I woke up at 2:30 this morning, way earlier than my usual early morning and was moved to pick up my knitting, wanting to meet my goal of finishing my first sweater. OK, I have been working on it for several years. Seems like I need to feel like I am finishing something.

Daily Inspiration

In between rows I went online to find a daily inspirational message. This one is from the Daily Word, based on new thought. I have daily spiritual readers from a variety of faiths and pick up what comes to the surface of my pile of “stuff” beside my chair. Today’s reading is “Curiosity: As I open to life, my good is limitless.” It talks about photographers moving all around, crawling, stretching, to capture a different perspective. Isn’t that we are called to do at this time of life? To approach life with curiosity and wonder rather than worry? Photography seems to keep popping up in my life just now and I take pictures frequently with my handy smart phone so this reference seems timely…more synchronicity…no accidents in the universe…pay attention…OK, already.

Shifting Perception through Reframing

That reframe is something I offered in keynotes, to reframe worry to wonder. Rather than “Oh, how can I ever get everything done today,” thinking “I wonder what today will bring.” And as for reframing, yesterday I had my weekly prayer call with a friend. Most Tuesday mornings since 1995, she and I catch up, share our concerns, share prayer requests, and pray aloud for each other. It has been a mainstay for me.  So…her prayer for me was an ultimate reframe I am still pondering.

For many months I have had a cough and what seems to be allergy symptoms. Pills and sprays, etc, don’t seem to help much, so I have switched to less chemical approaches and still seem to be carrying cough drops in my pocket. She prayed for my willingness, gratitude and to see this all as a blessing, that God is mighty in his presence. So what does that mean? Perhaps, that I stay open, see where this takes me, reflect on its meaning and trust in God, that I maintain a non-anxious presence with myself, that I move from worry to curiosity, perhaps. Yes, I have the name of a good Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist I am going to try, but, for this moment, I am called to let go of my angst and trust. Christine Valters Paintner reframes chronic illness as a pilgrimage.

Just like when I wake up early. My father was always looking for a medication to help him sleep. I have found it seems God speaks to me in the morning, whispering for me to get up with a new insight, a new energy for a book I am writing or a talk I am preparing. I grumble a bit but not for long. I turn on the coffee, settle in, and write or ponder, or today, knit, as I am called to do without worrying about not getting enough sleep. I can take a nap later if need be or go back to bed after a few hours if I get sleepy. Being worried or angry about not sleeping is not productive.

This is a time in life when several of my good friends are struggling with their shift in energy and their purpose at this time in life. I struggle, too. How do we use our gifts in a way that honors our body? What part does attitude play in our angst?

I looked up the metaphysical meaning of cough which turns out to be “wanting to bark at the world.” Really?????  OK, so as a psychiatric nurse I always ask myself what does a symptom mean? Is this all in my head? Why do I continue to cough when my lungs are clear and allergy meds don’t work? Barking to be noticed, the reference continues. Yes, I was noticed more when I was on the road speaking. What extravert doesn’t love a good spot of attention, but what do I need now? How do I continue to be vital and contribute in a new way?

I have finished my prep for the talk I give this week on Origami as a Spiritual Practice. I am excited to be teaching something I love, only having to drive 10 miles rather than take an all-day flight, yet am toying with submitting this topic for a national nursing conference. I “wonder” if I will do that. Perhaps I will wake up early with an answer.

For now, I am glancing over at the 10 origami crane wreaths I am making for Christmas gifts…the first time in years that I have made Christmas gifts, celebrating that I taught myself how to do it from an online video. Note the picture has a professional looking white title…did that myself with a photo app!!!

More:

Visit www.dailyword.org for a daily inspirational quote and scripture.

Visit www.abbeyofthearts.com , transformative living through contemplative and expressive arts.

A book I am working with now, Paintner CV: The soul of a pilgrim: Eight practices for the journey within, Notre Dame, IN, 2015, Sorin Books.