Thursday, April 19, 2012

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Paying Attention To Our Soul's Garden

Guest Post:

I love the Spring of each year. When the blossoms, daffodils, and tulips begin to bloom my spirits are lifted to a new level. I just feel good all over when I see neighbors working in their yards and gardens and they seem more friendly when they are outside digging around. I found some wonderful thoughts in a book by Sue Patton Thoele about paying attention to our soul's garden. She states:

"Plants are wonderful spiritual teachers. When we pay attention to their simple needs, they respond by growing and bringing life giving oxygen into our presence. Plants silently make us aware of their needs by wilting, yellowing or failing to thrive. Equally silent, but often less obvious, our soul-needs can go unnoticed for long periods of time. If the needs of our spiritual self are ignored for too long, drought conditions occur, leaving us feeling dried up and lifeless. Luckily, both flowers and spirits are very resilient and respond beautifully to a little nurturing... given a little attention and tender loving care, our spirits are just as forgiving and equally anxious to re-green and bloom as are my flowers.

When you listen attentively, you'll know how best to serve your soul's needs... Taking little soul-seconds - one small prayer, a few minutes of meditation, or a short burst of gratitude while appreciating nature helps immeasurably to revive our thirsty spirits."

Last Thursday, I attended the monthly Lifting Hearts meeting. I honestly think I am the only person among the women there who had not had a mastectomy. I was inspired by these women, their positive attitudes, humor and candid frankness. They were all there to support and love each other as they tended to their spiritual and emotional needs. My own spirit is often thirsty and I felt revived and encouraged as I left just from being with these women (who all had medical scenarios far worse than mine) for just a short time.

Thoele also writes: "Luckily our souls flower and grow when nurtured with consistent rays of attention interspersed among the busy hours of our days." I am sure the members of Lifting Hearts would all agree with me when I say that taking care of our souls and spirits is well worth the effort.

-Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts

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