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I am becoming simple, and content.
It’s quite lovely, and a bit odd for a high energy, always on the go mom, pastor and person.
I (we) learned about mindfulness from my spouse’s counselor:
Pay Attention
On Purpose
In the Present Moment
Without Judgment.
(credits to Jon Kabat Zinn and so many mindfulness teachers)
What?! How?! are we supposed to do that?
He (we) have been worrying about cancer, PSA numbers, adult children, mortality, pandemics, church layoffs, finances, etc., and mindfulness suggests calming down, and staying in the present?!
It’s an awful world out there!
If we fuss and fume, doesn’t that help!?
Take a breath.
Pay attention to (only) the present moment.
Do this on purpose (instead of creating lists in my mind? And running through things I have to do? And freaking out about…?)
Yes; and even let the judgment go.
Wow.
To do so changes things.
Changes me.
It may change you too.
It takes a while though.
But when it does, every once in a while my heart just glows!
What does it mean for my heart to glow?
Well, a sense of joy and contentment fills me instead of worry and concerns.
Something small like a warm breeze on my face and arms stops me in my tracks and makes me smile.
When I’m driving to a rise in the road, or around a bend and see a glorious mountain rising from the fog I exclaim with wonder and joy: “Look at the mountain!”
I’ve been doing it for years.
It just slips out.
Sometimes I catch myself and try to hold it in for the sake of my passengers who might be getting tired of hearing me say this.
The majesty of nature fills my heart and soul.
(credit to Mt. Rainier, Washington state)
The moments are so simple.
Like the sky being so blue or the clouds so fluffy and white that I almost cry!
The water of Port Susan Bay being so still and calm.
The fabulous way my peas, tomatoes and eggplant are growing in the garden this year.
(Good grief, what is happening to me?)
These are the things that make my heart glow.
O, my wondrous, amazing, lifegiving, affirming, welcoming, guiding God, who places each of these moments and opportunities right in front of me!
When worry starts to creep in, these scriptures help me keep it at bay.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:25-27
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through God who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Matthew 6:34.
Pay Attention.
On Purpose.
In the Present Moment.
Without Judgment.
Simple, and content.
It is an empowering way to live.
Julie M. Josund, DMin. is a pastor, organizer and coach with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) roots. Bowen Family Systems Theory is her ‘go-to’ approach for relationships and professional leadership. JMJ Coaching and Consultation. #JMJosund. juliejosund@gmail.com.
