A Tap On My Shoulder
When God invites you to something new.
Repeat after me: I have value, worth, & dignity. Yes, I do.
Listen to “A Tap on the Shoulder” podcast episode and audio meditation.
The Mattering Effect
The forty days of Lent have brought me a grand opportunity to look inside—introspection, they call it.
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy1 writes:
Introspection, as the term is used in contemporary philosophy of mind, is a means of learning about one’s own currently ongoing, or perhaps very recently past, mental states or processes. You can, of course, learn about your own mind in the same way you learn about others’ minds—by reading psychology texts, by observing facial expressions (in a mirror), by examining readouts of brain activity, by noting patterns of past behavior—but it’s generally thought that you can also learn about your mind introspectively, in a way that no one else can.
That phrase: In a way like no one else can.
We are responsible for ourselves at the end of the day.
I can visit therapists, psychologists, pastoral counselors, and spiritual directors and talk to confidants, which is fabulous. Still, after twelve years of private practice, I see that my clients, like myself, are ultimately responsible for themselves.
I have seen that the most challenging work begins when we leave the presence of these helping professionals.
When I recently found myself back in the client’s chair, this became more real than ever.
With all humility, I sincerely thought, “How can there be more work to do?”
I’ve done so much heart work.
Yet, there is more to do.
Creating a Place and Space for Introspection
“It’s a gift to joyfully recognize and accept our own smallness and ordinariness. Then you are free with nothing to live up to, nothing to prove, and nothing to protect. Such freedom is my best description of Christian maturity, because once you know that your “I” is great and one with God, you can ironically be quite content with a small and ordinary “I.” No grandstanding is necessary. Any question of your own importance or dignity has already been resolved once and for all and forever.”
― Richard Rohr
At the turn of the year, I knew I had to make some life changes.
The pace I am trying to keep is too fast for me and my soul.
I’m older.
I’m tired.
I’m stressed.
I know all of this…in my head.
Getting it into my heart and my day-to-day life offers a challenge.
The First Step
The first step is to create a place and space for your soul to breathe.
I chose an upper room in my home.
As I considered where, I remembered a vacated bedroom with aluminum-foiled windows. This past summer, sweet little Grandbird #1 needed a black-out situation to take her naps and fall asleep at night.
It is perfect. It is dark and quiet, perfect for practicing prayer, meditation, and Yin yoga.
Already a tidy space, I just had to bring up some of my many electric candles, place them all over the room in pretty votive holders and lanterns, set up my beautiful Young Living Halo Diffuser, position my yoga mat and meditation mat where I wanted it, grab my favorite meditation oils (Envision, Grounding, and Aroma Siez), my iPad stand and voila, instant peace.
The Second Step
We cannot sit around waiting for the day we finally accept our life. We need to seek it out now.
-Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, Calm Within the Storm
The next step was finding the right programs, apps, or tools for me.
This is very personalized. So take your time. What works for you?
Here is where I am at right now:
I love The Yoga Abbey. Caroline Williams has been a guest on the podcast. Check out her episode here. I love Yin Yoga. In his work, Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, highly recommends yin practice. This form of yoga deeply affects the connective tissue, the ultimate healing zone for our bodies.
I love several YouTube yoga teachers: Yoga with Kassandra, Travis Elliot, Yoga with Kate Amber, and Energizing Chair Yoga.
I love meditation's simplicity and down-to-earth factor with Jeff Warren of Daily Trip. My husband and I do this one together.
I love two daily spiritual meditation sites: Pray as You Go and Lectio 365.
I love Emily P. Freeman’s Quiet Collection and highly recommend using that as a prayer guide and centering tool.
During April, I will teach and create audio meditations for the podcast based on a beautiful spiritual growth tool: Breath Prayer.
The Third Step
Connect with me.
Connect with us.
Right here.
Leave a comment. Share a thought. Ask a question.
Please.
I can’t wait to see how these beautiful contemplative practices breathe new life into your soul.
P.S. Be sure to let me know your thoughts on the audio meditation, A Tap on the Shoulder.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/introspection/
🤍🤍🤍