12.11.15 Momentum

12.11.15        Momentum

Reflections on Awareness and Joy

The force that keeps one moving, or keeps an event developing after it has started, is one definition of momentum.  A dictionary example is “once you push something, it keeps going under it’s own momentum.”  Thank God for commitments and routine that push me to keep going when my attention gets disrupted.

After receiving sad news about a close friend, disciplined habits got me through what felt like a few dark days .  For a time my thoughts became so distracted by worry that I forgot my focus.  Physical energy slowed down, strength waned, and fear gripped my thoughts.  The fright of losing things is small, when compared to losing peace of mind when things go wrong.

Then a chord was struck in my soul with the reminder of a Rumi Poem:  “Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?  Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking.  Live in silence.”  Then clarity returned keeping my focus on simplicity in the moment, breathing in good support and letting go of fear.  With additional review of the list of things I’m grateful for, energy and strength returned for full participation in the day, with a renewed sense of continuation of learning.    

Learning for me comes out of the desire to see a problem as a challenge, the willingness to act on a spiritual solution, and the ability to see an obstacle as an opportunity to change.  Regardless whether emotions become overwhelmed with worry or fear.  Experience has shown, there is a reason to keep moving and developing along with the commitments that have been started.  

So moving on to the next project on my plate, I looked at Monday’s planning for this coming Sunday’s church service.  My sermon title was already chosen from a line of scripture in the book of Isaiah, chapter 12 (verse 3). “Draw Water with Joy from the Springs of Salvation.”  There is a reason for the process of selecting a title before writing the sermon.  It is my way of asking for a fresh (if not new) lesson to be given in the message each and every Sunday.  

Spiritual Solutions

Little did I know, the challenge and the lesson for me this week would come in letting go of fear and worry thoughts for my friend.  The spiritual solution would be to share the goodness in my life with others around me.  Each time I would help others see their problems as opportunities for change also, I had the privilege of watching the light bulb go on in another person as worry turned into peace.  

The event that continues to develop with momentum in my life today, is new recognition of the daily need for the water of joy, and increased awareness of the springs of salvation all around me. In fact, everywhere I look, beginning inside me, I find the door is wide open, when I turn and walk out of the darkness into the light, simply by saying “Thank you God.”  

Like uncanny coincidence, with the piano instrumental of a familiar Christmas Carol in the background, I found myself singing the words, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Let Nothing ye dismay, ...Bringing Tidings of Comfort and Joy, Comfort and Joy...Bringing Tidings of Comfort and Joy.