Pivot

 

Due to an unexpected death in her family,

The person who was supposed to lead the movement portion of our retreat last weekend was unable to attend. 

While she felt comfortable doing creative movement and liturgical dance,

Neither Jes, Heidi (Not The Librarian), or I did. 

 

Sometimes you have to pivot. 

 

On our way down to SC, 

Jes and I consulted YouTube videos and ChatGPT 

To find an activity that we thought would be appropriate for the weekend. 

With the help of the Holy Spirit, 

We were able to pull together a gentle movement meditation

That resonated with a lot of women.

 

Maybe it will resonate with you too.

 

Feel free to use this in your own personal quiet time

Or with a group.

The link to the stretches is at the bottom of this note. 

The pivoted meditation is here for you now. 

 

Opening

 

Begin by standing or sitting comfortably. Close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a deep breath in… and slowly exhale. Again, breathe in deeply, filling your lungs with fresh morning air… and breathe out, releasing any tension. One more time… breathe in… and breathe out.  

 

As you move and stretch, let your heart settle into God’s presence and release your stress to God. God has given you this day, and God walks with you in it.  

 

Neck Rolls & Shoulder Stretches 

 

At shoulder rolls:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10**  

 

Lord, in the stillness of this morning I acknowledge You. You are my refuge and strength. As I stretch, I surrender my worries and plans to You.  

 

Grinder

 

“Truly my soul finds rest in God, my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1

 

God, as I step away from my work today, help me find rest in you. Release me from the burdens of my earthly tasks and let me rejoice in the freedom Of your salvation. 

 

Washing (sprinkle, twist, breathe the dirty water out)

 

After explaining the breathing out:

“Create in me a clean heart, oh God. And renew a right spirit within me.”

 

Lord, as I reflect on your grace, wash me and make me new. Cleanse me from unrighteousness and make me one with you. 

 

Side Stretches & Arm Movements 

 

Start during the overhead arm stretch

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

 

God, thank You for the strength You provide. As I move my body, help me remember that true strength comes from You.  

 

Torso Twists

 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” – Lamentations 3:22-23**  

 

Lord, I receive Your new mercies today. Whatever happened yesterday is behind me. Today is a fresh start in Your love. Thank you. 

 

Leg Stretches

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105

 

God, guide my steps today. May I walk in Your light, moving forward in faith, peace, and purpose.  

 

Shake it out

 

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

 

Lord, thank You for this day, this body, and this breath. May I glorify You in all I do. 

 

Closing

 

Please slowly Stand, planting your feet firmly, shoulder length apart. Stand still for a moment. Take one more deep breath in… and exhale slowly.  

 

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

 

Stay in this peace, carrying God’s presence with you as you move through the day.

 

Amen. 

 

https://youtu.be/laIWV6qJWbk

 

FreeCell

A couple of weeks ago, I had the strangest conversation with myself.

“I’d like to play FreeCell,” I thought.

“FreeCell?!” I responded.

“You haven’t played FreeCell in years!”

“I know. But I’d really like to play.”

I didn’t play that day. Or the next. Or the next.

But as thoughts of FreeCell continued to enter my mind, I finally gave in to the thoughts and downloaded a FreeCell App.

The last time I’d played FreeCell was when it came pre-installed on my computer!!

Since the download, I have played around 20 games.

I’ve noticed that I hold my breath while I’m playing because I get so anxious about my moves.

I try not to use hints, but sometimes I do.

I try not to use undo, but sometimes I do.

Sometimes I win. Sometimes I lose. But my reactions are always the same:

I feel very sad when I lose—disappointed and let down.

But then I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I win—especially when I’ve caught myself thinking, “This is impossible. I’m going to lose.” The little card dance at the end of the game is truly a celebration! I begin to breathe again. And I smile while I release a little cheer.

I told a friend about my newfound FreeCell hobby. She said, “Your life is getting ready to become very hectic and stressful. You FreeCell all you want.”

I think I will.

I think I’ll continue my quest to be present right now—with whatever my thoughts bring up.

The stress of school (or whatever “school” is to you) is coming soon enough. For some, it’s already here.

So for now, and even then, let’s find joy every way we can…simple (well, not so simple 😊) victories included.

Uncertainty

The uncertainty in the air is palpable.

In fact, one of the only things that’s certain these days is uncertainty.

My dad asked me the other day what Joe the Counselor tells me about dealing with the uncertainty of the future.

I said, very simply, that Joe the Counselor reminds me to be present right here, right now, rather than making up stories of the future.

Joe the Counselor is a mindfulness practitioner. Mindfulness is about being fully aware of what’s going on in the moment that it is happening.

Yes. It’s easy to say.

But it’s not easy to do. Especially when life is uncertain and uncomfortable…or when you feel guilty for being happy when the rest of the world is surrounded by angst.

And yet, isn’t this what Jesus calls us to do when he tells us to “not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

Doesn’t Jesus call us to live fully in this day?

Oh. We can’t be ignorant about tomorrow. So much of life needs to be planned and prepared. But that planning and preparation must happen in context of today…lest we lose today to tomorrow.

For example. Today, I signed up for one week of professional development that I must do for next year. Part of me wants to complain that I have to spend summer break doing unpaid work for a year that’s going to look like none other. That part of me wants to sit and stew about the fact that my birthday will be spent in workshops. But the other part of me knows that I have a choice to accept that this is what I must do to meet the demands of a job that I am grateful to have and I can agree with myself to meet its demands next week instead of trying to do so now. I can live today for today. The workshop starts on Monday. Monday will come soon enough. Until then, I have a weekend to live.

The uncertainty in the air is palpable.

There is so much we do not know.

Yet right here, right now, is the moment that we have to live.

Let’s make the most of these moments, friends.

Amen.

You Look So Happy

“You look so happy.”

That’s what my sister said to me after she snapped a picture of me standing beside Cascade Falls just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“I am happy,” I said.

And it was true. In that moment, standing beside a waterfall, listening to currents rage, feeling mist on my face from water crashing on rocks, I was happy.

And I was happy the day before as well. My niece and I went creek hiking, carefully maneuvering over slippery river rock, trying not to fall in, feeling water drift swiftly over our legs, until my foot got caught under a rock and I did fall in, fully dressed, emerging safely with a huge grin on my face.

“Nothing makes me much happier than being in a mountain stream,” I confessed. And nothing does. Except maybe being in a mountain stream with my niece.

In a time when the world feels out of sorts—when a pandemic has stopped everyone in their tracks;

In a time when the world feels out of control—when rules, customs, and history are rapidly changing and there is so much unease;

In a time when the world feels full of suffering—when fear and sickness are accompanied by isolation and death;

I must confess that I struggle to be happy…not because there aren’t things to be happy about…but because I feel like I shouldn’t be happy when so many others are not.

I know that life isn’t about being happy. To make happiness our ultimate goal is futile. But I believe that life IS about being present. And being present means being fully available to all times, circumstances, and situations…

Friends: Even in the midst of a world gone awry, it’s okay to find moments of happiness and joy.

And so I ask you today: When is the last moment you were happy? Please share. I’d love to hear