Recently, I took a much needed day of respite in the midst of swirling life activity. In addition to a full time job, consulting that includes writing and speaking gigs, my work as an interfaith minister, being a single mom of a young man, I am also a daughter of a mother in hospice a distance away. Needless to say, my circuits sometimes require a bit of rewiring.
Heading to my local nail salon, I was about to engage in an activity that I would have thought frivolous until a few years ago….a relaxing, pampering pedicure…for me a spiritual experience of delightful proportions. After all, the ingredients are soothing water and emollients, connection with another being, nurturing touch and the opportunity to take pause into stillness to contemplate or meditate. I had brought along with me Cheri Huber’s book called “What You Practice Is What You Have”. Cheri is the founder of The Zen Monastery Peace Center and the book is filled with ideas to inspire and heal.
As Kathy, the beautiful being before me was working wonders on my tired feet, she asked what I was reading. I showed her the book and then had an instaneous aha moment! How silly was I, reading about present moment awareness, when I could be fully living it, by immersing into the experience of being taken care of by someone who was offering devotional service in the form of her professional work? I sighed, put the book down and then allowed myself to feel all of the wondrous sensations. By the time I left the salon, my whole body was relaxed and my toe nails were a vibrant purple! Now I feel like I am walking on clouds.
I invite you to be aware of the times in your life in which you think about, read about, distance yourself from full immersion in life. I further encourage you to put aside whatever may be standing between you and the moment to moment awe that you could be experiencing. You are so worthy of it.
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