Guest Post - Spring into Balance in Your Life

Spring is breaking out and my friend from the Monastery website is, also, just beginning her own "break out" and trying her hand at posting some thoughts.  I have offered the Congregation blog as one forum to assist her in getting a few messages out to folks.  This is the first of, what I understand to be, a few more that are forthcoming.  I think the post keeps in line with the spiritual values we all hold dear.  Without further comment, we offer up, "Spring into Balance in Your Life," by my friend, Gypsy.  I hope you enjoy it.

And that's why birds do it

Bees do it

Even educated fleas do it

Let's do it, let's fall in love

-- Cole Porter, "Let's Do It" lyrics

As the calendar tells us we are traveling into the heart and soul of spring, even though the Earth still has a frozen tundra look about it. We are at the point where many of the world has traded in their New Year’s resolutions for the sake of our own personally sanity. No matter what the universe decides to throw at us daily we have a full plate many days and not an extra one to spare no matter what the situation is.

We often hear how we need to put on our own oxygen mask first. At first that statement can sound rather selfish. Yet looking at it logically if you can't breathe how can you help the one you love or the stranger next to you breathe? As we look towards spring and the visions of tulips, chocolate filled bunnies, and spring cleaning, what about a spiritual and religious cleansing of our hearts and souls?

In every positive religion and spiritual belief system you will find at the core a version of the golden rule. Do unto others what you would have done to you, treat others the way you want to be treated, do as you will yet harm none. What those of us sometimes forget is the importance of balance. Life no matter what career field you are in, no matter your age, what you have been through in this world if you do not take time out to put on your oxygen mask you cannot help your neighbor or those around you. You soon will become stressed to where it will affect your health.

I challenge you to take 30 minutes and meditate, reach deep into your heart and soul once a week. Your higher power/s will guide you along the way. If you are in an intimate relationship there is nothing more spectacular than sitting together in a comfortable position as you hold each other’s hands, close your eyes together and just be, meditating together. If meditating is new to you, there are many videos on YouTube that can help you learn the basics. It does not matter if you are of a different belief or spiritual system, your higher powers will connect you and lead the way!

Couples that meditate together often find themselves in more intimate, happier, romantic relationships, and before they know it a little spark has reignited. It is wonderful to watch couples reunite and fall in love again. At first you may have things you may not want to discuss with each other, and yet, as your time and connection grows, the flood gates often open wider that you can imagine. You end up not realizing that you have brought back the time when you first met and became a union.

In closing, my challenge to you is to place yourself into “time out” for at least 15 minutes a day, if that is all you have to spare, whether it is with your partner or just you. Set a timer and pick one thing to do for you during the 15 minutes the timer is set. Even if it is to grab a treat that is in your meal plan or not answer the phone, sit down and enjoy this short break while you think, talk to a friend, or just breathe. It will make a world of difference in your life, stress levels and attitude. As time goes on if you can figure out how to increase your time out then do so.

Since spring is upon us why don’t we all spring into a new resolution for ourselves and find the balance that our heart, souls, and bodies need and deserve?

Blessed Be!

~Gypsy, Truth Dreamer~

Editor's Note:  

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion.  It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other.  An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth.  After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
  

Pastor Frank Anthony Villari

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."