We know that we live in a competitive world. If we slow down, chances are we will be last in the line for promotion, for accolades or in becoming the ‘employee of the month’ award.
We have created this culture of busyness around us because it not only is thrilling and temporarily fulfilling, but it also is a way for us avoid asking other deeper questions, says Carl Honore, in his TED talk on ‘In praise of Slowness.’ Guy Winch, talks about "The Importance of Self-care" remind us how much we ignore caring for our own emotional, psychological and mental well-being.
During the season of Lent we are focusing on slowing down! We are giving you some tools to help us do that, but feel free to do whatever else works for you to help you take it slow in these next 5 weeks, and take more time to:
Rest.
Meditate -- Dalai Lama XIV said that ‘Sleep is the best meditation.’
Take a walk and pray while doing so.
We have also created a very simple lenten calendar. We invite you to use that and remain mindful of the reason for this lenten season.
We have set up a puzzle in our building -- so you can work on a few pieces every time you are in the building,
There is an effort called 40 bags in 40 days where you are invited to declutter your homes. We hope, if you do that, that we will also declutter our lives and our minds in that process, or
You can do NOTHING! Take that time to sit in silence and see what God might be trying to say to you.
Personally, I know how much my life is controlled by my calendar and filled with things that need to be done! I am not sure I can clear it quickly, but I am working towards it by not sweating over what does not get done and, I am giving my body the rest that I have deprived It of. I am also fasting from food, three days each week, during this season of Lent, and being mindful of what I eat.
People of God, let us work towards slowing down, so we can hear God, so we can stay focused on what God is calling us to do and to be, so we can continue to be the church where the love of God is lived out and the welcome of Jesus is proclaimed! And remember, I am always your partner in justice!
