"Real Life - the real life of joy we are meant to be living - begins when we restore a sense of reverence to our daily affairs." ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
"Search for the Sacred in the ordinary with gratitude in your heart and you will surely find it," Sarah continues in Simple Abundance.
How much reverence do you feel toward your daily affairs? Have you felt a heightened appreciation for being alive after some sort of wake up experience?
I felt a mix of awe, vulnerability, marvel, and astonishment at life - and all the seemingly little things I had taken for granted - when my mom died, when my dad died, after 9/11, after school shootings, and after natural disasters. And I felt that for a
time afterward.
I felt awesome loving reverence when my babies were born and when I saw my grandchildren for the first time. And I felt that for a time afterward.
After shocking losses as well as momentous joys, everything
seems brighter and more beautiful. Wondrous. Sacred.
But after some time - it may be long, it may be short - the light dims and the wonderment fades. Reverence does too. Precious ordinary life becomes just ordinary. But everything is extraordinary,
precious, and Sacred.
We have the capacity to experience reverence in commuting to work, grocery shopping, preparing a meal, brushing our teeth, cleaning a bathroom, feeding the birds, walking the dog, sweeping the floor, folding towels, reading a book, putting a child to bed...everything.
Let's remember the times that shook us awake. They can be our touchstones for being more present, more aware, more grateful and more reverent.
Today and every day,
Charlene
THE NINTH GIFT IS REVERENCE: May you appreciate the wonder that you are and the miracle of all creation. - from The Twelve Gifts of
Birth