Snow Good

The main travel routes north and south are closed by snow. Local taverns and B&B's have let stranded workers sleep on floors in duvets. My supermarket has no milk or bread.

Young Urban Changemakers from Birmingham were due to spend a week-end on Holy Island. I was due to talk with them on the theme of Resilience: spiritual practices for the long haul. It's been cancelled. But I made a new year resolution to seize the moment. So I emailed them a resume of my talk. Here it is:

RESILIENCE – SPIRITUAL PRACTICES THAT HELP US GO THE DISTANCE

A DAILY FIVE-O

Morning, noon, and night I cry out and the LORD hears my voice Psalm 55:17

1.       LIGHT UP

2.       LET UP

3.       LEAP UP

4.       LISTEN

5.       LEARN

1.       LIGHT UP ON WAKING

On waking, stretch arms and feet. Say ‘I arise today in the joy of the Birther of the cosmos, the … (your favorite aspect of creation) and me, now’. Stay like this until you feel the joy percolating through you. Then respond by saying to Jesus ‘All that I am, all that I do, all whom I meet today I offer now to you’.

2.       LET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.

Over drive, adrenalin, the smart phone and ‘one damn thing after another’ can take over. Find a toilet space, an inner space or a jogging space. Stop, breathe deeply, memorise a Scripture verse, and pray ‘As the press of work pauses at noon, let your Rest be upon me, as the sun rides high at noon, let the Sun of Righteousness shine upon  me; as the rain refreshes the stained, stale street, let your Spirit bring rain upon my dry ground’. Stay still long enough to feel the difference.

3.       LEAP AT AN OPPORTUNITY – SEIZE THE MOMENT

Fitness experts say a short, all-out burst of exercise does more good than a long dawdle. Most days, if we are alert to unrealized potential in others, ourselves or a situation, we can seize the moment, with a word, action , prayer or suggestion. Learn through trial and error what works, and how to develop spiritual intelligence.

4.       LISTEN TO A FRIEND

Give your full attention to another person without interruption for a few minutes because they are, or could be a friend. Do the same with God – just a few minutes silence. If you are not sure about God, listen to your inner voice or conscience.

5.       LEARN WITH A SOUL FRIEND.

Before you sleep, turn off your phone, reflect back on the day, and learn a lesson: Say sorry for a failing, thanks for a blessing, and ‘got it’ for something you’ve learned.

Find a coach, mentor or soul friend you can meet with who will listen to your trials and error, and reflect back and share any insights.

END

Snow on we go.