Gracefulness

Gracefulness

The exquisiteness of nature when new blossoms and new leaves appear. Spring is here with summer close on her heels.  Renewal rebirth in these times of turmoil, which is not yet over. It is ever so. Change is a constant. I find strength and solace reading Caroline Myss’s new book, ‘Intimate conversations with the Divine: Prayer Guidance and Grace’.

 Prayer for my mother and me is for a new world, one of love, care, and positive connection among everyone. Prayer, according to Kabbalah, is not about reciting words, in a rote like way. Even if the words are recited from the holiest of books. In our prayers we are not asking for a higher power to change what is happening in the world, nor just to benefit ourselves. Rather prayer is a sincere request to transform our self-centred approach to reality—to literally everyone and everything surrounding us. In other words, prayer is a request to give, bestow, and utilise our own selves for the benefit of others.

Ira Byock relates that - when anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones. But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said. From ancient times to now it still is the case we are civilsed when we care for others and tend to their wounds. Rather than just think of moi. This is not to say self-care is to be ignored relinquished, absolutely not. It is about balance with self-care and care for others. This pandemic has shown how communities neighbourhoods and especially the medical and health workers have assisted wherever they can. It has also shown when we needed to isolate wear masks for our protection and others, many did. Another constant – balancing act of self-care and caring for others and trusting the voice of our soul.