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“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” ~ Jalaluddin Rumi
Today’s practice offers an invitation to bring yesterday’s outward gaze on the world back toward ourselves and to tune in to what we truly love. If we’re fortunate, we sometimes feel a perfect resonance between what we love to do and how we spend our days. Other times, there’s a gap – perhaps out of necessity but sometimes because our habitual ways of being and doing have taken on a life of their own. When was the last time we heeded Rumi’s wisdom and allowed ourselves to be silently drawn by what we really love?
Begin by allowing yourself this silence – time to sit with the question of what you love, time to pay attention to what is pulling at your heart. When you’re ready, make a list of what surfaces; try not to overthink this or over-edit. Your list might include activities that you used to do regularly but that have recently been neglected, practices that have shaped your life, or a calling or yearning to which you haven’t had the space or opportunity to respond. Once you have your list, take some time to review and reflect. Allow yourself to visualize and savor the things you love or would love to do – and some of the specific feelings associated with them.
- What’s on your list that makes you feel fully alive? What’s calling for more of your time and attention?
- Is there anything on your list – or an accompanying feeling – that surprises you?
- As you go through your week, make space for at least one of the things on your list, and pay attention to how it feels to give time to something you love.
Share Your Reflection: We’d be delighted to hear what emerges for you in today’s practice; please share below.
Deepening Resource: Love What You Do, A Short Video by Green Renaissance
Image: Each day of our Grateful for Love practice includes an image of love as expressed through street art. Today’s Photo: Tyler Nix/Unsplash
Enjoy the full seven-day Grateful for Love practice.
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I recently moved from Adventure Bay to Adventure City.On my list that makes me feel alive is helping people and Christmas stuff.I felt called to Adventure City…an accompanying feeling of happiness.
We recently relocated to another state. Wherever I have lived I always felt a calling to volunteer in some capacity. Now that we are somewhat settled in our new environment, my heart is calling me to research how I can serve here and now.
I love the process of drawing. With a pencil, pen or crayon in my hand, I am in my happy place.
I love pottering in the garden. Planting some new plants doing a few chores.
I love the peaceful sounds of temple bells and the calmness they bring to my inner space. On another level, I love when Liquid Plumber unclogs my garbage disposal. That brings peace of mind.
I absolutely love walking my dog in any season and in any weather. I feel sad however, that now that I reside in a residential nursing facility that I have no dog. So, I cannot walk a dog that I no longer have. It always gave me a feeling of clarity
and peace. I removed myself from everyone around me and just walked observing nature and feeling wonderful.
Dear Concetta,
I’m so sorry that you no longer have a dog and that special companionship while walking. I couldn’t tell from your post if you’re still able to take walks, but I hope that the cherished memories of your dog walks allow you to tap into some of that same clarity and good feeling. Sending much care and tenderness your way.
Dear Sheryl,
Thank you for your comment. It means the world to me that you understand my thinking. I will try and tap into into that memory and help restore the clarity that it gave to my mind. It really is necessary given the situation the situation I am in presently.
Spending time at the ocean and listening to the sounds is something I love to do.
On the top of my list is listening to some of my favorite music – which I have not taken the time to do recently. Today I will listen to one of my very favorites: R. Carlos Nakai – Native America flute player – who is able to capture the essence and spirit of nature in the delicate sounds of his flute. Also on my list are more walks in nature – and time to simply sit in solitude and stillness surrounded by nature.
Time in nature. Hiking. Walking on the beach. Watching the river flow. This pulls me back into my place in the whole of creation.