Get Well

I am in the infirmary, an effort to take better care of my broken foot so it can heal.  This infirmary room is slowly becoming a monk cell for me.  I am a bit more confined and so I am less tempted to pace.  It has become a sacred space for healing  I keep staring at the helium balloon that hangs from my ceiling, “Get Well,” it says.  It sounds like a very simple request, a kind wish from a good friend.  Little did she realize what metaphysical ponderings this get-well-wish would work in me!

What does it mean to get well?  There are times when I am not actually sick yet need to get well.  At the moment, yes, my foot needs to heal.  However I can think of numerous ways I need to get well.

·        When my attitude limps and I start feeling sorry for myself I need to get well

·        When I find myself complaining about every little thing,  I need to get well

·        When I get so busy I forget to take time for solitude and prayer, I need to get well

·        When I let  grudges reign in my heart,  I need to get well

·        When I find myself critical and impatient with others, I need to get well

·        When I bring only half a heart to my daily living, I need to get well

·        When I find myself disgustingly self-righteous, I need to get well

·        When what I own becomes more important than the people I live with, I need to get well

·        When I spend more time judging others than affirming them I need to get well...

The list could go on and on.  I could write until tomorrow.  I write these things not to be overly critical of myself but rather as a gentle reminder that there are ways I am not living up to my full potential.  Since I would like to be the best version of myself that I can be, these words are a way of prayer.  

The mystical poet Rumi affirms our goodness when he says:   “If you knew yourself for even one moment!  If you could glimpse your beautiful soul!  Maybe you wouldn't slumber so deeply in that house of clay.  Why not move into your house of joy and shine into every crevice?  You are a treasure; and always have been.”  

DIDN'T YOU KNOW?

It’s the same message St. Paul gives us in 1 Cor 3:16:

 Do you not know that you are a temple of God

 and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

And so, all of you beautiful (though sometimes weary) temples, I invite you to