It’s July, y’all!
I guess with yesterday being the 4th of July I felt the need to say y’all? 🤷♀️
Anyways … it’s a whole new month over here, which means, it’s a whole new soul work theme! And for this month we decided to explore the joy of belonging.
But as I’m sure we’ve all experienced, belonging is layered, isn’t it?
There’s the sense of belonging we have with ourselves (or not), with God (or not), with the families we’re born into (or not), the countries where we dwell, our workplaces … neighbourhoods … friendship circles … hobby groups … religious affiliations … – you get the idea.
You can see how and why belonging is so complicated.
But rather than focusing on the external places of belonging we often seek out for day-to-day experience and existence, this month we’d like to invite you inward – to the internal spaces of presence where you can sit with what belonging means and ask The Holy to reveal where your truest and deepest sense of belonging lies.
As you make time today (and the rest of this month) to sit with the following prompts, print off this month’s illustration-offering for times of personal praxis and spend time in sacred pause as you consider the soul work of belonging.
We leave you now with wise words from Brené Brown:
“True belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”
– With Joy
Pause for Practice
Visio Divina is an ancient way of Christian prayer in which space is created to listen and pay attention to the Holy at work by entering into a sacred image. This form of praxis is an invitation into the S.A.C.R.E.D. art of seeing, and the art below is this month’s featured offering for your time of reflection.
- Step 1 – Stillness: Find a comfortable place of quiet. Take a few deep breaths. Invite God’s presence.
- Step 2 – Acknowledge: Gaze gently over the entire image, allowing yourself to notice as many details as you can – shapes, colors, lighting, foreground, background, and symbols.
- Step 3 – Center: Notice what captures your attention, what your eyes are drawn to, or where your thoughts linger. Notice what inspires you, and perhaps what you might also be avoiding.
- Step 4 – Reflect: Meditate on any part of the image that has captured you. How might God be speaking to you through this? What might the message and meaning be? Is there an invitation in this for you?
- Step 5 – Express: Find words or a prayer of your heart to articulate the thoughts, emotions, memories, or desires that have awakened. Give voice to the insights you’ve gained.
- Step 6 – Dwell: Savor this sacred time. Rest in simple silence. Linger in the holiness of this space and place of practice.
Click here for a high-res / full-print version of this art.
A Blessing to Ponder
May you listen to your longing to be free.
May the frames of your belonging be generous enough for your dreams.
May you arise each day with a voice of blessing whispering in your heart.
May you find a harmony between your soul and your life.
May the sanctuary of your soul never become haunted.
May you know the eternal longing that lives at the heart of time.
May there be kindness in your gaze when you look within.
May you never place walls between the light and yourself.
May you allow the wild beauty of the invisible world to gather you, mind you, and embrace you in belonging.
Source: To Bless the Space Between Us, by John O’Donohue
A Prayer to Pray
O Divine Love who dost everlastingly stand outside the closed doors of the souls of men, knocking ever and again, wilt Thou not now give me grace to throw open all my soul’s doors?
Give me an open ear, that I may hear Thy voice calling me to high endeavour. Too often have I been deaf to the appeals Thou hast addressed to me, but now give me courage to answer.
Give me an open mind, to receive and welcome such new light of knowledge as it is Thy will to reveal to me. Let not the past ever be so dear to me as to set a limit to the future. Give me courage to change my mind, when that is needed.
Give me open eyes, quick to discover Thine indwelling in the world which Thou hast made. Let all lovely things fill me with gladness and let them uplift my mind to Thine everlasting loveliness.
Give me open hands, ready to share with all who are in want the blessings with which Thou hast enriched my life.
Amen.
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If you would like to share this issue of PAUSE – via text, social media, or email – just copy and paste this link: https://joyover.com/pause/july-5-2023
- Click here for previous month’s art offerings
