Happy Wednesday, friends!
Did you know the theme for Earth Day this year is “Invest in Our Planet?”
Invest is such a great word, isn’t it? It aligns nicely with the concept of renewal (our soul work theme for this month), but it also ushers with it a few nudges towards purposeful reflection: Where are you investing your thoughts? To what and whom are you investing your attention? How are you choosing to invest your precious time and energy?
It’s with these questions in mind we invite you take some time today to pause and consider the soul work prompts below from this week’s intermission.
But beyond today, might we also extend an idea?
On Saturday, April 22, 2023, might you consider joining alongside millions of others around the world in the practice of honoring Earth Day?
As you place yourself out on the land, with feet grounded and hearts attuned to sacrality of creation, may you feel and know God’s renewing presence.
-With Joy
For a visual cue to aid your personal quiet times, find our renewal illustration offering here.
Pause for Thought
“Within the grip of winter, it is almost impossible to imagine the spring. The gray perished landscape is shorn of color. Only bleakness meets the eye; everything seems severe and edged … Yet beneath the surface of winter, the miracle of spring is already in preparation; the cold is relenting; seeds are wakening up. Colors are beginning to imagine how they will return. Then, imperceptibly, somewhere one bud opens and the symphony of renewal is no longer reversible. From the black heart of winter a miraculous, breathing plenitude of color emerges.”
“To Bless the Space Between Us,” by John O’Donohue.
Pause for Practice
The following practice is a 3-minute visual contemplation exercise.
As you take a few moments to watch and contemplate the following time-lapse of flowers in bloom from National Geographic, consider God’s invitation for you regarding your own life. As you watch these flowers opening, unfolding in beautiful slow motion, hold space for what might also be slowly unfolding for you. Ask God to reveal it.
Pause for Examination
Grab a journal, a pen, your favorite beverage, and consider the following question: What might be starting to bud, blossom, or bloom within a previously dormant area of your life? Look for signs of life.
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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/april-19-2023
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Click here for previous month’s art offerings
P.S. May you be as open toward life’s new and surprising unfolding’s in the same way *this guy* is owning his wardrobe choices. May we all be so bold 🙂 .
