Last week I wrote about a lily I saw in a church that was completely dried up and slumped over. Eight hours after giving it a mere ten ounces of water, it completely came back to life. Anyone seeing that revived lily would have no idea it had been in such bad shape.
Our human spirits are even more resilient than lilies. We can make a gesture toward another that may not seem like much, but guess what? It doesn’t take much to provide refreshing to a weary soul, or to offer a reprieve for someone who’s wilting on the inside.
A smile, a gentle touch of compassion, a meaningful hug, a quick phone call to tell a family member or friend that we’re thinking about them— what would 10 ounces of life-giving sustenance look like coming from you to another beautiful human being today? Do it!
Or maybe it’s you who needs the water (hope, love, encouragement)? Are you feeling a little (or a lot) withered, wilted or otherwise dried up today? Is there any chance that small lifelines are being extended to you but you’re missing them?
Did someone make eye contact and offer a sincere greeting to you today? Did you hit a few extra green lights? Did a song you like come on the radio? Did something big or little work out in your favor recently?
Sometimes the water is sent but we’re so caught up in our problems that we’re missing the opportunity to take in the resources and the connections being offered.
Most of our problems can’t be solved with a cheerful good morning from a stranger. I know that. But if that’s what it takes to shift my attitude out of my troubles into the sweet reality of the moment, so be it.
The truth is, in this very moment, everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be. Good things are here or in the process of breaking through. Lessons are being learned to make our tomorrows richer.
Right here, right now is perfect for most of us, even if we can only believe that to be true for five minutes at a time.
Our thinking is what contributes to the majority of our “bad” moments. We can always pick our problems back up, but for this very moment, how about laying them down and noticing what’s good?
I’ve written many times about my own need to stay miserable. It’s a choice. Anger, grief and disappointment are valid feelings and need to be felt, expressed and honored. Even in the deepest periods of grief and despair, however, we need to take an emotional break and reassure the innermost parts of our soul that we really are okay, or are going to be okay through whatever situation life has brought our way.
If you’re feeling great today, be the one to give water to a friend or stranger, whatever that looks like from you. If you’re reading this and you’ve been having a difficult time, be willing to open your eyes and heart to see and receive the refreshment being offered in various forms.
A little bit of hope goes a long way! We can bounce back from life challenges completely and often better than we ever thought possible and it can start right here in this moment.
Hope is free and abundant. I’d love to hear your stories from either the giving or receiving side of hope today. Just reply to this message. I promise I'll read it and respond.
Next week, I'll share about a spontaneous lunch with a new friend I made last Saturday in the park.
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I participated in a video conversation recently where I shared about letting someone else "water" me, which was the beginning of allowing my resilient spirit to emerge from a particularly difficult time. Check out
Suffering Is Ordinary: Unwrapping the Gift of Adversity hosted by Will Pye for the TruthLover Podcast. They're mixing up a global
batch of joy at
http://loveandtruthparty.org/ so please check their site out also.
