Piloting Faith: Being knocked upside the head...
A Word for the Day...
I was recently in an accident where I experienced a mild concussion. In response, a friend of mine posed the question: "What do you suppose you might learn from being knocked upside the head? What is seeking your attention?"
I stared blankly at her, thinking, "I don't think that is how the world works. I don't think something happens to teach us a lesson." But then I realized that wasn't what she was saying. Her question was a good one: What can this experience teach me?
The gift of "being knocked upside the head" is that you can't stare at screens very much. It hurts your eyes. You also can't think long, complicated thoughts because it hurts your brain. You can’t maintain your normal frantic schedule because you simply don’t have the energy. So, you spend time being. You just "are." Here is what I (re)discovered:
When you slow down, first you feel anxious, and then you discover you can breathe. The shock is that you didn't know you were holding your breath.
The world feels frantic with fear and reactivity. You don't have to live in that energy. You can step out or in at will. Choose wisely.
Emails, text messages and calls flow in, but most people solve their issues on their own. Let them.
When your body says stop doing something, listen. You will be rewarded with healing, creativity and awareness.
Of course, some of us have injuries that will not heal as quickly as mine, so these discoveries will feel quite simplistic. It’s also true that we all have opportunities to learn from the knocks of life. Our challenges, regardless of scale, are also our great teachers. Perhaps that is what Jesus was suggesting in his Sermon on the Mount. Blessed are the poor, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst…for they will know God. God has space to break through to us when we have the awareness to see.
Consider this week, what moments have been your great teachers? What has adversity taught you? What is seeking your attention? Do watch out. If you aren’t paying attention, I can attest that you might get knocked upside the head.
Prayer for the Week
Lord, make me an instrument
of your peace;
where there is hatred,
let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
—St. Francis of Assisi
