True, everything is shadowed by ‘this virus’ right now. In our household we’ve jokingly referred to it by, ‘that which I do not want to name,’ so tired are we of the constant narrative (and we aren’t blow by blow news watchers. We gave that up years ago.) But it’s hard to ignore the shadow, when it’s cast over everything. It weighs me down, making it hard to maintain the resilience needed to hold the postures I’ve been asked to hold. It’s good to remember though, that there is considerable freedom even within constraints, we just forget when our longing for what we can’t have overruns the sustenance that can be found in the moment.

Think about how creativity flourishes within constraints: an oil painting only uses oil paint and that’s what makes it special, a research paper focuses only on relevant sources, a poem is written by choosing words that fit a structural form, a perfect meal is made by selecting specific foods, seasonings and a specific method of cooking. We accept and apply constraints all the time, but need a little reminder when we’re forced into a situation that we haven’t chosen. But it doesn’t negate that this is the way God made us — able to flourish even under considerable constraints.

I needed a little spiritual direction to help remind me where joy was hiding in the ordinary and familiar. Practices that bring joy can can be especially helpful. A practice that brings me joy is birding. And while there is joy in finding and observing a bird I haven’t seen before, the three reasons I keep birding are more simple than that: 1) The common birds – they are always available for me to observe. So I have special affection for Crows and Chickadees and Common Yellowthroats. What’s your joy that’s near at hand right now? How can you deepen it? 2) The simplicity – all I need are my eyes, ears and feet. There are many things we can’t do right now, so reach for something that’s possible. 3) The extraordinary doorway it opens to beauty, joy in my heart and contentment.

Is there a doorway to freedom near at hand for you today?

Spiritual Direction

One Heron rose
to meet another
already circling.
Hope chased hope
in motions slow enough
for me to follow.

Rows and rows of Geese
pointed the way
across cloudless skies
while their raucous cries
cheered my heart
and claimed my attention.

Eleven new Mallard siblings
chased life fearlessly
across the pond
scrummed around the Mother.
All this on one morning
brimming with healing gifts.

© 2020 Laurel Archer