Order

Howard Thurman gave me a great gift today. I have been spending a good part of my day on Wednesdays reading and sitting in silence. Part of my reading has been to complete Disciplines of the Spirit. While it has had some wonderful insights all along, the final paragraph was exactly what I needed to hear. Here's an exert:

"The experience of love is either a necessity or a luxury.

If it be a luxury, it is expendable;
if it be a necessity, then to deny it is to perish."

I cannot get away from thinking of everything now as either a necessity--absolutely, positively cannot live without it--or a luxury--it's nice to have, but I won't die if it fades. Wow. 

Clearly food is a necessity, and I've already posted some about the food that's best for me--the necessary fuel to fill me with more love and compassion for the world. I've been thinking about other life giving things, as well as using these terms to help me order decisions surrounding me at the moment.

Because I did not get enough silence and time alone over the holidays, which I know I need, I have not been compassionate friend #1 to anyone the last several weeks. Including myself. So that's where I'm starting today. I have already begun to ask what is necessary for this moment--a clean kitchen or 20 minutes of silence and deep breathing? everyone in bed early or time together having a "dance party"? clean clothes or cat nap on the couch? talking to a friend or a trip to the gym? taking one more night-time client or setting aside time with my spouse?

Thank you, Mr. Thurman. I pray that this new order for my life will keep this person from perishing.