The past month has been quite a journey. I know that our thoughts and words have power, but I hadn’t imagined that starting the series, “Practice the Pause” would result in me needing to literally take a four-week PAUSE from speaking at church, or talking in general.
And I want to pause here, and thank everyone for their prayers, cards, and good wishes – throughout this time of healing. As you will notice this Sunday, I still don’t have my full voice back yet – but it is getting stronger, and I am also planning to get some speech therapy going forward to learn how to use the voice I have to my fullest potential.
Being silent, I discovered, was not much of a challenge. As I have shared in the past, my weekly schedule affords me a lot of time “in the silence.” In fact I remember sharing, some years back, how I discovered that my over-indulgence in watching the news had been more about seeking “the sound of conversation” in my home, than listening to the actual news (though the toxic affect was the same).
I am happy to report that even with all the extra time I had – I was still not inclined to over-indulge in the news, or FaceBook; and I have been able to largely stay grounded and centered in the Present Moment – even as the news is seemingly filled with reasons to panic.
In short, this unexpected PAUSE has primarily been about further reflecting on what I’m being called to focus on in this particular chapter of my life…and in the world as it is manifesting today. I am definitely still in the process (actually I believe it will be an endless process if I engage it properly)…but I have realized some things.
The first being, that regardless of how my voice sounds at this moment, I still have things to learn and share. Second, that, more than ever, the answers and solutions we seek to the challenges the world is now facing are spiritual in nature. We are truly being called to BE the CHANGE we want to experience. And third, I am truly blessed to be sharing this spiritual/life journey with THIS Beloved Community.
Finally, I also know that this Practice the Pause series is a perfect space to engage, as I once again, seek to teach what I most need to learn. I look forward to sharing it with all of you.
Blessings and Happy Valentines Day! – Rev. Vicky
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