What Does Your Soul Care About?

While boiling water the other day, my husband made a joke saying people pay so much money to put steam in their face, but they could just do it at home while cooking! At the same time, my husband loves anything that has to do with SPA- skin care, self mani/pedicures, facials, massage therapy, sweat houses and steam rooms. He loves any little thing that takes care of his physical self and makes him feel good and refreshed. A recently added small appliance in our bathroom is an electric toothbrush. When I use it, it feels like my whole head is vibrating and I feel a bit dizzy/nauseous, but when he uses it, he says it feels like his teeth just went to the Spa! The reality is, "Soul Care" is different for everyone! 

As the timeline of our new baby quickly approaches, I'm reminded of how important it is to slow down and take care of my soul! While for me it's not in spa treatment, I'm noticing that my routines and preferences differ now than they have in the past. I used to love going for really long walks, being outdoors and appreciating God's creation. I still love movement, but walking hasn't had the same charm in my heart as it once had. If I can make it up and down the street or around a (small) loop around the neighborhood park, it feels like a huge accomplishment. Another thing I used to enjoy was playing piano. I could go to a keyboard and spend hours studying music, improvising, or playing worship songs. Lately, to my wondering, I look at the keys and my music books but feel no drive to sit down and make sound out of them. 

I don't practice daily or as often as I used to, however I did a short, prenatal yoga practice last week, and that for me felt like a spa to my muscles! Even if it's only spending 10 or 20 minutes breathing or stretching, I notice that I feel significantly less restless when I engage my body, mind and spirit in mindful movement with God. Another thing that hasn't changed is the concept of feeling cozy. Autumn is my favorite season- even in California! Sitting by a fireplace or a lit candle, with a cup of tea or coffee (depending on the hour,) and simply being there, produces so much calm and peace in me. As I write, there's soft jazz music in the background and the sound of the fireplace rustling. I feel our baby kicking inside me, and the moment feels good to my soul. 

There are things that bring peace and joy to every soul, but it can often take some sorting through the chaos and noise around us to find it. It requires discipline in order to say no to demands that we might say yes to self care. There's also a sense of responsibility in the practice. How we practice soul care is directly related to our ability to respond to what we need in any given moment.

For some, politics and current events are interesting to follow and fuels a motivation to get involved, to move, to react or to respond. I see, read, and hear now more than ever people in our nation experiencing a time of shaking and change. Though I never took much interest in the media, there is so much change happening in our international circumstances, national climate and culture, it's nearly impossible not to notice or be affected by it. With stress and tension in the atmosphere and chaos in outward environment, it's even more important to find peace, rest and care for our inner environments: our own souls, our relationships, and our communities. How can we slow down and take time to intentionally drown out the outward noise and, at times, mindless distractions? Do you have a practice of slowing down? Do you know how to be still, and take time to recharge your life with something rewarding and supernaturally beneficial? If you haven't already, try to name what that is for you.

For some, it may unfortunately take unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances- like a health issues, environmental crisis, or other devastating trigger- for them to find that place where there's no other choice but to pause. Waiting is not easy for anyone, but with patience, we can find great purpose in the waiting.  

At 35 weeks pregnant, I find myself making so many to-do lists, things-to-buy lists, things-to-cook lists! While lists are helpful at times, we have to make sure not to get lost in them! With the approaching holidays and changing weather, I find myself wanting to stay inside and stay cozy. Even though I've been inside (at home) and distanced from my friends and most of my family for the past 7 months, the introverted-ness in me is thriving and cared for. My soul recognizes this historic moment to soak in the quietness before our home is filled with baby cries and demands for their needs. While waiting for parenthood to begin, we savor the waiting!

How can our society learn this same kind of anticipation, savoring in the waiting? We wait for a cure to coronavirus; we wait for businesses and travel to open up; we wait for things to resume to how they once were. Yet still none of us know what, when or how that will be. We wait for a new term of Presidency to begin with a new leader or the same leader. How do we wait for these things? Do we wait with anxiety, fear and stress- which may eat away our mental and physical health- or do we wait with a knowing of how to savor the small moments of caring for our souls? We all have a choice. Let's wait well.

I ask myself, and I ask you: What does your Soul need? What does your soul care about? How can you care for your soul and meet these needs today? If not today, can you schedule a date with yourself to meet that need and care for your soul this week? Whatever it takes to drown out the outward noises, the stressful situations, or the people that may not be life-giving to you at this time, try it! It does take practice, but you can do it. Like me, it may be a few moments of intentionally breathing, movement that feels good in your body, or simply lighting your favorite candle or listening to your favorite music. It could be reading a book, engaging in conversation with a safe friend, or going for a walk or run. Whatever it is, it's important to find it, do it, and keep practicing with intention and purpose the deepest care you can provide for your own soul.

Please share in the comments ways that you practice soul care. I'd love to read from you, too!