Soul Care

A friend told me last week that “soul care” is taking a breather to relax and recuperate and, according to psychologists, the key to staying sane.

Well I’m not very good at soul care.

Last week I had a number of adventures that began with a wonderful trip home to visit friends and family and ended in an “end-of-my-rope” and “lay-in-bed-ill” kind of way. Not the best way to live my life, I have decided.

So I cancelled all my plans. From last Friday night until the end of this week my only plans are my two jobs which, trust me, are more than enough. Working 5 days a week at two jobs that translates to 7 days in a row for multiple weeks in a row is more than exhausting.

So this weekend I did things, sure, I wasn’t at home twiddling my thumbs but I did the kinds of things that will help me be most productive in the office, most friendly in the restaurant, and most importantly….NOT SICK!

It was wonderful.

It was refreshing.

I think I’m going to not-make-plans more often. Things like ALL MY LAUNDRY get accomplished. And tonight I will (hopefully and finally) make it to IKEA for a bookshelf that will save my literature from boxes on the patio. After we moved…how long ago?

The point being: Stay sane. Try soul care!

Powerful Symphonies

Words.

Music.

Art.

A message hidden within.

Today I have been overwhelmed by the power music has to move your soul. I, like Leo Tolstoy, Jenae and Frou Frou, believe that art and music and the recipient of it should be brought to the same sense of wonder, despair, or tears as the artist when they created it. It is a beautiful connection of mankind that can span generations and last a lifetime.

I don't know what is going on in your life today but whether you are in need of encouragement or thriving in blessing, I'd like to offer these three thoughts from three different (very different) artists that were given to me by people I hold dear.

1. Watch How You Go. By Keane.

Life  journeys on from one place to the next and it is your and my responsibility to guard carefully the life that we have been given despite what is left behind for we cannot know what lies ahead but we can control how we use the time that is now.

The more we rush about, the less we do...just watch how you go and be gracious with your light...the things that we have shared will soon be left behind now.

2. The Dumbing Down of Love. By Frou Frou.

Is there anything more heart breaking than a lover without love?

Love underwhelms you, no box of chocolates...music is worthless unless it can make a complete stranger break down and cry...lover alone without love, will you miss him?

3. I Don't Feel Like Dancin'. By Scissor Sisters.

I don't really think this one is as profound but in a sense, it reminds me that this is my life to lead and the only one I've got so whether I dance or not, or whether you stay or not I will be fine! And I will dance to "don't feel like dancin" until the sun goes down.

Wake up in the morning with a head like 'what ya done?' This used to be the life but I don't need another one.

What music resonates with you?

Goodbye.

How do you say goodbye?

Do you laugh at the times past? Cry at the separation to come? Toughen up and say with a shrug, "well, that's life"? 

The truth is, I don't think I know how to say goodbye.

Obviously I have before. Goodbye to family when moving to Biola. Goodbye to loved ones as they pass away. Goodbye to a wonderful story as you finish the book. Goodbye to friends as they move away. Goodbye to relationships as you realize that they aren't quite the best. Goodbye to your favorite menu item that is being replaced.

Now granted not all of those are life-changing events but there is an element of sadness that comes with each one of them.

I've been mulling this over for a number of weeks now in anticipation (and dread) of my dear friend, Lorena, moving from our wonderful Southern California home to Minnesota for graduate school. 

Now, I understand it is a wonderful school but....REALLY Lorena? You realize that it's COLD there, right???

But in all seriousness I think she summed it up best with a simple statement.

We have the rest of our lives to be friends.

And it's true. We do. A change in geography will not necessitate that we never speak. Shoot, with Skype and FaceTime it doesn't even mean we can't see each other's faces in real time every once in awhile.

So with a deep breath, a night of karaoke and a bottle of wine just for the occasion I would like to cheers to being friends for the rest of our lives.

And I'll see you next time.

A note from the author: I realize this does not help with saying goodbye to other things such as a good book or your favorite menu item but I only wish you the utmost courage as you face these difficulties and let me know how you fare!