Staying Consciously Connected to Spirit

My husband and I returned home safe and sound on Saturday night from our amazing vacation in Santa Fe.

Our re-entry didn’t go as planned because our grandson’s mom had a schedule change at work and needed us to take care of him on Sunday. Since she had to work early Sunday morning we decided it would be easier on everyone if he spent the night with us.

We got home and had just enough time to unload the car before he arrived. We were thrilled to see him after being gone for 9 days, but the gentle re-entry we had planned went out the window. Instead we had a happy, busy, curious 10-month old little angel arrive on our doorstep. He kept us on our toes making sure he was safe as he explored all of the exciting things to be discovered at Papa and Lulu’s house.

After we took him home, I reflected on the wide range of feelings I have felt the past three weeks. My son went into rehab three weeks ago today and I was in immense pain after seeing how sick he was. It took effort for me to stay in the present moment to feel my pain and not practice behaviors to numb it. I spent two weeks nurturing myself by praying a LOT, doing yoga, meditation, and journaling. Those practices supported me in staying tethered to my internal peace where I feel my connection to Spirit.

I spent last week in one of my favorite places in the world, Santa Fe, with my beloved. We savored every moment together and had an incredible time exploring that beautiful area. We did four amazing hikes, each with different topography, yet each showing us the glorious artistry of God. I find it effortless to feel my connection to God when I am hiking. Hiking requires staying present in the moment to watch where each foot is placed on the ground, but taking time to stop to rest and fully take in God’s beautiful creation.

My honey and I also spent time driving around Santa Fe looking for areas that we might want to live in our retirement years. We serendipitously found a gorgeous 12 acre parcel of land with 360ºviews of the Sangre de Christo, Jemez, and Sandia mountain ranges. We both immediately fell in love with the property and envisioned living on that land with our horses. We took chairs, a picnic, and a bottle of wine up to it and watched the sunset over the Jemez mountains. Again, it was easy to feel my connection to God and be fully in the present moment tuned into feelings of awe, joy, and love.

Then yesterday, we had a great time with our grandson. He loves water and is already learning to swim. My husband and I passed him back and forth between us in our pool.  He squealed with delight as he kicked his arms and legs and put his face under the water, coming up each time with a huge smile. Another piece of cake to feel present and connected to Spirit.

Sometimes feeling peace and our connection to Spirit is effortless. Other times, it takes intense effort to feel that connection and know that God is present in the midst of that situation.

When you are standing in the middle of a storm in your life, what practices do you have that keep you tethered to the present moment and inner peace – that place where you know that everything is unfolding in perfect, divine order?