We have entered the season of Advent, as we anticipate and count down towards Christmas.
I generally love pretty much everything to do with Christmas, but I love it in December.
Not before.
As we finish our musings on the Seven different types of rest that we need, the last one fits well with Advent:
Spiritual rest.
Now this means spiritual in the broadest sense – connecting to something bigger than ourselves, that brings us purpose, meaning and a sense of belonging. It does not necessarily have to refer to faith, although if you have one, Advent is a great time to experience and connect with God, Emmanuel.
Spiritual rest in Advent might look like taking that extra minute to really notice people. To choose to say hello, make eye contact, and smile to the people we pass in the shops or street or subway. It can be all too easy to see them as In The Way because I have Things To Do. But we are all part of the shared common humanity, and seeing people for the unique and precious people they are takes no longer than ignoring them.
Perhaps we can pause and take that extra minute to choose to see what is going on below the surface with our loved ones. Rather than being preoccupied with what is going on in us and what is next on our list, to simply see and appreciate the person in front of us in that moment, and connect with and value them.
As I put decorations up around the house, I am reminded of the gift of connection with loved ones past and present. I see the special bauble that belonged to my much loved and long departed grandparents. And I smile at the ghastly decorations made by my children at nursery many years ago, and am grateful for who and where they are now.
Spiritual rest is also about self care and connection.
Spiritual rest is also about how we care for ourselves and our understanding that each of us is unique and of value, and worthy of some care.
I love this definition of self care from Emily P Freeman:
Self care is listening within and responding in the most loving way possible.”
It strikes me that Advent is a wonderful time to practice this kind of spiritual rest. Learning to stop, notice, wait and create space to listen within in the midst of all the noise and preparations and hype.
What is it I really need now? What simple act of kindness can I do for myself? For someone else?
These are simple questions, but Advent is a great time to be present to what IS even as we wait for what is to come.
Advent is a season of waiting, and yet often we lose sight of this in all the busyness, build up, and preparations. What does it mean to wait well?
What are we waiting for – not just at Christmas, but in our lives in general?
Advent is also the anticipation of Christmas, whatever that might mean to you. Central to that is love, grace, generosity, hope and peace. But I know that these things can quickly get trampled out of my life in the weeks running up to Christmas, as my focus slips and my mind becomes preoccupied.
So I give you this as food for thought –
“Being made to wait has another benefit. It helps us figure out what we truly want and what really matters to us. . . Remembering that some things are worth waiting for helps us decide what it is that is worth the wait, and to prize it truly when we do receive it.”
MJ Ryan in The Power of Patience
