Ironing Meditation

It’s December 27, and all is back to normal. The wrapping paper and bags are stored away; baking equipment and supplies are organized, bagged and stacked; and my morning quiet time has returned. This morning, I woke up to the sight of a row of work shirts waiting to be ironed, and a bin of sheets and towels waiting to be washed.

When faced with ironing, I usually set up the ironing board in front of the television and watch whatever is on as I work through the pile. Not this morning; this morning, I set it all up in the kitchen, put on the iPod, and meditated as I ironed.

Six work shirts were hanging there on the ironing stand. Instead of dreading the task, I was serene in my meditation, thankful for what each shirt represented. As I listened to quiet music, I ironed the rainbow of dark purple, navy blue, royal blue, lilac, and two whites. I thought of how the logo on the front of each shirt, the collars, plackets, sleeves, and buttons collectively represented a turning point in my life in 2014. I transitioned from a job that brought stress, angst, and tears, to one that offered serenity, creativity, a sense of family, and the ability to telework from my home base in Santa Fe to my work base in Amarillo.

My meditation this morning was all about gratitude, and perspective. I don’t “have to” iron; I don’t “have to” go to work next week; I don’t “have to” bundle up in the cold winter morning to drive to work. Instead, I “get to” do all of these things. I get to go to a wonderful job that puts a roof over our heads, a car in my driveway, food on our table, and a plan for a comfortable retirement next year. I get to live in a wonderful home with a furnace that keeps kicking on with a comforting hum, keeping us warm as the thermometer reads 20 degrees outside. I get to delight in the mixed scents of spray starch and lilac coming from the clothes dryer, the taste of a slice of nut bread that was part of a Christmas gift, the sound of a soft piano melody in my earbuds, the touch of each button that I fasten on the shirts, and the sight of special Christmas gifts stacked next to my lounge chair. I am aware that I have so much, and often take it for granted in my daily routine. It’s a meditation about gratitude and perspective.

A cat sleeps on top of the pile of fluffy, lilac-scented towels; I won’t wake him. I’ll wait until he jumps down before I put them away. Such is the serenity of gratitude.

Reflections on the Beatitudes – Part Eight (final)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:11"

 

I listen to the Daily Audio Bible every day. By listening every day for a year, I can “read” the Bible in its entirety; the year 2014 marks the second time I have taken on the challenge. From the Old Testament, through the Psalms and Proverbs, through the New Testament, there are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. Each day, the Daily Audio Bible has chapters from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, so in the next week, we will finish all four sections.

In listening to the Bible, I hear and reflect on all of the people who suffered persecution for their religious beliefs, sometimes with horrific details. How can anyone possibly ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter? How can anyone go to prison because he speaks beliefs that are contrary to those of the King’s? How can anyone join in a crowd that is shouting, “Crucify him!”? How can a father send his child out into the wilderness on the demand of his wife, who arranged the surrogate birth in the first place?

Is it simply a reflection of the times, and the sense of right and wrong between then and now? Even as I reflect on the mores of the 50s and 60s when I was raised with those of today, I can see the contrast and only pray for wisdom and discernment as I go about my daily life.

Still, I flash forward and compare the Bible stories to the stories of today – we have analogous situations today. Not so long ago, young adults turned away from their families to follow a charismatic cult leader, and committed suicide at his request. Today, militants behead prisoners, and post the gory details on the Internet for all to see. Neighborhoods are burned and looted by those who become so righteously indignant by their perceived injustice that they cannot control their emotions. Police officers, who must decide in a split-second whether their attacker is mentally impaired before they shoot, are forced to live in anonymity for fear of their lives and those of their families.

I would like to believe that justice truly is blind, and that in this rapidly-advancing technological age, we can become enlightened enough to rise above the terrible images and not perpetuate the persecution. We can catch a glimpse of the image in a thumbnail version and simply not click on it. We can wait for the justice system to work its course, and honor the decisions of impartial juries. I ask myself, would I be willing to be persecuted because of righteousness, or would I shrink into the darkness? I like to think that, as a result of constant prayers for wisdom and discernment, I would make the right decision, out in the bright light of wisdom, and that decision wouldn’t be for naught.

 

Reflections on the Beatitudes – Part Seven

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

I have read or listened to many motivational speakers, teachers and mentors say, “I don’t read or watch the news anymore. That’s how I maintain my bliss.” I can understand their sentiment, but I can’t accept it. I can’t maintain my bliss simply by pretending that all the bad things in the world don’t happen. Knowing that bad things are happening is not the same as learning how to do all the bad things and following the leader; nor is it the same as “willing” the bad things to happen simply by thinking about them, or “willing” them to go away. Rather, I believe I must accept the knowledge in the news and do something with it, either directly or indirectly.

St. Ignatius said, “Pray as if God will take care of it all; act as if all is up to you.” The American Red Cross didn’t come into existence simply because Clara Barton thought it was a good idea and told a few friends about it. No, Clara and a circle of her acquaintances actually founded the American Red Cross because they saw that the war-injured needed medical assistance and support and they did something about it. It took resources – financial, people, equipment, time – but they got it started. Now, in the wake of a hurricane, massive flooding, or a house fire, the Red Cross is there because people have provided the time and resources to ensure it is ready to respond.

I may be too shy or timid to organize a protest, but I can certainly support the cause by sharing my financial resources or sharing the news of the protest with my circle of influence. I may have to choose between using my limited free time to clean my home rather than attend a rally for something I believe in, but I can still act in a small way by engaging in a debate to share my knowledge with someone who has an opposing view – not to change his or her mind, but just to let them know there is another view, another choice they can make. I can give the school bake sale table a financial contribution without buying a calorie-laden cupcake. I can write to my Congressman to influence his vote on a policy issue. I can share a post on Facebook when something or someone touches my soul.

On the other hand, I can take on a Big Hairy Audacious Goal to change the world, like Clara Barton. Little or big, I must act as if it is all up to me. I still remember singing in my high school choir at Christmas time: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Blessed are the Peacemakers.