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I have been trying desperately to find an article I read many years ago. It was a book excerpt actually. The author spoke about modern life and its effects on women. In some ways, we had it easier in the good old days. Yes, we can vote, we can own property, we are less likely to die in childbirth but our spirits are not made for this modern life. Anciently, Old Testament, probably New Testament as well come to think of it, women gathered around the well every morning and every evening for water. They strolled through the markets daily shopping for produce and daily needs. They lived in communities, real communities not suburbs. In our modern life, even with the things I love about it.....like hot water for baths, always my favorite and all my appliances that make my work easier, women are missing the things that we need the most....each other. We are isolated. We can go through a busy day of running errands without actually speaking meaningfully to other person. Maybe that is why communities like this become so important to us. Yet, in a way, it is sad that this is the best interaction most of us have. I have a few long distance friends who have become like sisters to me. I would love to cook some of them meals, or watch their children, or even sit around and quilt. The other thing this article talked about which was very helpful to me was something called the five finger rule. To nurture our spirits, we women should everyday do something spiritual, something physical, something intellectual, something creative, something social. Even if it is something small. I have been trying to do this the past few days. I have become a dull girl lately. I have been neglecting myself and I think, even my family, because I have not been allowing myself to be the full person God meant me to be. All for good intentions of course, but nevertheless, once you know better, you are obligated to do better. So I am trying to follow the five finger rule. The first day I had to try hard to do one thing in each category. The second day, I did two in some of them. The third day, my eyes were opened and I saw how each thing I did in my life feel into one of this categories. Hard to describe but it was a very expanding, waking-up kind of feeling. I found myself doing more, realizing as I did it, I was nurturing my own spirit in one of five ways. Even just putting the blankets on the clothesline instead of calling one of the children to do it.....put it in physical. I took extra care to fix my two little girls' hair.......I thought "wow, how creative I am being". LOL So far today I have: Spiritual....said morning prayer and read my scriptures (I am in Psalms) Physical....took my morning walk and continue to try to eat healthy and keep my calories down Social.....wrote an email to a friend Intellectual.....does writing this entry count as intellectual? Still need to do creative What does the pile of laundry in my room that needs to be folded count as? Physical? Not so much I think. Maybe I can watch a documentary while doing it....intellectual. Cooking show....hey there is my creative. Or have the children help me.....social. Stephanie |
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