Selah – sabătica

At the first sign of a medical symptom, we pause to question what might be the cause. Why are we having abdominal pain? Why the reoccurring headaches? Why does it hurt when we do this or that? Quite often, after we try to diagnose the problem, we attempt to heal ourselves or decide to call a doctor to have him/her take a look. The consultation is often followed by a series of tests in order to determine what our symptoms may be trying to tell us. Granted, some of us are hypochondriacs and only make it to the doctor’s when we are running out of options; however, when we see an unusual sign, we instinctively want to find out what’s wrong. Why is that not the case for our emotional health?

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, C. Dorvil 05.16

I remember times when I walked around “functionally” depressed, hiding behind multiple masks and angry like a ticking time-bomb. It wasn’t until I was broken open by yet another unexpected major loss that I finally surrendered and was able to deal with the real issues behind my sorrow. What came from that was not only healing and freedom but also a keen awareness of the necessity to regularly and intentionally assess the state of my emotions in order to both maintain wellness and avoid once again reaching emotional distress.

So, what is causing you to be so angry, to get offended so easily? What is behind your depression [mild or acute], your fear? Emotional wellness doesn’t happen overnight but it does require that we take the first step, that we pay attention to the symptoms before it is too late.

The Wellness Initiative aims to do just that, to give you a safe and serene space to self-evaluate, to identify and address the underlying issues of your emotional state.

I hope you can make it, but if not this time, I encourage you to be intentional and to make your emotional wellness a priority.

Selah,
Christine

The Wellness Initiative
June 4, 2016
10:00am – 3:00pm
9:30am Coffee & Mingle
Fee: $50
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
151 Brookdale Road (off High Ridge Road)
Stamford, CT 06903

Notwithstanding our Adamic nature, we enter the world pure, light, as a blank canvas. Yet, somewhere along the way, we start to amass and hold on to words, gazes, feelings, habits, disappointments, worries, broken dreams, broken hearts – things that weigh heavily on our souls; burdens that can keep us crippled and forever lost, if not deposed of.

Those weights, without a doubt, may require some heavy lifting – counseling, rehabilitation, even major life alteration. However, despite the pedigree, well-regarded credentials or even methods from which we seek help, nothing substantial or lasting will occur without a firm resolution for change and a total return to the source, our Creator.

More often than not, those heavy weights become obstacles that keep us from the relief and renewal we need. But not to despair, for the divine umbilical cord that ties us to God is never cut. It may not always seem visible to the natural eyes but it is there; we only have to find our way back home, back to our point of origin.

God created each and every one of us with our own unique identifiers and pathways to His loving arms. He has given us His Spirit and has endowed us with the mental and spiritual acuity, authority and the ability to desire and affect change in our lives.

God is a caring and restoring God who has granted to us everything pertaining to life and who has placed us in a beautifully crafted world, filled with immediate remedy for our mind, body and soul; if only we would, even for awhile, stop running, stop hiding, stop procrastinating.

For sure, there are times when spiritual guidance, counseling and deliverance are essential; yet, their pursuit does not negate our responsibility or eradicate the powerful force that resides in us and with which we ought to grab hold of our divine destiny, speak to our souls like King David did, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Put your hope in God” and allow Abba to care and nurture our deepest wounds and fears, just like He did for Elisha.

Get up! Stand still for awhile! Observe the marvelous beauty and remedy that are all around you! Surrender! Find your way back to the pure, light, blank canvas. For His invitation still stands; like the one He offered in Matthew, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Again in Mark, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” and in Isaiah, “…only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength…”

Come, stop, listen, relish, restore to lightness…this is Sabătica and the invitation still stands!