She must learn again to speak
starting with I
starting with We
starting as the infant does
with her own true hunger
and pleasure
and rage.

-- Marge Piercy

Exprayeriment #15 -- Yes, More YES

God, help me remember that you are ever-present
and that your love is everlasting.
Inspire me to live from a place of "Yes,"
which is the doorway to infinite possibility.

-Alizabeth Rasmussen

For last week's Exprayeriment you found your "yes" anthem, and this week you're going to play with expanding that "yes."  (Note: if you need a reminder about last week's Exprayeriment, or anthem options, click here.)

We all have situations and areas of our lives that tend to inspire a "no" response, in the form of denial, resistance, or procrastination.  This week's Exprayeriment is to explore what happens in those situations when you consciously cultivate an attitude of "yes."

The first order of business will be to reconnect with your anthem from last week (or choose a new one for this week, if you'd like).  After you listen to your song, take 5-10 minutes to just rest inside the "yes," letting the feeling of it settle in.  You may encounter some resistance or thoughts that pull you away, and that's okay.  Just pay attention and when you find you've drifted, gently bring yourself back and try to reconnect with the feeling.  (You can always hit "play" again if needed!)

Next, bring to mind a specific situation that you'd like to be able to approach with a greater sense of ease or positive expectation.  Something that, in a perfect world, you might not have to do or deal with at all, but is a necessity in your real and less-than-perfect world.  Imagine what it would look and feel like to show up in that situation as your anthem embodied.  If there other people involved, how would they respond to you?  How would you feel about yourself?  What possibilities open up as a result of your willingness to approach the situation from a place of "yes?"

You likely have many good reasons for dreading or disliking the circumstances, but remember that God is bigger than history, more powerful than any challenge, and capable of bringing forth good in ANY situation.  If we let Him.  We just have to give Him an opening - even a tiny one will do - so He can do His thing.

And as we've already established, God loves a good anthem.  So go ahead - let the music work through you, let it inspire you, let it create the space for miracles.

And then...let us know what happens.  We anxiously await your insights, experiences, challenges, questions, musings, a-ha moments...and anything else you'd like to share. :-)

Exprayeriment #16 -- Praying The Hours: Matins/Vigils

A Beautiful Mess