The Sacredness of Ordinary Days…

Honor the sacredness of ordinary actions within ordinary days.

So often we travel to retreat centers or monasteries or beautiful landscapes to experience the sacred.  We set ourselves apart for a time and draw near to the heart of God.  These are good and wonderful places and activities.  Sometimes you will hear them called mountain top experiences and in the same breath you will hear people say…”but you have to come off of the mountain.  You can’t stay there.”  It’s as if the presence of God is attached to time apart or a place.   

I find that drawing near to the heart of God is a loving choice that can be made in any and all circumstances and for any and all activities.  Think about it.  Consecrating our lives and activities to the Holy One…we can do this each and every day. It’s about intention and an attitude of the heart that draws ever nearer to the heart of God.

This is done in simple, profound ways by intentional living. I do this is by beginning most mornings with a ritual of English Breakfast tea, perfectly brewed with cream and sugar in the way of the United Kingdom where I spent my little-girl years. This delightful habit reminds me to fill my own cup. What a simple reminder that I matter!

Many mornings, I read good literature and create beautiful watercolor meditations with images and poetry. I tune in to my state of mind then let the associated feelings flow onto the page. Some days the images are of beauty and abundance. On other days, the images contain sadness and tears. Knowing the Holy One is with me in the sadness and tears as well as the abundance is a great comfort.

This time of reflection is a healing balm for my soul but sacredness doesn’t end there.  What if the simple act of cleaning my home is held as sacred?  Holding an activity, object or experience as sacred changes everything.  Cleaning our home is an act of love and care for ourselves, our loved ones and our home. Washing dishes, sweeping floors, cooking nourishing meals…when approached with intention can become precious moments…simple tasks become sacred work.

Think about times when you have encountered Divine Presence.  As you remember, notice what was happening when you noticed the presence of God.  More than likely you were tuned in to God.  We can tune in to God all the time and when we do, it changes everything!! We move through the ordinary with a greater sense of contentment as we lean into grace-filled moments.  Gratitude floods our consciousness.  Ordinary days become extraordinary.