Bringing order to my chaotic mind

As I negotiate this period with my brother, I am finding it challenging to remain in peace and at the same time not get entangled in other aspects of my brother’s life. My role is to offer support during the cancer treatment with the intention of him living longer than the prognosis. However, I am so tempted to try to “fix” things in his life even though “fixing” other people’s problems can be extremely stressful…and most time futile.

At least I know that I have this shortcoming. “Hello, my name is Cheryl and I try to fix people’s lives.”

One practice that has helped me tremendously  is what I am sharing with others in the Sacred and Fit community: the contemplative practice of Lectio Divina. In S&F 101, I made it much too complicated by suggesting that the four parts of the practices be done four times throughout the day. With so much traveling,  I found it hard to keep up with all of that, so I just started assigning a day to a single aspect of the practice and that has been much more manageable.

Throughout the day and ESPECIALLY at meal time, I focus on a single verse of scripture. This is week #4 so it will be “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” One Aramaic translation of this verse is

Healthy are those who have softened what is rigid within; they shall receive physical vigor and strength from all of nature.

This week, I will follow this schedule that I have also suggested to S&F102 members.

MONDAY -LECTIO- choose a verse and repeat/memorize the verse throughout the day and especially at every meal

TUESDAY- MEDITIO- make the verse your own, rephrase and personalize the verse.

WEDNESDAY-ORATIO- Pray the verse

THURSDAY- CONTEMPLATIO- Listen for the deeper meaning of the verse and answers to your prayer

FRIDAY- Record your reflections on how your life has been impacted by this week's practice.

During stressful times it is tempting to let my healthy habits go. I am too tired to exercise and too busy to eat right. Behaviors like this will always be preceded by thoughts run amuck with fear and worry.  A contemplative practice, such as Lectio Divina helps bring order to a chaotic mind and therefore helps keep the behaviors in check.

So far it is working. However, my brother starts chemo tomorrow.

And yesterday, our 75 year-old-mother was upset when he got into a big argument with his seventeen year-old daughter.  As a result of the fight, the daughter locked her self in the bathroom and called her mom, (his ex-wife) who was out on a date, to come and get her.

I’ll let you know how my practice is going.