A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to share the following during Mass. I’m delighted to share it hear on our website.
I was recently caught by surprise by a familiar phrase in the Plough magazine. It was a new spin on an old, familiar question. A question I had used several times already that day. This question is so familiar and used so often that we rarely hear, or pay attention to the answer given, and it is seldom answered from the heart.
Have you guessed it yet?
How are you today?
The surprising change in the version I read, prompted me to re-read it to see if I had got it correct.
Then came the WOW moment…
“That’s different,” I thought. “It demands heart based listening, and also courage. It is risky.”
This new spin on the old, familiar question presents and an expectation, a willingness to spend time. It does not allow for a quick and distracted, “that’s great”, before walking away in a rush to get on with the task at hand, as so many of us do.
You may be wondering by now, what this transformed question is.
How is your soul today?
Powerful, isn’t it? I took 60 seconds to be with it.
I encourage you to do the same. Sit comfortably, eyes closed, or open if you prefer. Breathe deeply….1….2….3……
Now breathing normally….
Say it to yourself, “How is my soul today?”
What are the emotions you feel? What are the sensations in your body? What is the feeling in your muscles, are they tight? Relaxed? Place your hand on your chest as you say the words again… 30 seconds…
This time, really listen and tune in to the feelings and sensations.
Now, how would it feel if the question was posed to you by a stranger…a family member… a friend?
Now imagine how you would feel posing the question to others.
Remain as you are for a while, and now remember…the One who created you, knows you through and through, even down to the number of hairs on your head, yes, even the ones you’ve shed today on your comb or in the shower.
How is your soul today?
Don’t be anxious about answering, the Lord knows the answer, even if it is unclear to you.
Our God loves us beyond measure, finds pure joy in our being, is crazy with delight over us, so enjoy God asking you… How is your soul today?
Will you be asking others? I encourage you to try.