Wood Chips
From the shores of Lake Superior (The Third Coast)
It’s relatively easy to discern who’s a visitor in the more remote areas of Northern Michigan, especially during colder seasons of the year. A quick glance at how an individual is dressed reveals if worn-in boots and jackets are broken in. Another signal is if the individual is wearing layers: sweaters, hoodies, warm gloves, a good stocking cap or functional hat.
Studies of resiliency suggest a similar wisdom: The need for layers of protection. During this unprecedented global pandemic, it’s a good time to be reminded of what mental health folks are teaching us.
Let’s keep attention to not only what we eat, but when and how we eat. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Find a way to exercise and move. Sustain a buffer of friends and family you can check in with on a regular basis. Follow some kind of mindful spiritual practice.
One such mindful/spiritual practice that can be used is choosing to give thanks, briefly, before a meal. A moment of silence, the simple offering of a grateful heart is plenty sufficient. A prayer, whispered, or spoken softly can also serve as another expression of a balanced, integrated spirit. Here’s a simple interfaith prayer, often used in our family. I first heard at Holden Village, a retreat center in the mountains of Washington State. Try it. See how you experience the meal that follows. Eat slowly. Enjoy. We are all in this together.
“For those who have no bread, we ask for bread.
For those who have bread, we ask hunger for justice.
For this bread, this gift of food, we give thinks.”
Jon
The Cedar Tree Institute
“Wood Chips” is a series of brief reflections written by Jon Magnuson, Director of the Cedar Tree Institute.
