Each evening I have been walking on my treadmill by the window overlooking a beautiful view of the mountains. For the past few days it has been extremely difficult to focus and get work done. Tasks that would normally take an hour are taking hours and do not give the satisfaction of completion. The thought of the work to be done was itself exhausting.
Yesterday morning I made up my mind that I was going to do everything to get out of this funk. I decided to start the morning by listening to my gut. My gut was requesting a long walk outside. A light jacket, headphones playing my favorite spiritual music, I set out on my usual loop around the second and third phases of our subdivision which covers 3 miles. The morning air crisp, birds chirping, azaleas and cherry blossoms in full bloom, I wanted to keep on going.
I knew I needed to get back and get ready for my first Zoom meeting of the day. Listening to my gut again, I decided to walk faster and proceed on. I continued into the third phase of the subdivision.
About a quarter mile into my meditative walk I saw a lady trying to fight the strong breeze to place a tablecloth on a plastic table in front of her driveway. A loaded red wagon was parked by the table. The black tablecloth had the words “Chattanooga Hugs” in large white letters on the sides.
Curious, I stopped at an appropriate distance and asked her what she was doing. Through her surgical mask, her eyes twinkling with her smile, she shared that she was giving away her books. I pulled out my cloth mask (made by Jane, Courtney’s mom), and putting it on I moved a little closer.
She picked a book with her gloved hands and showed me her book, Chattanooga Hugs. What a loving warm title, and appropriate especially during this pandemic. I recognized the name Susan Spurgeon. I had read about her in the local newspaper awhile back. I requested a picture and she obliged, however informing me that the picture would be much better after she had everything set up, banner and all.
I requested a pair of gloves and helped her set things up. Actually she really did not need much help at all. She was a pro. I could tell she had done this many times before. As she efficiently strapped the banners to the pole and tree, Susan shared a bit about her book (also seen on the banner). She had worked as an engineer in Pennsylvania and Maryland, she and her husband had moved to Chattanooga for retirement.
Susan said that God poked her all her life until 2015 when she finally said, “OK, I get your message.” She had wanted to title the book God Pokes, she shared, as she continued setting things up, but the title was already taken. Together with writing the book, she started the Chattanooga Hugs movement to connect the area with positive words that share love and acceptance of each other.
Everything set up she posed for a picture again, and then gave me a personalized autographed copy. What a gift! Through tear filled eyes I thanked her, and looking up said a prayer of gratitude. I requested permission to write about this experience in my blog and she obliged.
Book in hand, smile on my face, heart warm, and my soul brimming with joy, I started back home thinking about what I had experienced. I was so happy I had decided to start my day with a walk in nature, to take the extra loop, and so happy I trusted my gut instinct! And yes, I have felt contentment the rest of the day. I started reading Susan’s book, and I feel her warm hug. It is a beautifully written gift of love!
Each day we experience intuitions. Perhaps if we take time to acknowledge and listen, these intuitions may provide the answers to questions in our life. Our inner being, our spirit, knows what is right for us. It knows what directions we need to take, not just for our good, but for the greater good.
“Always trust your gut, it knows what your head hasn’t figured out yet.” —Anonymous
#REFLECT: What is your heart and gut whispering to you today?
What one knows is called knowledge. It is the function of mind which is supposed to be located in the brain. It is also a general belief that heart has its own mind, and so has the gut. That is why feelings of the heart, and gut instincts are frequently used phrases. All these minds work in their own spheres and at their own speed, many times in conjunction but mostly in isolation. It is also said that, the way to one’s heart is through their stomach, implying that the heart and minds may remain inaccessible until the stomach is full. I remember my very witty professor of surgery pointing during rounds, his finger first to the abdomen and then to the head saying, constipation down here, constipation up there. All it meant to say was that mind becomes sluggish when gut is overloaded.
While the mind’s works is analytical and logical, the heart and gut feelings are instinctive. While one may continue figuring out what the mind wants, one can trust the feelings of the heart and gut, and can act instinctively. While the mind is known to change frequently, heart felt emotions and the gut felt instincts do not falter. They not only just whisper they leave a loud impact. Many consider it wisdom to always listen to the mind but to do as the gut feels, and the heart says.
My heart, which strongly believes that destiny is supreme, is saying today that do not worry since God always does everything for the overall good of His creation, even though it may seem otherwise momentarily. My gut is whispering today that change is the law of nature. Just like the earlier good times changed to present crisis, this too will change, and the crisis will pass making way to good times again. All we need is, to do our duty to take every care and follow every precaution, to have faith, and to trust that creation is created to survive, at its terms not ours.
Masterly inactivity is today’s whisper from my heart. My heart whispers to do nothing more than necessary for survival, everything else can wait. My gut feeling is that this crisis shall pass. Patience is a virtue that invariably is rewarded.
‘Have patience my child’, whispers the Lord from the heart, ‘Have faith in me’. The gut instinctively seconds this whisper from the heart. And then I silence my mind and stop worrying about things beyond my control.