Open and close doors

Reading from Wednesday, February 24, 2016 yoga class

From a book entitled "A Year of Spiritual Companionship" by Anne Kertz Kernion

I grew up Catholic and I remember giving up things for Lent and not eating meat on Friday.  I took it very seriously.   I am not a practicing Catholic, but all those rituals(one that sticks in my mind is NEVER walking into church without something covering your head) have become a part of who I am today.  The lady who wrote the above mentioned book, has a website, Cards by Anne, where I have purchased her lovely cards.   I love what she writes here:

"The season of Lent is a sacred time of reflection and spiritual growth.  A religious sister friend of mine calls it "the time to practice who we want to become."  We will never be perfect, but we can try to be more thoughtful, compassionate, and kind.  Lent... a time to pay attention to our attitudes and actions.

A story told by Thomas Merton...On a visit to another monastery, he asked one of the novices what he had learned during his first year of living as a monk.  Expecting to hear stories of enlightenment what he heard instead was, "I learned to open and close doors."  The way we open and close doors indicates whether or not we are attentive, aware of the moment, aware of other.  Each act of opening or closing a door can remind us to pay attention to the way we are living. This simple exercise can help us practice who we want to become: people who are loving, kind and considerate.

This week, bring your awareness to every door you open or close.  You'll probably be surprised by how many there are: every cupboard and cabinet door, every closet and room of your home, every outside entrance.  Allow that awareness of each opening and closing to bring you back to the present moment."