Feb 23 2008
Healing Our Spirit
Photo Credit: Flickr Kevin Day
A few weeks ago I was working with an associate minister from my church and she recommended a cleansing exercise to help me release some concerns I was dealing with. This excercise brought me a deep feeling of comfort and calm. She recommended going to the beach and symbolically washing myself in the water by allowing it to wash over me. She then asked me to think of seven things, a combination of things I’m grateful for and that I’m creating. I chose things I’m grateful for and things I am in the midst of creating.
My task was then to stand in the surf and say a little prayer of gratitude for each of the seven things. One of mine was gratitude for the man in my life, Rob. When I finished my short prayer of gratitude for Rob being part of my life I was to throw a penny into the water, symbolizing my gratitude. I did this same task for each of the seven things I chose. When I finished I felt a calm sense of peace and comfort. It was beautiful.
I realize not everyone lives near a beach, or has access to a body of water to do this exercise. I think another option could be to write the seven items down on individual pieces of paper and do a candle ceremony and burn the pieces of paper in a safe container and allow them to be absorbed into spirit with a prayer of gratitude. As for releasing the seven pennies there are other options, dropping them in a fountain or releasing them in random places for another to find with a prayer of gratitude.
I did this exercise again today, as a new years gratitude activity.This time around I chose six things I was grateful for in my life and one thing I am in the midst of creating. I allowed the beach waves to wash over me, feeling the sand under my feet, watching the sea gulls and one at a time I said a prayer of gratitude for the seven things I chose. Six were prayers of gratitude and the seventh was a prayer of assistance and gratitude for spirit helping me create this particular situation in my life. It was a beautiful moment, one I know I will repeat again and again over the years. I like the idea of giving the pennies to the ocean, sharing my wealth symbolically and sharing my gratitude for the gifts spirit has given me.
