Day 329: Soul Restoration

Mass rejuvenated me

I really really REALLY needed Mass yesterday. For so many reasons. But mostly, I was feeling a tug on my soul, as odd as that may sound.

I had a sleepless night the night before. I was tired, but feeling very peaceful and kind all day. I was also feeling incredibly present with all of my students.

I slept like a baby last night. I feel most rested, calm and centered.

I found an old journal a few days ago. It was dated 2012. A "Health Journal". I had written my starting weight and goal weight. And a plan. I can't tell you how many lose weight plans I have started over the years. Pretty much say the same thing each time. But I am pleased this time around because I actually have lost weight and kept it off since then! My starting weight then was 211 pounds. I am now stuck at 188. But this is progress!

 I recall finding journals, notebooks, scribbled with weight loss goals over the years. But usually I am heavier as I read about my old weight. I am now lighter and determined to crack the code of my eating disorder!

I am convinced that part of the formula for health is exercise. A lot of vigorous,sweat producing exercise.

But it is a vicious cycle. I am overweight, so it takes more effort to move all this weight, and I am often quite sore. I believe this is why I hold back. This and good old fear. Fear and I go way back.

But as I age, the fear is subsiding. And so is self-consciousness.

My psalm of the day is psalm 23. A very comforting psalm. I am sure it has been prayed by many in times of stress , grief and fear. It is the best known of all the psalms. I have always considered this to be a funeral psalm, but in rereading it, I agree Jerome Creach:

"Psalm 23 is more about how a person lives in relationship to God than how one faces death or finds security beyond the grave" https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1183

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I am relaxing today. Watching Doc Martin. Eating a quite healthy dinner: cauliflower ravioli, baked jalapeno popper, raw, marinated mushrooms stuffed with homemade pesto, and Greek lemon chicken soup(one of the freezer prepared meals my daughter and I prepped). 

Jalapeno popper and pesto stuffed mushrooms

Cauliflower Tabbouli

I do believe my soul has been restored.

Happy Sunday!