Soothed

 

“Soothed means I’ve got you…others are available and responsive, comfort and care especially when distressed or ill, vulnerability and dependence are welcome, affection. Soothed promotes healthy self-soothing and gets us to safety.”  Sacred Attachment by Michael John Cusick 

 

In order to be soothed, we must first be seen.  Yesterday, we named and noticed how hard it can be to let down the mask of respectability and responsibility we all wear.  We want to be seen as competent and in control.  The truth is, it is not good for us to be isolated individuals on an island population of only the unholy trinity of me, myself, and I.  We need others.  All life is relationships.  We need people to see us and to help soothe us.  To be sure, there are ways we can soothe ourselves.  Breath work is important ~ when we notice our breathing and intentionally slow down our inhales and exhales.  This is one way we can calm our nervous systems.  One way to do breath work is to breathe in a verse of Scripture and breathe out another.  For example,

 

Breathe in, saying, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Breathe out, saying, “I shall not want”

 

Try that a few times.  Breathing in each of those words, tasting them on the tip of your tongue, and letting each syllable sink and sing to your soul.  The Lord is your shepherd.  Each time you exhale, speak the words aloud, I shall not want.  Let those words be in conversation, not conflict, with the fact that we do want.  We want to be seen, soothed, safe, and secure in a world where those four words are not always experienced.  We want to know that our retirement is a big enough safety net.  We want to have a good day.  We want to feel loved fully.  I hold these truths lightly.  Not because I think God is shaking God’s head in disapproval at my long laundry list of wants, but because when I see my honest wants, God holds those with me.

 

Or you can breathe in to the count of four, hold that holy breath for five, and exhale for the count of six or seven or even eight.  Pro tip: when you hold your breath, do so gently, savoring this space between the inhale and exhale as if God’s very spirit is moving in you ~ because we know one of the first acts of Creation in Genesis 2 was for God to breathe us on the breath of God.  May these two practices help you feel soothed.  May your interaction with one person today help you know you are seen as beloved and soothed by such love.  May you sense a love that has you and will never let you go.  Amen.