As the yoga instructor guided us through our final relaxation exercise, she wrapped up the session with the following challenge, “Try this. For the next 24 hours see if you can only think and speak positive.” Funny. I had done yoga for about 3 years, and I can’t say I remember that kind of homework before.
My brain froze for a moment and focused on the discipline it would take should I be willing to embrace and attempt the task. “Gosh,” I thought, “Is that even possible?” But I thought it was worth the attempt.
My mind wandered off to a verse in the Bible. It’s found in Colossians 4:6 and it goes like this: Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. It’s something I have strived for since I was a teen-ager. But it truth be told? I usually fall short.
Here’s another one to ponder: The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Lk. 6:45.
And if you like ancient Proverbs, this one usually does the trick: Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
As the instructor brought us back to her world with the “Ok…it’s time to go, folks.” I rolled up my mat and picked up the routine I’d left off at the door. My first stop that night was to pick up a prescription. When I got to the counter I was informed that they had put it back in stock. Apparently, I had not come for it soon enough, and so it was returned. To top that off, the prescription, I learned, had now expired. I was duly informed that I would not be receiving any of my meds anytime soon. Great.
I am pleased to report I kept my cool. I mean hey, it was my fault after all. I ordered the stuff then forgot to go and get it. Not their error. Lesson learned.
I slept 8 of those 24 hours. But I can honestly say that happy thoughts and words filled the other 16. That was awhile ago. I am thinking this week I might revisit the challenge.
Join me if you dare.
S.
