Summer is full tilt and so are the many gifts and challenges of the season. What do you savor during the summer? Watermelon, floating in the creek, fragrant vibrant blooming flowers, a beach vacation or another change of scenery? And what about the challenges? How do you cope with those?Each of us has our own experience of “summer soul clutter”. For many of us, the changes in our schedule and the lack of routine can pull us away from the order, peace and calmness we desire. We may have house guests or travel plans that crowd out spaces for reflection, silence and solitude. The next thing we know, we feel weighed down yet empty. Our minds seem cluttered and loud; and our spirits flat. This state is what I am coining (per my recent personal experience) “SUMMER SOUL CLUTTER”.
I was recently reading through spiritual director Katie Haseltine’s book on praying the Examen, and was struck by how much I related to her description of what happens when our soul becomes cluttered. Similar to walking into a cluttered physical space and becoming stressed and overwhelmed by the chaos, we encounter stress and disconnection from our selves and God when our souls become cluttered.
When I recently realized that I was feeling weighed down and separated from the truth of who I am and whose I am, I began to do what I call a “soul autopsy”. I looked at the symptoms, and then explored the conditions that led to the symptoms. Bingo. My spiritual practices had gotten crowded out, codependency was rearing its ugly head, and I had abandoned my own needs (spiritual, physical, emotional, and creative) in order to take care of the needs of everyone else around me. Classic enneagram 2 behavior!
The good news today? God never leaves us when we fall into desolation and soul clutter. Our loving God promises to pour out fresh grace. This time, fresh grace came through the words of Emily P. Freeman, in fellow spiritual director Katie Haseltine’s book, All the Things (I highly recommend 😉).
Becoming a soul minimalist means “clearing clutter and creating space for silence, letting your soul know it’s safe to come out, and making room to listen.” She goes on to quote Freeman who says, “Stillness is to the soul as decluttering is to a home. Silence and stillness allow you to sift through your day. The silence serves as a colander helping you decide what to hold onto and allowing what you don’t need to gently fall through, making space to access creativity and courage, quieting to hear the voice of God.” (Emily P. Freeman, The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions)
I invite you to join me in carving out the time and space to hear the voice of God in these remaining days of summer; as well as to intentionally make plans for the 2022/23 year…asking God to give you some “good orderly direction”. Perhaps consider joining Nita Andrews and my “Heart Wise” growth group. This group will help you notice what is happening in your heart and soul. Together we can wonder and wander into the terrain of your soul.
May the remaining days of summer offer you moments to savor its gifts.