Gee, that’s a cheery title. But it is really how I am feeling these days. No real cause – no sickness, death or sadness in my circle of family and friends; no mid-life crisis; no loss or suffering. Just having trouble these days raising the energy it takes to pray or practice.
That’s why I’ve been silent for longer than usual. I do not want anyone to worry. I am looking at this as a natural cycle. Your car’s gas tank routinely runs low, why should it not be the same for our spirit’s gas tank? The question is how to fill it up again? And I am not sure I know the answer to that. I am kinda sitting around waiting for – excuse the phrase – the spirit to move me.
In the meantime, I would love to post comments from readers about how they deal with their own spiritual desert. Do you turn to certain books, scriptures, friends, family? Do you try to take hikes or walks in inspirational places? Do you seek help from spiritual advisors? What helps replenish your soul?
Now that is off my chest, I want to turn to something to pray for. I was listening to National Public Radio this morning and there was an excellent, heartbreaking story from reporter Tom Bowman about a U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan in 2006. His name was Sgt. Jared Monti, and today his family will be present with the Medal of Honor by President Obama at the White House. You can hear the original report here. What you need to know is Sgt. Monti’s soldiers came under heavy and very close fire by Taliban troops. One man went down and when another man wanted to go and get him, Sgt. Monti said No, he is my guy. I go get him. He was mortally wounded in the attempt, and as he lay dying, with his other troops trying to reach him, he called out, “Tell my family I am good with God and I love them.”
Sigh. What can I say after that? It struck me to the quick and I thought I would ask us all to pray for Sgt. Monti and his family. And if you feel so moved, there is a scholarship fund set up in his name. Here’s a military prayer that comes from Beliefnet, contributed by one of its members, named Maury1. I think you can adapt it to your particular faith by changing the divine address, if you feel the need to. I do not know what faith Sgt. Monti followed, but I would assume it was Christianity:
Dear Lord Jesus and Mary, Mother of God,
Hold all these brave souls in the palm of your hand, comfort them and their families.
Send angels of protection, love, and comfort to all the service men and women still at war,
bring them home safely and comfort their families.
We ask all our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.
– Beliefnet member maury1
Bead One, Pray Too 
Dear Kimberly,
We all feel as if we’re “running on empty” now and then, spiritually and otherwise. At least when you post about it we can all know we’re not alone in it.
The way I deal with it is by habit—sitting in my garden each morning is built into my schedule. And I don’t judge my practice, prayers, or meditation. I just show up. Works for me.
It’s been a difficult year for many!
Such a lovely post, Kimberly, and it does take courage to admit we are in a dry spell. In fact, Christine at BlissChick just posted on this! Holy synchronicity. You know, sometimes I think spiritual dryspells are exactly what we need to stay faithful to our journey, otherwise we are off and running around the world trying to find the next greatest thing to make us feel better. When what we really need is regularity (like Laura says above) and faith. Also, like Laura I just sit–in my garden at the shore. I watch, I listen, I rest. Especially after travel or a big creative spell. This weekend will be one of those for me and though it does not hold spiritual cheerleader excitement, it is soft and gentle and pliable. It is what works for me… Hugs!
Kimberly,
I’ve been running on empty for a while now myself. I hope it ends for both of us soon. It’s been a horribly crappy year and a half or so for me. Prayer beads and your blog and book have helped me in ways I would have never dreamed before I discovered them. Thank you for that.
Thank you also for the military prayer you have in this post. I think it’s much nicer than any I’ve managed on my own.
Sharon
everything has it’s season
may this your current season bring unexpected blessings and discoveries
i like to paint prayers – they help me get unstuck
It’s nice to hear some honesty and heartfelt feelings. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Here are a few of my attempts at soul nourishing.
A friend of mine gave me a book by Anne Lamott titled “Traveling Mercies,” which was just what I needed spiritually when I was going through a desert of sorts.
Currently, I am reading “The Cloister Walk” by Kathleen Norris, which I would compare to Lamott’s writings–both are funny and down to earth.
Interestingly, I am reading/read both of these books at the same time of year. Fall always brings on a sort of empty melancholy for me. Although I am reading the book above and savoring the humor, I am also trying to embrace the feelings, and just let them be there.
I received an email newsletter yesterday from the Abbey for the Arts newsletter titled, “Embracing Autumn’s Creative Energy.” (If you are not familiar with this newsletter, you can sign up for it at http://abbeyofthearts.com/blog/) Here is what it said:
“Lord: it is time. The huge summer has gone by.
Now overlap the sundials with your shadows,
and on the meadows let the wind go free.
Command the fruits to swell on tree and vine;
grant them a few more warm transparent days,
urge them on to fulfillment then, and press
the final sweetness into the heavy wine.
-Rainer Maria Rilke
Tuesday marks the Autumnal Equinox, that time when the sun hovers over the equator and everything is in balance. We are also in the midst of the Jewish Days of Awe which began last Friday with the New Moon and Rosh Hashanah and will end with Yom Kippur. I ran across this wonderful little article about the meaning of these Days of Awe and was struck by the writer’s question: What prevents you from being more of who you really are?
Last fall I learned that the leaves changing colors are actually reverting to their original hue as chlorophyll is gradually blocked. As the trees begins to pull energy inward for the coming hibernation of winter, the chlorophyll in the leaves decreases and the vibrant shades we witness are the tree’s true color.
As autumn begins, take some time to reflect where you are being invited to surrender your mask and become more truly who you already are. With fall’s energy of release, we are invited to consider the things, habits, beliefs, and attitudes which we are being called to let go of in the coming days.
Consider taking a contemplative walk and asking the questions: How do I walk in this world? How do I want to walk in this world? Allow your body to guide you into a response. Does the way you walk and move through life reflect your most authentic self? If not, how might the season ahead invite you into some time and space for reflection? What sweetness is longing to be pressed from you out into the world?”
It reminds me of the book “Dark Night of the Soul” (http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Night-Soul-Masterpiece-Literature/dp/0385029306) It also reminds me that there is a time and a place for everything.
May God bless you on your journey.
For me, the desert turned out to be a really important part of the path. Of course while you’re there, it just looks like a desert.
But in your rear view mirror you see it was part of the path – so keep on keeping on…
I hate the desert. It is a lonely place. I find no answers just more disquietness. Knowing the Israelites spent 40 years in it does not help. Knowing Jesus spent 40 days in it is ever more frustrating. Osases(?) are mirages. The desert appears interminable.