A Season Of Preparation and Refocus

Nadia came home with the flu a week ago last Tuesday. We didn't realize it was the flu until it was too late to give her Tamiflu. When Izak came down with it Saturday night, we got him on it Sunday morning... and six days later, he is still wrecked.

Three months ago I wrote to you about ways to boost your immune system.

Unfortunately, these kids have not been consistent with their morning drink (L-glutamine and colostrum) or their vitamins. I can't help but wonder, as miserable as Izak is right now, if he will be more diligent from now on.

Meanwhile, I've been coughed on, breathed on, and slobbered on. I've collected used tissues, scrubbed dishes from their infested rooms, and feel like I'm running a hazmat operation.

And I still feel fine.

I'm a rhinoceros.

Immune strength depends on sleep, proper nutrition, sunlight, washing hands... but it's also tied to stress.

Which brings me to something seemingly unrelated - Lent.

For everyone, this is flu season. In the Catholic faith, this is also a season of renewal.

Let's Prepare - the warm up

Lent started this week on Ash Wednesday. For 40 dys leading up to Easter, Catholics fast, pray and practice generosity, serve others, and resist temptation to deepen their relationship with God.

Whether you're Catholic or not, there is wisdom here.

I began this season by reading the Litany of Humility. This year, it hit differently. Hard.

I talk often about ego and how it gets in the way of all the wonderful things I want more of in my life.

Peace. Grace. Love.

Reading that prayer asking God to free me from my need for comfort, praise, and approval felt like a body blow.

How many times, for how many years of my life, am I going to struggle to release myself from the self-inflicted bonds of my own over-active ego?

Today's prayer was more simple.

Empty me - of what disrupts my peace.

Fill me - with a desire to be more like Him.

Use me - let my words and actions reflect God.

Even if you're not Catholic. Even if you're not religious. Can you see how beautiful it would be to live this way?

Less striving. Less ego. Less noise.

More peace.

A nervous system living in peace is stronger to fight of germs and other nonsense.

Let's Work - the exercise

We can’t control every virus that enters our home, but we can control how regulated we are inside of it.

What would be the harm in putting more attention on letting go of all that we pretend to have power over, but don't?

What would be good about simplifying our lives and renewing our focus on what matters most?

After a particularly frustrating tennis drill this morning, I decided to give up cussing for Lent.

My husband is still laughing.

I'm going to have to start over tomorrow but at least I'm trying. I'm not going to add more stress by beating myself up for my imperfections.

I will love my way through these next 40 days and see what happens.

What could you limit, eliminate or add during this season to bring you more peace, joy and love?