How To Celebrate A Lily Day

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Matthew Chapter 6

The quote above speaks to me of having faith that something greater than I is in charge and running this show on earth. Therefore, instead of getting worked up and stressed out, I can let go and relax. I do not have to be in control and directing everything - minutiae management.

What is a Lily Day and how do we celebrate it? First of all practically speaking, before I declare a Lily Day I do take care of the essentials that would otherwise distract me - for example, a bill to be paid, a phone call that has to be made, a meeting to be agreed. A Lily Day is a day of trust, space and peace, knowing that my basic needs are being taken care of - food, shelter, warmth - and importantly, my need to give: of my time, talents, love and joy.

On a Lily Day, there is nothing I should or feel I have to do, unless I really want to. It is a bit like having a holiday at home without the discomforts of travel and facilities that do not meet my expectations. And it is just as refreshing, potentially more enriching and it does not cost anything. It is a Day to be available to and nurture my inner spirit.

Each time I have declared a Lily Day, the experience has been so very rewarding. I let the day take care of itself. I allow myself to be moved from within. It might be to go for a walk. It could be to clear a cupboard I have been meaning to do for ages. I could sit in a comfortable chair and just do nothing, until something occurs and moves me to take action. I can even be more productive than on a "normal" planned day.

If there filing to do, but I really don't feel like doing it, I don't do it. Letters to write, people to call, shopping to do - forget it. If it is really important, I will be moved to complete it. I give my "molecules" a chance to breathe as I get off my case.

If I am dependent upon the world around me for my sense of purpose, meaning and fulfillment, I look outside of myself for validation. I seek attention and approval, compare myself to others and their successes. On the other hand, a Lily Day offers me the opportunity to view who I am, and what I do, in a whole new light. How? I am relating to myself from the inside out. My inner wisdom is working for me and guiding me. I am enriching myself.

Stresses may come not from what happens but how we respond to the events around us. But then isn't pressure often self-imposed by our expectations and the drivers of shoulds, oughts and the compulsions that we assume? How is it some people in the same circumstances remain relaxed and calm while others get flustered? A Lily Day is not opting out. It is opting in; a delicious state of surrender to that which is higher and greater than me.

The cure for exhaustion and burn-out is not rest but rather to connect with your heart and let it guide you into what gives you power. When you connect with your power there is complete relaxation even in the midst of intense action. --Davide de Angelis

A Lily Day - no expectations, no disappointments. No attachments - freedom to be you and honour your heartfelt instincts to fulfil what is right in front of you. No fuss. No bother. Know the fullness of your own spirit as it comes into alignment with what is true for you.

Happiness cannot be travelled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. --Denis Waitley

Letting go is liberating. The blessing of any release is that it creates the space for something new. The void is actually not empty. I have found that the void is actually full of the dynamic energy of who I am really am, my spiritual essence. When I have stopped driving myself and trying to fill my space with things I think will make me feel more "comfortable" - eating, watching tv, mindlessly trawling the internet- I am filled with vitality and peace.

These final quotes hint at the sweet joy available to us on a Lily Day.

As a divine being, a Soul, you bring spiritual light and love into this world. You create a space for grace to be in your life. --John-Roger with Paul Kaye (From: What's It Like Being You?, p. 109)

If you are loving God, and I mean really loving God by being centered and filled with that rather than being preoccupied with worldly concerns, then Grace abounds with you.

And whatever you do becomes a blessing. It just turns out right.
People actually rejoice that you are around.

--John-Roger with Paul Kaye
(From: The Rest of Your Life, p. 195)

Follow Anne Naylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Anne4Joy

Comments

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Ahhh, what a luscious treat to luxuriate in the preciousness that a Lily Day embraces. I am gather this wonderful concept into my heart. It is as fragrant and fresh as a big bouquet. What a blessing!

Thank you for sharing such a lovely gift.

[Glamorosa]

Hi Anne

Really enjoyed reading the article and loved the quotes by John-Roger and Paul Kaye the author 's of "The Rest of your life, Finding repose in the Beloved"

Looking forward to reading more blogs.
Nathalie

[Russell Bishop - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Anne! Great post and most welcome in these topsy turvy times. Looking forward to future columns by you.

[Cazzassss]

Thanks Anne for reminding me that it's OK I have so many Lily Days. I'm henceforth casting off the guilt. Also thanks for introducing me to the Huffington Post.

[siddag04]

I seem to have a 'Lily Day" at least once a week, when my girls are at school and it's the day that I am not volunteering there an I am at Not at work. (Friday.) I feel guilty sometimes, sitting back and watching an IFC film. I feel guilty not rushing around. But then I don't. And you know what? Everything I needed to really do that day gets done just fine. A nice meal is ready by dinnertime. The house is spruced up. The animals are all fed, I eventually sweep my walkway as I go out the door to pick up my girls.
I love the "Lily Day". I have two such significant Lily's in my life. My Great Aunt Lilian, a beauty who chose to reside in the Borrego Desert in a little house for quite a while, loving turqoise things and birds, and my little daughter, whose middle name is Lily. She was pleased to know that there is an official kind of thing called "The Lily Day", and so am I, to realize other folks like to kick back a little too and not feel bad about it.

[Anne4Joy]

Thank you for your comment. The joy of a Lily Day is much healthier than feeling unnecessary guilt. I wish you many more happy Lily Days!

Blessings to you,
Anne

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Ann, for this beautiful article!

Reading it, I realize how blessed I am to have so many of my days be Lily Days. And especially when the day is turning out not at all like I "planned", and in fact, is filled with challenge or frustration, to turn that experience in to a "Lily Day", is pretty amazing.

To me, a Lily Day is to be in surrender to what is. No resistance, no rejection of the moment, catching self constantly choosing, on each breath, and the choice is to be present. As simple as that, and then I catch myself in the complexity and exhale, and choose again.

I love the term "Lily Day". Think I'll go have one right now!

Best,
Judith Rich

[Anne4Joy]

Thank you very much, Judith for your comment. I wonder if we might have Lily Days every day..... what a wonderful way to live. I have just had a blissful Lily Day today, achieved a lot and feel relaxed and peaceful. What a blessing!

Wishing you many many more!

Blessings to you,
Anne

[lily of the valley]

Exactly!
Thank you Anne.