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)