Weighted

Weight is taking up a lot more space in my mind than usual. I bought a kitchen scale last month because weighing baking ingredients is more accurate than measuring them with cups and teaspoons. My doctor’s scale found a few extra pounds on me, so I’ll be more careful about how much I eat until they are gone. Helping my son’s college friend move reminded me that box size isn’t as important as what’s inside. When I write, and when I speak as a teacher or tutor, I weigh my words carefully. Weight matters.

Heavy. Light. Evenly distributed. Out of balance. Over. Under. Feather and paper: these mean something specific when they refer to weight. And weight means something for me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Since the weight of things is on my mind, I’m trying something new. I am going measure it all with a spiritual scale.

My physical weight determines whether I feel comfortable in my clothes and it affects how my body works. Spiritually, it tells me that I need to be more mindful of how I care for my soul’s home in this world.

What weighs on my mind is usually is something I choose, and definitely something I can change. Am I spending too much time preoccupied with matters of little weight? Am I giving more time and energy to what makes me world weary, or what carries true meaning? Centering prayer is a good way of lightening and rebalancing my mental content.

I think weighing my emotional baggage on a spiritual scale is a good way to let go of whatever is useless or harmful. Resentment is a burden that adds nothing to me or the larger world. Anger, jealousy, envy – such vices are so heavy to carry.

I want to walk lightly through this adventure that is my life. Every so often, that means dropping some weight…

Tipping the Scales

2 thoughts on “Weighted

  1. William H. Albritton

    “Anger, jealousy, envy – such vices are so heavy to carry”…and I add worry–all weigh heavily upon the heart and soul, as they say. Wise words you offer here–shedding the weight of such generally non-constructive thoughts and emotions is a truly uplifting experience — the Psalmist entreats us (Ps.55:22) to cast our burdens upon the Lord and receive sustenance. This is so true for me. Thank you for the reminder!

    Reply
    1. Johnna Post author

      Worry is a huge one! Thanks, Bill, for adding it to the list. I think it’s one of the most common burdens we carry…peace, Johnna

      Reply

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