Savoring & Surprise

So to begin weaving some of this week’s strands together, how do we practice to overcome our miswantings, particularly our misguided desires for more, more, more?

Perhaps we deliberately take time to notice and appreciate what is already there - a practice known as savoring.  

A well-known spiritual director describes savoring as spiritual practice this way:

I suggest that you take some time to notice things around you. Look, listen, smell, taste, and touch what surrounds you. You’ll be surprised by God, I’m sure…Such smelling (or looking, tasting, etc.) can be a spiritual exercise: we forget ourselves, at least a little, and focus on the other. This can be called contemplation. What it does is quiet our inner lives so that God has a shot at surprising us. - Fr. William Barry, SJ, Experiencing God in the Ordinary

Would you like to be surprised by God? What if savoring is a way of recognizing heaven breaking through- deliberately noticing and reveling in all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Phil 4:8)?  

We can savor simple pleasures - delicious food, a beautiful sunset, an incredible midday nap. We can savor sweet and unexpected moments of deep connection - hanging out late at night with a good friend; a song that comes on and touches your soul; prayer that nobody else sees or hears when you wake in the middle of the night.

You’re invited to take a moment right now to practice. Ask God to help you notice the beauty of your present moment, wherever you are. Or call to mind a recent experience of joy. What did/does it feel, sound, taste, look or smell like? Sit with God in whatever sensations come. When you feel ready to continue your day, close your time with a simple prayer of thanks.