Sharpen the Soul

  The Dialogue

Question:

Hey Mister, what’s wrong with that saw….

It’s not cutting.

Answer:

No, I guess it isn’t, is it?  

Response:

Have you tried sharpening the blade?  

Answer:

Oh no, I am much too busy to do that. 

For some reason, I have never forgotten this trite dialogue from a magazine over 20 years ago.  It tells me in simplest, straightforward language that my spirit needs to be revitalized regularly.  Kathleen Norris, the author, says that no matter what time of the year, we need to turn over the soil in the soul for new planting—or it hardens and resists both seed and water.  

Goethe Joins the Dialogue

A person should hear a little music, 

read a little poetry,

 and see a fine picture everyday,

in order that worldly cares,

may not obliterate 

the sense of the beautiful,

which God has implanted 

in the human soul. - 

                                                   Goethe

So What do You do to Sharpen the Soul?   

Whatever you can do to step out of the box of your routine which refreshes your life--you ought to plan intentionally to do just that--daily.  For me, it is some kind of creative act--like sitting at this keyboard, writing these reflections for myself--and if somebody else gains from it, great!  But what we do, do for the soul.  So that is your question of the day--how you answer is everything and nothing.