Reprieve
“And
then something happened. It was a fragment of time, a breath of time.
It was like being in a car in pouring rain and driving under an
overpass and just for that second there is a profound, powerful sense
of reprieve—the utter silence of non-rain.”
Jaclyn
Moriarty (A Corner of White)
Have you ever had a
strong sense of reprieve? It doesn't happen very often, but when it
does, it comes with a deep sigh and the lowering of your shoulders.
Usually, in my experience, it comes in the form of a medical
report—“Your lab tests show no signs of …” whatever I'd been
holding my breath about. That great sigh is followed by “Whew!”
and usually, “Thank God!” I can see scenes from “not guilty”
jury verdicts and folks I love opening what they think may be a huge
bill and finding a small check instead. We all have small hallelujah
moments of reprieve.
We can grant ourselves
one of those moments by letting go of whatever we're carrying around
that's got our back and shoulders tight, our nervous system on high
alert, or our guts in a knot. We can simply imagine ourselves laying
that burden down and walking away. Active imagination can truly help
with this. Here's an example: Let's say there is a
person you haven't forgiven for some slight that happened long ago,
or more recently. You've had that nasty little bit of information
tucked away in your “keeper-bag” so it will be handy when you need
it. See yourself taking it out of that bag. Don't worry about what
form it takes when you pull it out. It's okay just as it is. Take a
look at it, turn it over in your hands, and appreciate that it's been
with you for a long time. But now, it's time to let it go. In your
imagination, find an appropriate place for it, whether a river, a
grave, a fire—whatever means your imagination chooses—and lay it
there, or toss it in. Bless it, and bid it farewell. Then walk away
and don't look back.
The late-great Nelson
Mandela said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then
hoping it will kill your enemies.” He was right. Take the
reprieve when it's offered. Appreciate being off the hook. Breathe
deeply. This is what freedom feels like.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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