Three Essential Things

I have the good fortune of being in a women’s contemplative book study with friends from various churches in the area. This group combines contemplative prayer and lectio divina with exerpts from a book of our choice. We just finished studying The Soul’s Slow Ripening by Christine Valters Paintner (@2018, Sorin Books, Notre Dame, IN). I felt inspired and nourished as we reflected on Celtic spiritual practices that deepen our spiritual growth. This is a book worth investing in and several of us plan on going back through it this summer to spend more time with it.

The last chapter of the book is the practice of “three essential things” — the three practices or principals that are most essential to you or that reflect most deeply who you are and what you most need in your life. Sometimes it’s helpful to think about your death and how you want to be remembered (p. 150). I think of them as what keeps me centered and nourished in the midst of life’s ups and downs.

My three essential things are prayer, beauty and creativity. If I have these three things steadily in my life, I am able to manage the joys and struggles that always come without either over or underresponding. My relationships are healthier and happier. My faith is more robust. I spend my time more wisely and my activities nourish me rather than drain me.

Each of us will answer this differently. What works for me will not necessarily work for you … but I wonder what they are. What are the three essential things that you need to be most fully yourself?

~ Terri

photos by Howard Friesen in Guatemala and El Salvador