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All Photography by Robert Wesley Branch
How clear we get when our bodies do not readily respond to the tasks, chores and activities we are called to complete each day. How simple life becomes when you can’t just jump and do; get up and go as you would on any given day. How thankful you become for the abilities you so easily take for granted. How humbly you receive the little graces that gently restore your mind, body and soul back to a state of wholeness.
When you are fighting the germs in your body, you appreciate your strong healthy days oh-so-much more; you are glad to be alive and able to move about without having to carry tissue and aspirin and cough drops and any other prescription drug that helps you in healing the toxins flowing through your system. Sometimes, in moments of sickness, you make promises that you will take better care of yourself; that you’ll do a better job of loving your body and treating it in a more honorable way.
You vow to value yourself more.
Life is simple if we simplify life.
I bought a whole chicken and I rubbed salt and pepper all over it and inside its cavity; then dropped it into a large stockpot, where it simmered for nearly two hours, with red onions and fresh garlic and herbs and leeks. With the meat gently breaking away from the bone, I lifted that chicken out and added peas and carrots and corn and red bell pepper and more leeks and red onions, which all simmered together for another 45 minutes – while I stood over that pot, breathing in the soul-satisfying aroma and stirring in some salt and pepper and cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. It wasn’t too long after adding back the chopped meat that I was sitting down to the most delicious and healing bowl of chicken vegetable soup I had ever made. It took me back to my mother and father’s house, and to those wintry evenings of my father’s simmering stews. The simplicity of nature in a pot, simmered over time, proved to be medicine for my soul and senses.
We all experience days when we just do not think our bodies will carry us through. No matter how weary, tired or weak you may feel in this moment, it is possible for you to put strength in your mouth. You can receive supernatural strength – right here and right now! Strength beyond your human intellect and reasoning is yours to possess today, no matter how late you stayed up last night; no matter how early you got up this morning; no matter what your aching body says; no matter what nay-saying messages masquerade through your mind in this moment.
Trust and know that today you can be lifted up – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually – beyond your mind’s ability to perceive and understand why and how.
Let me please encourage you today: Think strength, talk strength, believe for strength, act on strength, know strength and receive strength.
And strength will come!
Today, my strength will come!
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