Opening the mind to the sky

Beloved Light,

Long ago, at a fund-raiser, I heard someone talk about encountering people in small villages somewhere in Africa whose clay homes were covered by grass roofs that – for lack of nails – were weighted down by sandbags hanging from each corner of the roof.

The fundraiser was asking people to support the effort to get nails to the villages so they could build more stable structures. Whether this was a successful endeavor over time I don’t know, but it was the idea of easily removable roofs that stuck in my mind.

Convertible houses, was my thought. Like the top rolling back on a car, I imagined homes easily opening to a sunny day. Not a practical idea, but one that made me smile.

It made me think about nailing things down. Mentally, I mean. That’s a reflex when pain comes and other challenges. There’s the tendency then to retract, to batten the hatches, secure the decks, pin things and people down, isn’t there? Nails are best so they’re secured, so they can’t fly up and cause trouble again.

It made me wonder: How many times do I nail or weigh things down when I could, instead, throw them open to the sky?

Here’s an idea:
Next time we feel beset we could settle ourselves in a quiet place, taking time to become aware of the room. Then we could imagine rolling its roof back to the sky, letting the Light stream in, opening our hearts and minds to the warming, golden rays. I think I’ll give it a try next time. Since next time will likely come.

Just a little something to muse on.
Much love,

~ 💜 Mayet