PRAYER BRACELET
I am not a woman of glitz, glam, pampering or fashion. I have never been that person. I have never colored my hair, had my nails done and even thought about augmenting my body with lifts or botox. Simple is my game...well, and cheap.
I have only taken off my Lapis necklace a few times since Russ gave it to me years ago. I love it the way Julia Child loved her pearls. Earrings? In an extravagant move, I change them every few years switching between pearls and lapis.
And a bracelet? Again, I am not real motivated. But my bracelet is different. It has purpose. I wear my bracelet with intention, a reminder to always be aware that my life is a tiny speck. Probably 30 years ago Russ and I were visiting Newburyport, MA and I bought a copper cuff bracelet. I wore it every day until a couple years ago it vanished. I kept thinking it would turn up, but it never did. Russ bought me a replacement at the Indian Market in Santa Fe, NM.
A prayer bracelet is exactly that... a reminder to reflect on whatever is taking up room in your mind. It reminds me to focus on Russ and his needs. It reminds me to focus on grandkids, family, work friends, the homeless and families being separated by immigration. It helps me keep specific intentions in mind throughout the day because it is so easy to 'forget' about anything that is not in front of me. It is so easy to loose sight of anything but my own life. My bracelet is a power tool and is as complex or as simple as I choose to make it. I have no rules. I see it on my wrist and I remember to say a prayer for the myriad of needs that greet me each morning.
My cuff bracelet was made by a Native American. In its center is a full moon. On either side of that are two arrows and it finishes on each end with a sun. Jake told me that the full moon was sacred and was to help me to expand my awareness in the bounty I live among and to gain a daily appreciation for all I have to be grateful for. The arrows are symbols of protection, offering a sense of security. And the sun has healing energy, the giver of life and the provider of warmth. Just looking at the bracelet reinforces all the good things in my life and that there are endless opportunities to reach out and care for others.
When I am wallowing in a pity party, or just feeling hopeless, I am told to care for someone else, in deed, in prayer, or in service. Serving and praying for others is good for your health and happiness. My bracelet reminds me again and again that life changes with kindness and connection.
I began this post saying I was not a patron of glitz, glam and fashion. But I confess there must be a bit of vain pride hanging out in me because when I took a photo of the bracelet on my arm all I saw was old skin, sun spots and wrinkles I did not want to share that It reminded me of when you hit the flip photo on your phone by accident and you see your old wrinkled neck. NOT pretty! So my arm is old and wrinkled, but the bracelet is the daily gift of prayer for others.
Today I carry Jake's words in the circle of prayer, my prayer of hope. The moon guiding me to remember life is not all about me, the arrows reminding me to reach beyond myself for protection (it's not all about me), and the sun, to which Tucson is known for, will be healing, allowing my soul to once again waken each day with hope.