Be Still My Soul

 

Kyiv - photo from unsplash.com

Hello dear friend,

I am very glad that you dropped in to read my latest post. I hope that you are well!

As, in Wales, we are still buffeted by strong winds - though storm Eunice has moved on after creating mayhem I was so happy that, watching #Songs of Praise on the BBC, one of my most favourite hymns was sung:  Be Still My Soul - part of the classical piece, Finlandia.

Composed by Sibelius in 1899, in the, then, Grand Duchy of Finland, Finlandia became a symbol of Finnish nationalism. After The Winter War in 1939 - when almost half a million Soviet troops stormed Finland - the Finnish poet V.A. Koskenniemi, wrote the words used today. For more info on the music and culture of Finland please see: https://finland.fi/arts-culture/finlandia-by-jean-sibelius/

I have never been to Finland and I learnt all of the above online today. But I do, as I said, so love this hymn. 

Here is an extract of Be Still My Soul which you can either sing or say as a prayer. 

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side;

bear patiently the cross of grief and pain;

leave to your God to order and provide;

in every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

And for a little extra peace in your soul, and in the world, try the following quick meditation.

1 minute meditation 

* Close your eyes and take a deep in-breath. As you breathe out feel the whole of your body relax. 

* Now say this prayer, or one of your own:

 "Dear Lord, please help me to feel that stillness in my soul, and to take it into my daily challenges, so that I may live in peace with everyone. And Lord, may Your Peace reign throughout the world.  I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen."

* When you are ready open your eyes and have a big stretch.

Wishing you every blessing!

Teresa 

For more info please visit my website:www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk and my other blog: https://creativelivingforthebestyou.blogspot.com/

For further inspiration take a look at my book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life, is a practical guide to joyful living which has already helped many through a crisis in their life.  To see the book trailer click on this link: 9 Days to Heaven

The book is available as a paperback from any good bookshop and many websites. Click here to buy the e-book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Heaven-Make-Everlasting-Meaning-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CSC