A big part of my journey with soulfulness started during Lent in 2010. In the Christian tradition we remember the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert by giving up something or taking on a new habit for 40 days. This is a great opportunity to discern about what is really important in life and to live simpler and more intentional. I believe Lent is a wonderful opportunity for everyone, whatever your belief system or religion.
In a recent coaching conversation, I was reminded of military drill called “Mark Time”. The dictionary describes this command as:
To change from standing at attention to “Marking Time” or to change from marching at “Quick Time” to “Marking Time” The resulting action is to march in the same place, not to move in any direction.
What a wonderful metaphor. I believe that Lent 2024 was another opportunity to “mark time”, to find ways to figuratively march in one place. In life we march forward to always get somewhere, often in “quick time”. Stay in line, stand up straight, keep going but sometimes it is important to just mark the time.
What does “marking time” look like for you?
This coming weekend is Easter and Lent 2024 is finishing. How did you spend the last 40 days? Easter Weekend is another opportunity to “mark time”. We call the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, “Silent Saturday”. Maybe we can use Saturday to “mark time” in our own way?
Richard Rohr said in a talk he gave at Google: “You are welcome here today, we are often everywhere but here aren’t we?”
The practice of marking time is active not passive – they are marching in one place – to get back into rhythm, to be more aware of each other – marking time is an active practice of presence and rhythm. We can learn from it!
What does “marking time” mean to you today – maybe it is nudging you to a specific small response?
Happy Easter!
Andre
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