Life is like a library owned by an author. In it are a few books, which he wrote himself, but most of them were written for him.
--Harry Emerson Fosdick
In our minds there are multitudes of stored memories, knowledge, and skills. Some of these are the results of living and learning, but most are information given to us by others. Our family, friends, co-workers, teachers, and children are the greatest sources for our storehouses of information.
Most of our learning comes from others. Teachers give us much in the way of facts. Our family instructs us in morals. Friends show us different personalities and lifestyles. Our children reflect what we've taught them and give us their views of the world.
All the information we have is valuable to our growth and maturity - every person we meet, each place we visit, and everything we try contribute to our library of knowledge and experience. At times we may borrow from what is on our shelves, but we must keep our shelves stocked with fresh material. Each night we can write a new volume based on the day's experiences.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Truth
Truth is often associated primarily with the larger issues and set alongside such ideals as Justice, Freedom, and Democracy. We like the grand words - and properly so on the grand occasions.
But let's remember, too, that truth between us and someone we are close to is also of supreme value. An endearment, a tender emotion shared, an admission, an apology, a vow, an act of forgiveness - all these take on the meaning of truth in an intimate context. And that, for all of us, is a context that matters.
How we are with one another on the level of feeling and trust is of vital importance. In building a meaningful relationship, we are implicitly making a statement about what the world can be - one built on courage, tolerance, affection, honesty, and love. Such truths as these will ring out clearly until the end of time.
But let's remember, too, that truth between us and someone we are close to is also of supreme value. An endearment, a tender emotion shared, an admission, an apology, a vow, an act of forgiveness - all these take on the meaning of truth in an intimate context. And that, for all of us, is a context that matters.
How we are with one another on the level of feeling and trust is of vital importance. In building a meaningful relationship, we are implicitly making a statement about what the world can be - one built on courage, tolerance, affection, honesty, and love. Such truths as these will ring out clearly until the end of time.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Teacher
I feel we have picked each other from the crowd as fellow travelers, for neither of us is to the other's personality the end-all and the be-all.
-- Joanna Field
It's not mere chance that we gravitate toward those who become our friends. Nor is it only happenstance that we are piqued by others. We are, in fact, on a journey and have much to learn. From our friends and even more so from those not so friendly, we are destined to learn what our souls yearn for. The journey is the process of enlightenment for which we all have gathered. From one another we are receiving that which we're ready to learn. All of us students. Each of us a teacher.
How comforting to know that the pain of a particular experience, or the confusion over a set of circumstances, will become understandable with the passage of time. All experience plays its part. All of our acquaintances share destinies overlapping our own. There is security in knowing that our journeys are necessary and right for us.
Today I offer this affirmation: I'll not discount the value of any person or any experience that circumstances may offer.
-- Joanna Field
It's not mere chance that we gravitate toward those who become our friends. Nor is it only happenstance that we are piqued by others. We are, in fact, on a journey and have much to learn. From our friends and even more so from those not so friendly, we are destined to learn what our souls yearn for. The journey is the process of enlightenment for which we all have gathered. From one another we are receiving that which we're ready to learn. All of us students. Each of us a teacher.
How comforting to know that the pain of a particular experience, or the confusion over a set of circumstances, will become understandable with the passage of time. All experience plays its part. All of our acquaintances share destinies overlapping our own. There is security in knowing that our journeys are necessary and right for us.
Today I offer this affirmation: I'll not discount the value of any person or any experience that circumstances may offer.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
What If?
Reflection for the Day
"What if..." How often we hear these words from our friends with Charcot Marie Tooth disease? What if I can't exercise? What if progression is so fast I can't work? What if I can't support my family? "What if I lose my job?" "What if I can't drive?" "What if I needs AFOs and can't afford them? What if I have to rely on a wheelchair? What if I need a caregiver? What if -- anything our desperate imaginings can project. Only two small words, yet how heavy-laden they are with dread, fear and anxiety.
The answer to "What if . . ." is, plainly and simply, "Don't project." We can only live with our CMT problems as they arise, living one day at a time.
Today I offer this thought question: Am I keeping my thoughts positive?
May we grow spiritually, without being held back by anxieties. May projected fears not hobble our pursuits or keep us from making the most of today. May we turn our fear by faith. If we will only make a place for God within us, God will remove our fears.
Today I Will Remember I can only borrow trouble at high interest rates.
"What if..." How often we hear these words from our friends with Charcot Marie Tooth disease? What if I can't exercise? What if progression is so fast I can't work? What if I can't support my family? "What if I lose my job?" "What if I can't drive?" "What if I needs AFOs and can't afford them? What if I have to rely on a wheelchair? What if I need a caregiver? What if -- anything our desperate imaginings can project. Only two small words, yet how heavy-laden they are with dread, fear and anxiety.
The answer to "What if . . ." is, plainly and simply, "Don't project." We can only live with our CMT problems as they arise, living one day at a time.
Today I offer this thought question: Am I keeping my thoughts positive?
May we grow spiritually, without being held back by anxieties. May projected fears not hobble our pursuits or keep us from making the most of today. May we turn our fear by faith. If we will only make a place for God within us, God will remove our fears.
Today I Will Remember I can only borrow trouble at high interest rates.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Soul's Garden
Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit – and man is his mown garden. --John Leonard
Depressing thoughts and destructive attitudes are not forced on us by fate. They are choices we make as we act and react to events in our lives.
Before a diagnosis of Charcot Marie Tooth disease, when negative things happened, our first reaction was to choose to react negatively: "Life's not fair." "Why did that have to happen to me?". It is easy to react positively when good things happen. But sometimes we have often chosen to react negatively to even good events.
Good can be found in even the worst situations if we look for it. Bankruptcy can provide a fresh start. Defeat can allow rebuilding in a new and better way. Relief into the light from depression teaches us what is good. Death brings new life. Admitting our powerlessness over CMT gives us the freedom to make choices which gives us new power.
Today I offer this affirmation: By choosing good thoughts and attitudes, the garden of my soul will thrive. By choosing bad ones, it will shrivel and die.
Depressing thoughts and destructive attitudes are not forced on us by fate. They are choices we make as we act and react to events in our lives.
Before a diagnosis of Charcot Marie Tooth disease, when negative things happened, our first reaction was to choose to react negatively: "Life's not fair." "Why did that have to happen to me?". It is easy to react positively when good things happen. But sometimes we have often chosen to react negatively to even good events.
Good can be found in even the worst situations if we look for it. Bankruptcy can provide a fresh start. Defeat can allow rebuilding in a new and better way. Relief into the light from depression teaches us what is good. Death brings new life. Admitting our powerlessness over CMT gives us the freedom to make choices which gives us new power.
Today I offer this affirmation: By choosing good thoughts and attitudes, the garden of my soul will thrive. By choosing bad ones, it will shrivel and die.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Make yourself at home
Make yourself at home.
It was night, only a few months after I'd begun my skydiving adventure. One of the other skydivers was sitting in a lawn chair. The evening lights had been turned on and he was wrapped up in a sleeping bag, reading a book under the hazy glow. He was one of the full-time skydivers, who had been attracted to the gypsy lifestyle of the skydiving community as much as the sport itself.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm in my living room, reading a book," he replied. "Do you like the view of the backyard?" he asked, making a gesture toward the rolling hills that cascaded gently in the background. "Sometimes I take my sleeping bag and curl up under the stars in the landing area over there."
I looked around, almost envious of his freedom.
Sometimes, we get so busy and involved creating a home for ourselves that we create a structure that's too safe, limiting, and confined. We forget about our real home, the planet earth. It's good to sleep indoors. It's nice to make ourselves comfortable in our home. But don't let your cozy nest become a locked, confining box.
Stretch your arms. Push the lid off the box. Get out into the world. Walk around. Move about. See how connected everything is. See how connected you are, too, to all that is. Make yourself comfortable, wherever you are. Make yourself a home and be at home in the world.
It was night, only a few months after I'd begun my skydiving adventure. One of the other skydivers was sitting in a lawn chair. The evening lights had been turned on and he was wrapped up in a sleeping bag, reading a book under the hazy glow. He was one of the full-time skydivers, who had been attracted to the gypsy lifestyle of the skydiving community as much as the sport itself.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm in my living room, reading a book," he replied. "Do you like the view of the backyard?" he asked, making a gesture toward the rolling hills that cascaded gently in the background. "Sometimes I take my sleeping bag and curl up under the stars in the landing area over there."
I looked around, almost envious of his freedom.
Sometimes, we get so busy and involved creating a home for ourselves that we create a structure that's too safe, limiting, and confined. We forget about our real home, the planet earth. It's good to sleep indoors. It's nice to make ourselves comfortable in our home. But don't let your cozy nest become a locked, confining box.
Stretch your arms. Push the lid off the box. Get out into the world. Walk around. Move about. See how connected everything is. See how connected you are, too, to all that is. Make yourself comfortable, wherever you are. Make yourself a home and be at home in the world.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Life
The process of living, for each of us, is pretty similar. For every gain there is a setback. For every success, a failure. For every moment of joy, a time of sadness. For every hope realized, one is dashed. --Sue Atchley Ebaugh
The balance of events in our lives is much like the balance of nature. The pendulum swings; every extreme condition is offset by its opposite, and we learn to appreciate the gifts . . . of the bad times as well as the periods of rest.
On occasion we'll discover that our course in life has changed direction. We need not be alarmed. We must believe we're in caring hands.
We can develop gratitude for all conditions, good or bad. Each has its necessary place in our development as healthy, happy people. We need the sorrows along with the joys if we are to gain new insights. Our failures keep us humble; they remind us of our need for the care and guidance of others. And for every hope dashed, we can remember, one will be realized.
Life is a process. Each variation, in its own way, blesses me.
The balance of events in our lives is much like the balance of nature. The pendulum swings; every extreme condition is offset by its opposite, and we learn to appreciate the gifts . . . of the bad times as well as the periods of rest.
On occasion we'll discover that our course in life has changed direction. We need not be alarmed. We must believe we're in caring hands.
We can develop gratitude for all conditions, good or bad. Each has its necessary place in our development as healthy, happy people. We need the sorrows along with the joys if we are to gain new insights. Our failures keep us humble; they remind us of our need for the care and guidance of others. And for every hope dashed, we can remember, one will be realized.
Life is a process. Each variation, in its own way, blesses me.
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