You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
 
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
 


-- Max Ehrmann
 
 

There is a patterned sequence to the events surrounding us, attracting our attention, inviting our personal involvement.

We must accept this as a given, and then attune ourselves to the rhythm of the ordered flow.

This will augment our personal growth and facilitate our contributions, which are both needed by other players in this sequence of events.

We need not understand the full picture of the pattern we're each woven into.

We need only trust that it's a design which will comfort us -- if not today, then tomorrow.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I think I must let go.
Must fear not,
must be quiet so that my children can hear
the Sound of Creation
and dance the dance that is in them.
 


-- Russell Hoban
 
 

 

Often we hold fast to our fear, and it prevents us from growing. Life's ordinary rhythm carries us through good times and bad, but sometimes we fear the bad times so much that we try to hold back life's forward motion.

This also means that we won't leave ourselves open to the good. The only constant truth is that everything changes. If we can believe in that, it will help us to relax our grip.

Our fear is even stronger when we think we are responsible for others -- our children, for example. We want to spare them pain, and so we forget to listen to the Sound of Creation.

No one learns from someone else's mistake. If we respect others, we must recognize that they have a right to their own dance. Their own spirits will guide them.

____________

© 1991 Hazelden Foundation from the book The Promise of a New Day


 

07/23/2003
 

 
 

Banners Copyright © 1996 Randy D. Ralph - Icon Bazaar/ NetStrider (dead link 09/2002)

The Pastoral Symphony images Copyright © Jonathon Earl Bowser