Day 3,853

Growth:

This quote from Anthony de Mello has really been hitting home lately as I wrestle with some different faith related thoughts:

“That, ladies and gentlemen, is faith! An openness to the truth, no matter what the consequences, no matter where it leads you and when you don’t even know where it’s going to lead you. That’s faith. Not belief, but faith. Your beliefs give you a lot of security, but faith is insecurity. You don’t know. You’re ready to follow and you’re open, you’re wide open! You’re ready to listen. And, mind you, being open does not mean being gullible, it doesn’t mean swallowing whatever the speaker is saying. Oh no. You’ve got to challenge everything I’m saying. But challenge it from an attitude of openness, not from an attitude of stubbornness. And challenge it all. Recall those lovely words of Buddha when he said, “Monks and scholars must not accept my words out of respect, but must analyze them the way a goldsmith analyzes gold—by cutting, scraping, rubbing, melting.””

Who knows where it will all lead, who knows were it will take me, but I will go with an open mind, I will listen, and I will test.

Appreciation:

When’s the last time you paused and really looked at yourself from a third party perspective in the midst of a traffic jam? I can answer that one pretty easily as my commute home as included a 20+ minute stop due to bridge construction on the interstate. Nothing crazy, I’m glad they’re spending the time needed to repair it. Funny the thoughts that all bounced around in my melon while I was stopped.

• I should be nice and let this person in.
• Why did that jackass go flying by, I’m definitely not letting him in, I hope no one does.
• Wowza, I sure am judgy, aren’t I?
• Maybe I should be more nice and considerate of other drivers.
• Seriously??? What the hell dude, you’re just going to cut in like that???
• Deep breaths, chill, relax, it’s all good, we’ll all get there.
• There definitely is a lot of traffic on this interstate, I had no idea!
• Interesting, all these times flying by at 70-ish MPN and I’ve never noticed the underside of that bridge.
• I wonder how many more vehicles we can have on this bridge all stopped at one time? They designed it to hold this many, ride?
• And so on, and so on…

Yes, I would rather just get home on time, but there is something to be appreciated in having the bonus time to listen to my own thoughts.

Presence:

While I really don’t want to have to go back to the mechanic anytime soon (four oil changes, a new set of brakes, and a new set of belts – on all four of our vehicles within the past three weeks), I certainly did enjoy the walk from the shop to work in the morning and from work back to the shop over lunch. Quiet outside time, time in motion, time to be able to think… good stuff! It reminded me of how much I enjoyed that part of Italy, the moving from place to place by the motion of my own body. A wonderful couple of European moments worked into my day!

Thanks!!!