I've been thinking...yes it's something I do on occasion. Usually the occasions that work best are when I'm solo and can meditate or just ponder things of life, family and me. Like most other families, we struggle to make ends meet. Strain to put enough grub on the family table. And last but not least "stress," over all of the rest. Why? Does it get us any closer to finding a viable solution to financial problems? No! Does it put extra food on the table? No! Does it solve all of the other extenuating circumstances or unknown variables? No! So, why the struggle, the strain and the stress? Perhaps, because were doer's. We do do do and when something needs doing...we feel were participating even if we just struggle, strain and stress. I vote for a more optomistic approach. I've used all the other's and now it's necessary to float with the current.
Think of a leaf just fallen from a maple tree above a river or stream. The leave naturally detaches itself from what gave it life. It ever so slowly falls from the tree and lands in the stream or river of water. It's edges slightly curled inward and upward, it finds itself floating to and fro in the water. At times the current is more difficult and treacherous. At others it is still and even appears to have stopped for a while. It drifts to a place where the rocks are piled and it can go no further until either a gust of wind or a surge of water propells it forward. It continues on the path, at times it may even take on some water, but for the most part it continues to follow the current. It's colors have not changed. What gave it life has not changed. It's existence has not been changed. What has changed is the current and the leaf's place in the water. Yes...it could of landed on the dirt and we would not be having this ever so eloquent of a dialogue. But, it like you and I have landed in the water (or life), so to speak. We cannot determine what is ahead, we can only determine what to do when we get there. We too may be tossed to and fro and find ourselves stuck from time to time. But, we each need something to catapult us from stagnant waters. The wind has a way of catching the edges of the leaf and steering it like the wind on a sail. Just like God or those positive role models in our lives, we can all be guided to a better place than where we currently(no play on words intended...it just worked out that way!)are. So, if you struggle, strain or stress over the inevitable or those things out of your control, it does absolutely no good. What does us good is to always be hopeful for a better day and brighter future. I'm sure that leaf never wanted to leave what gave it life, but it did. And regardless of what journey it has gone on, it hasn't gotten there alone. The current may have changed it's direction, the wind may have offered a lift. But it is still that one unique creation that because of circumstances beyond it's control has landed in sometimes, tumultuous waters. It doesn't struggle, it doesn't strain and it doesn't stress. It's guided by two things, the current (stressors of life) and the wind (God).
As the leaf continues...it may get stuck with much of the other debris(peer pressure or temptation) in the nook of a rock or root of a tree. It may just continue floating... or (this is my favorite), it may be seen by someone, plucked from the water and put in a safe place to be admired for years to come. Regardless of where it ends up, only the leaf can appreciate the journey or mourn it. Bottom line...enjoy the journey, if you go the wrong direction, the wind will somehow change it...but, only if you embrace it. So, be careful of the current and those tight spots that you may never get out of and allow the wind to do it's job.
See what happens when I contemplate...dang!
