Surprise!
“Every
day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or
feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to receive each
day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will
open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new
friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.”
Henri
Nouwen
It's
easy, I think, to become jaded; to think there's nothing new under
the sun. Clearly, we try to make something unusual happen by taking substances that change our experience of life. Our young people are
going to raves and using ecstasy, binge drinking and experimenting
with all sorts of hallucinogenic drugs in an effort to make their
lives more exciting. I heard on the news this week that heroin
related deaths are up by 150% in some parts of the country. Life on
it's own must seem terribly drab to take such risks.
We
chase the highs, and run from the lows, when both are the source of
our humanity. We learn how to relate to others through
common experience—we can say, “I've been there. I know how that
feels.” This single connection bonds us, makes us more
compassionate, and allows us to share and support one another. We
don't need drugs to ward off real life, we need to adjust our view of
it. Each time we experience joy, we deepen our ability to relate to
others in their happiness. Each time we experience sorrow, we
increase in sensitivity toward our fellow humans who are going
through a sad or difficult time. Soul development occurs, not through
the use of substances, but by living our authentic life as it is
revealed to us.
Today,
be on the lookout for surprises. Let life take you there.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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