Wednesday, May 14, 2008

What if.......

What if it truly doesn't matter what you do but how you do whatever you do?

How would this change what you choose to do with your life?

What if you could be more present and open-hearted with each person you encounter working as a cashier in the corner store, a parking lot attendant or filing clerk than you could if you were striving to do something you think is more important?

How would this change how you want to spend your precious time on this earth?

What if your contribution to the world and the fulfillment of you own happiness is not dependent upon discovering a better method of prayer or technique of meditation, not dependent upon reading the right book or attending the right seminar, but upon really seeing and deeply appreciating yourself and the world as they are right now?

How would this effect your search for spiritual development?

What if there is no need to change, no need to try and transform yourself into someone who is more compassionate, more present, more loving or wise?

How would this effect all the places in your life where you are endlessly trying to be better?

What if the task is simply to unfold, to become who you already are in your essential nature - gentle, compassionate and capable of living fully and passionately present?

How would this effect how you feel when you wake up in the morning?

What if who you essentially are right now is all that you are ever going to be?

How would this effect how you feel about your future?

What if the essence of who you are and always have been is enough?

How would this effect how you see and feel about your past?

What if the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I really am?

How would this change what you think you have to learn?

What if becoming who and what we truly are happens not through striving and trying but by recognizing and receiving the people and places and practices that offer us the warmth of encouragement we need to unfold?

How would this shape the choices you have to make about how to spend today?

What if you knew that the impulse to move in a way that creates beauty in the world will arise from deep within and guide you every time you simply pay attention and wait?

How would this shape your stillness, your movement, your willingness to follow this impulse, to just let go and dance?

From Prelude to The Dance by Oriah Mountain Dreamer


These are thought-provoking questions for me. To discover just who I am and to enjoy being that person is something that I have wanted. Now I think that is happening.

I went to see my therapist yesterday for the first time in over a year and a half. It was a "catch-up" visit. He commented on how content I seemed. I suppose that I am more content than I was before or perhaps my contentment was just covered up by all the "stuff" that was running my life. Maybe now I want to be the person that I am. Something to think about.

6 comments:

  1. i think that u like it:)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_NrZCZwlhc&feature=related


    i like the way u wright...

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  2. I can't imagine it. There has been so much turmoil in this house for so many years. Hopefully I will get there and hopefully I am on my way!

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  3. What if the essence of who you are and always have been is enough?

    somehow that makes perfect sense to me right now!

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  4. Thats really thought provoking Syd, What If...
    If I was meant to be the person I should of been I can envisage me being a chemist, that is the path I should of took, I loved Alevel Chemistry but choose Physics, first mistake, I then cracked up at Uni and wound up spending ten years labouring...
    I then drank them years away until my world became so small that it was just me and my cans...
    I guess I changed from having fun and drink to drink and have fun and eventually to just drink...
    What If...

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  5. I have read OMD before and that post was delicious in what it reveals.

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  6. This is what I feel like. As if I am finally learning how to just be. It's both simple and profound. And a big load off the shoulders too.

    BTW, I ran into a post of a woman who doesn't seem to know much about blogging who is struggling with an alcoholic husband who is refusing to go to AA. She was asking for help because she felt so lost and alone. I mentioned your blog site and you as someone who I think has a wonderful perspective and program. I hope that is ok and that she does stop by. (someone else had already brought up Al-Anon)

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.