The Holiday is still in full swing in our home. The kids are still home and the house is full of laughter and noise. Competing schedules have us coming and going as we try to find time to savor as a family before the doors are flung open and the winds blow everyone back to their own lives and locations. I can always find hundreds of oportunities each and every day to practice being present to the happenings of the moment. One of my favorite books is getting pretty worn these days. A cup of tea and a short paragraph or two always seems to set me back on my course whenever I waiver. Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching is one of my favorite gifts to give. I especially love it when I can surprise someone who has not yet read the Tao with this tiny gem. Take a peek at the passage I picked today. It makes me feel so good to know I don't need to try so hard. I can relax and just let my imperfect self melt into the perfect moment.
True perfection seems imperfect
yet it is perfectly itself.
True fullness seems empty,
yet it is fully present.
True straightness seems crooked,
True wisdom seems foolish.
True art seems artless.
The Master allows things to happen.
She shapes events as they come.
She steps out of the way
and lets the Tao speak for itself.
" the winds blow everyone back to their own lives amd locations. " This spoke to me. That is exactly how I feel. I have truly tried to be present for every moment this season. It seems all too soon everyone will be back at reality for the moment. I want to just enjoy the moment when we are all together. If only I could be present every moment rather than worrying and fretting about whatever.
I am working on that.
I shall have to find this "Stephen Mitchell's
translation of the Tao Te Ching "
I feel called to it.
Thank you for posting!
Me
Posted by: tami | January 02, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Love the collage.
"She steps out of the way." Oh, to learn to do this consistently. I'm so often in the way, obstructing, protesting, denying.
You've just inspired me to create my own collage with this verse!
Posted by: Mayberry Magpie | January 03, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Happy New Year Kathy! I was so happy to see a new posting from you. It looks like you're having a fabulous holiday with everyone home. I hope that 2009 is THE year for you full of self-discovery and an abundance of creativity.
Did you sign up for any Valley Ridge classes this year?
Posted by: Jennifer White | January 03, 2009 at 10:14 AM