We've all been granted another day. The sun is shining. Breezes waft through the trees. Birds wing to the ledge on the bird feeder - sparrows, nuthatches, tufted titmice - the whole crowd, nibbling, fluttering, securing their spots. Squirrels engage in quick runs on top of the fence, or else scramble at the foot of the feeder where they happily eat the cast off seed. Butterflies float through the air. Bumble bees nip at the heart of blossoming flowers - Elegant roses, old fashioned hollyhock and gracious lilies - seem to smile out from their garden corner, smile upon their slice of the world. All of this together combines to make their slice, my garden- a slice of paradise. They of course, don't do it consciously. They simply know their thing and do it, the very best way they can. The result is a happy one.
Thinking on this lovely scene raises some questions. I ask myself- what am I doing to bring to my corner of the world a smile -and the kind of joy these garden mates bring as they fulfill their ends? Is my corner of this mighty universe a more cheerful corner, a happier corner, a better corner because I am here? Am I using all that I have been given to improve my world?
I can't answer these questions by looking inward. I can only answer them by looking outward, around me. It takes the focus off me - turns the thrust of "Am I happy? Am I getting what I want?" to "What can I give? How can I make the important ones in my life happier?"
I think as I find the answer to this and start bringing the smiles I will myself be on a new and joyful path for I will see ways that I hadn't even imagined open up before me. God has given us a brain and a heart and a body. We need them working in harmony. This is why I throw the question out to you- What are you doing to strengthen your brain, your heart and your body? What are you doing to enhance and improve your spot? What are you doing to make your slice- a slice of paradise?
Prayer for today: "Pray grant me the insight and the resolution to ease the comfort of others wherever I can. Help me to look outward with a smile at the world. Help me to bring my inward awareness of spirit into full fruition. Help me to make every encounter a gracious exchange. Help me to be the best possible me!
7/26/01