The straight way is not always simple.

There is a path through this meadow, it wanders. I want to cross, shall I walk straight?

The wandering path seems errant.

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Walking in a straight line, I go through bramble, mire, ditches.

Was the wandering path simpler?

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I accept guidance?

Reading:

“All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it does not, it is of no use.” — Carlos Castaneda

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“If you come to a fork in the road, take it.” — Yogi Berra

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“Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” — Jeremiah 6:16

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A small, worried thing.

In fear, my heart is a small forest creature in my chest. Furtive, heaving. Pounding.

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But here at dawn, nothing has yet happened. What reason fear?

Before even the day has begun, if I fear, then it just be a phantom.

❖

In my rooms, with furtive heart, Lord, let me witness the everyday miracle of spreading sunshine. Let my heart become still in its small cage.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I recognize the illusions that cause worry?

Reading:

“Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” — Benjamin Franklin

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“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” — Corrie ten Boom

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“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” — Isaiah 41:10

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Small things grow big.

Morning walk through the meadow, I step over a trickling creek. No larger than a snake, it has cut a narrow channel through deep grasses.

The nearby mighty river, visible even from here, was once no larger.

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Bit by bit. Lord. Your power flows even through the smallest of my daily actions. Bit by bit they grow.

This morning I draw closer to you. Let this mustard seed grow over days and years into the mountain.

– from the mountain

Consider:

Can I consistently grow in my practice?

Reading:

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” — Vincent van Gogh

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“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” — The Talmud

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“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” — Matthew 17:20

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Noon brings challenges.

In quiet times, I sit and think deeply of you, latching myself to your power.

Through they day, when I need you most — where are you? The crush of the world overwhelms.

It is not that I strain to find you. The blocks that keep me from you are no obvious, powerful dam.

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I do not even think to seek. The world is too fast, my preoccupations too severe. I do not try and fail to find you: The blocks are the things that cause me not to try.

Bring me back to myself, Lord, to my morning intention, even at noon: let me seek you.

– from the mountain

Consider:

How can I bring morning’s presence even to noon?

Reading:

“The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” —SONG OF SONGS 2:13

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