stocktake

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung...
May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong...
May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

- Bob Dylan

I think it's very easy to become complacent - as each day blends into the next.  We think about things, only in terms of how they effect us - we assume things are going to be the same - until they aren't anymore.  It's difficult to find safe ground, when you're trying to be mindful of the moment, but also figuring out where to step next.  No one is to know the road map, or the challenges we might meet along the way.  I think sometimes it pays to slow down at the 'give way' signs and just appreciate the people and the things we have in our lives, right now - as if they were a magnificent parade - the theatre of your life. Our shops and warehouses regularly count stock - as if cereal boxes and bottles of soft drink are precious.  Maybe it would serve us well to do a regular stock take of ourselves - to be grateful for what remains on our shelves, remember what has passed through our doors and discover the gems we have collected in our lost and found boxes.

I don't pretend to be saintly - I get pissy and angry at little things, I forget my blessings and get caught up in things that don't matter - but I do hope to devote a little more time to the things that should be celebrated.

Two of the scariest things you'll ever learn about life:
1) There are no guarantees.
2) It's not fair.

SB