An Old Inspirtion:

[I wrote this back in 1976, and happened across it today. I thought I'd share it with my few readers]

The more I think about it, the more I feel that all living things have a common bond. To never see the living plant or tree, to never pat a small furry animal, to never see a butterfly--to never witness this frustrates the soul of a person.

The crowded Asian countries strive for an inner peace with the aid of a small garden with a pond, and a fish, and a beautiful plant. The completed bond--creature, plant, and person. An atonement (at-one-ment) with the world... a soul appeasing unit.

The small child breathes life into his furry stuffed animals or dolls as he or she halls them under the covers in a soul-satisfying security. The religious leader walks to the top of a green hill, or deep into the forest, feeling the inspiration of God. The boy and his dog stretch out and run, attuned with nature--seemingly of one soul and in complete empathy with each other.

So, the common bond is perhaps in the living protoplasm, but, yet, in More--in the Creator--our Common Denominator. He created All Nature, not just reasoning beings--people. It isn't wrong to feel akin to the tree or the deer that grazes on the fields below. For the Father set the sap flowing in the tree, and breathed life into the animal. And he installed a spirit in the human that first of all recognizes its kinship with nature. I think it's impossible to truly believe and not realize that a spirit flows through all living things.

Often escaping from a life overflowing with pressures and anxieties, I have walked quietly in the forest awaiting God's inspiration. And in stooping to pick up a small newt, or in watching a butterfly sipping nectar, I have somehow come more closer to God than in an ornate cathedral. Looking up at the stars fills me with awe. Hearing the breeze as it sings through the pines fills me with Peace. And touching one of God's living creatures fills me with a complete understanding of the miracle of his perfection. And awaiting in quiet anticipation fills me with His inspiration.

The Native American, who feels that everything living has a spirit, isn't far from the Christian who feels that there is some of God in every living thing.

CRUSTY SNOW

Everyone who knows me real well knows I love the winter and cross country skiing... However, the reason for this is twofold if not more. The snow puts a blanket over everything, and peace and quiet can be had out on the trail. Also, though it's great exercise, it's also my favorite way to meditate. I almost go into a trance. Sometimes I couldn't tell you after which trail I'd taken through the woods. But... Today there's a thin crust from freezing mist upon the snow. I figured I'd try skiing on it even though it may be rough going. It was fine when it came to the pace I take, and easier than if I was walking with boots or with snowshoes. However, it was so noisy it really put a damper on meditation. It was like someone scraping the walk with a plastic snow-shovel.

I could hear the difference when I passed under a hemlock, as its boughs protected the snow, and suddenly it would be only a whisper... however, there are more bare-boned hardwood, and for the most part, in order for peace and quiet, I had to stop and listen. The dogs didn't like the crusty-ness, but their paws breaking through was soundless compared to my skis which amplified the sound. Polly trailed along behind. No trace of squirrels today, nor mice beneath the snow. Frankly, I think they only came along for the broken pieces of snack-bones I had in my belly-pack. If I'm reading their minds, I'd say they were bored. But it's exercise, and exercise for them as well. We all feel better after a walk in the woods. And when I would pause, and listen to the silence; I would meditate on whatever is bothering me, listen for inspiration in order to resolve questions that have been bothering me.

So often I worry about problems which I have NO way of solving, and have a sadness from the worry. When I got back a few minutes ago, I came into the house, and checked my email in the computer/guest room just in on the left from the front door.
I got some forwarded messages. I'm sorry, people, I get so many that the only way I can keep up is to delete most of them. I can discern which are repeats, and which are a bit "spammy" whereas they want me to forward a honey-sweet message to 6 of my girlfriends. Sorry, "Delete, Delete,Delete." But one had this little one liner that helped inspiration to get through this noisy morning of crackly snow:

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.

I guess that just about sums it up. Have a good day.

Love,
Cranberry Jo