What's the rush?

Truth lies within ourselves. It takes no rise from outward things, whatever you may believe.

There is an inmost center in us all where, truth abides in fullness and to know, rather consists in opening out a way whence

the imprisoned splendour

may escape, than in effecting entry for light supposed to be without!

Not my words to begin this blog but the words of the English poet Robert Browning written in the late 1800s. No less striking today or true, I believe they are descriptive to the goal of every human being. Each of us seeks to be true to ourselves - to live authentically and fully so that we might know we have lived well.


There are times we dont feel we are doing this, maybe we feel we are so far from the visions we have for your life, dissapointments thwart us, obstacles obstruct our path, we dont make the progress we expect, there is a vague unease, something to be done, a stone to be upturned, something has to change in the outside world. I know I feel that way often. I want to achieve something great, I want to be somewhere other than I am. I imagine life is out there around the next bend if I could only get there!


This feeling is unpleasant. I dont like to feel this way. It seems to taint everything with a vague dissatisfaction. If I can turn toward it and address it; take a moment to center, this can make all the difference.


I realize I can only be where I am now. I look to what is right in front of me to do and I seem to re-enter my body, my day, the moment and a realization dawns. I may not be where I want to get to but right now I can see how far I have come and most of all how much I have to be grateful for. That shift is like a door opening to a new experience, a new perspective. Giving my full attention to my present task is sufficient. If I can do it well, whether its washing dishes, filing documents, or making phone calls, it is it's own reward.

My mother used to say, "One step and then another and soon the longest journey is done." It's the only way we can get to where we are going, whats the rush anyway? Walking has always been a great way to enjoy the scenery!