Wednesday, August 24, 2005
I'd like to go on vacation and get away from it all, but everywhere I go, I take myself along.
Two hundred years ago, in a kingdom far, far away, a Chasid, an optimistic Orthodox Jew, set out to find the kingdom of Heaven on earth. Having heard it was Pilsk, a day’s journey from his village, he set out at first light. When night fell, he prepared to sleep in an open field and taking off his shoes, pointed them in the direction he was going. As the Chasid slept, a rogue passed by and turned the shoes around. Next morning, the Chasid continued and as the sun set, came to fields, a town and faces that seemed familiar to him. He was puzzled but delighted to have found Heaven on earth.
Are you on a similar journey? Seeking the kingdom of Heaven on earth everywhere but in your own backyard? What gifts have you been given that you take for granted? What skills, talents, ideas, and yes, even body type – tall, fat, thin, stocky, do you have? Are you accepting and making the most of them? Or, are you like the Chasid, running away from them on a journey to Pilsk? And what about the rogue who turned the traveler’s shoes around? Was he really a rogue? Or was he perhaps, an angel in disguise? How many times have the seemingly terrible things in life bought unexpected benefits?
Anybody remember Ziggy, the great comic strip philosopher? He said something similar, “I’d like to take a vacation and get away from it all, but every place I go, I take myself along.” Claim your good now, as you are, where you are. Sure you want more and better. We all do. But you have to start with what you’ve got right now, by loving and accepting yourself exactly as you are, warts and all. So, what’s great about you, your profession, your community? Where do your strengths coincide? Perhaps right now, without ever going to Pilsk, you’re in the kingdom of Heaven on earth.
Are you on a similar journey? Seeking the kingdom of Heaven on earth everywhere but in your own backyard? What gifts have you been given that you take for granted? What skills, talents, ideas, and yes, even body type – tall, fat, thin, stocky, do you have? Are you accepting and making the most of them? Or, are you like the Chasid, running away from them on a journey to Pilsk? And what about the rogue who turned the traveler’s shoes around? Was he really a rogue? Or was he perhaps, an angel in disguise? How many times have the seemingly terrible things in life bought unexpected benefits?
Anybody remember Ziggy, the great comic strip philosopher? He said something similar, “I’d like to take a vacation and get away from it all, but every place I go, I take myself along.” Claim your good now, as you are, where you are. Sure you want more and better. We all do. But you have to start with what you’ve got right now, by loving and accepting yourself exactly as you are, warts and all. So, what’s great about you, your profession, your community? Where do your strengths coincide? Perhaps right now, without ever going to Pilsk, you’re in the kingdom of Heaven on earth.
