February 08-A, 2023

**Crabtree Falls 05/21/2013 Oil Paint Rendered — Blue Ridge Parkway, Little Switzerland, North Carolina**

The way forward--
the way to the way--
is built upon each individual
developing their own practice
around mindful awareness,
being present here/now
with what is present with us
(With what is happening
and with what is called for
in response to what is happening).

In conjunction with that aspect 
of our practice,
we also work to become proficient
in two areas:

1) Relaxing into the emptiness/stillness/silence,
attuned to what arises/emerges/appears there
and how we might incorporate that into our life.

2) Exploring our own make up by examining
our original/essential nature 
and our innate virtues/graces/traits/characteristics,
in order to bring them out/forth intentionally
in response to the situations/circumstances
of the moment,
moment-to-moment.

Then, it is a matter of putting this in motion
each day,
seeing what is happening
and what is called for,
knowing and doing what needs to be done,
when, where and how,
throughout the day,
every day.

There is nothing to this,
and nothing is more essential.

What keeps it from happening?

–0–

Published by jimwdollar

I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters and five granddaughters within about twenty minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything. View more posts