Finding our way to The Way one situation at a time. I don't know how great it will be, but I expect it will be interesting, and I look forward to it going on past all reason because wonder is just that way. Are you coming or not?
Big Creek Fall — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Big Creek District, Waterville, NC, Access
Our presence can be restorative, healing, uplifting, encouraging, comforting, etc. just by the way we carry, present, share ourselves with the world.
It isn't a matter of trying, but of being--without being aware of being any way at all.
"Just being ourselves," "present as one thus come," as the Buddha and Jesus did it. But this means being without guile or fear, anxiety, dread, anger, hostility, goal, purpose, intention, desire, etc.
Being available to see what we look at, to hear what is being said, to know what's what, what's happening, and what's called for in response, and doing what needs to be done here, now, with no interest or anything at stake in the outcome.
Which in itself would be remarkable and not likely to describe anyone we know.
How often do we encounter stable, balanced, serene, tranquil, harmonious presence in the people who come our way?
And why wouldn't those people be sources of health, healing and wellbeing, righting wrong and restoring calm confidence and goodwill all along their path?
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, five granddaughters, one great granddaughter, and a great grandson on the way, within about ten minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.
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Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 