Being present

If you could meet and talk with anybody, who would it be?
That's a fun question.
But I would like just to be entirely present with whomever I meet - and, in doing so, to be with God in a new way.

(See Archive for June, 2013, and go to post dated December 4, 1994.)

December 8, 2013

“Don't worry about your reputation.  Just do your best and let your reputation take care of itself.”

That is the best, and certainly the most memorable, professional advice I ever received.

Like much other wisdom, upon reflection, that advice may be applied to much more than at first appears.

Today it comes again to me this way:

“Don't worry about your relationship with God.  Just do your best and let your relationship with God take care of itself.”

December 1, 2013

“We’ll leave the light on for you.”

As I think today about how our little Quaker Meeting can, corporately and individually, contribute to the vast and complex world around us, what comes to mind is that simple pledge from a motel ad.

As a Meeting, we can maintain this community of faithful seekers and leave the light of welcome on for anyone who is moved to join us, whether for minutes or years.

Individually, we can leave our inner light on for everyone we meet: we can share freely such light as we are given – the light of attention, love and acceptance – with the people we meet.

To fulfill this pledge, we must take care of the light – we must provide protection and fuel to our spiritual lives.  And we must leave the light on for each other.