Suddenly Still

Stillness is a shock to the system.

The screeching of tires, the squealing of wheels, the swerving and maneuvering to get out of the way. When the smoke clears and the dust settles, it takes a bit of righting to find balance. Turns out, forward momentum can keep you upright through pretty much any squall, but stillness…now THAT requires full attention.

Nothing propels you forward but your determination.

Nothing holds you back but your inertia.

Nothing prevents you falling, but your course corrections. Be aware of your surroundings. Be sure of your footing. Have your compass handy.

Nothing moves you forward but your own efforts.

Stillness is a sock in the gut and a kick in the pants. It’s not the friendly place you once knew, it’s the firm place you now need.

It’s amazing what stillness brings into focus.

This Gift is Not Mine, But Yours

There’s such a difference between

“You are gifted!” and “You’ve been given a gift!”

One might confuse the two, thinking either one will do.

But no, one must go.

Step away; the other may stay.

You are gifted! Shining star, you’re certain to go far.
A sure anointing, don’t be disappointing.

The burden so heavy, not the resources to levy.
Tremendous heft, leaves me bereft.

Flattened by stares, everywhere the snares.
Put that gift aside, my heart begs, safe from pride.

No! Come and see, You’ve received a gift from Me.

What could it be? Unwrap it and see!

The cover falls away, and I know this is here to stay.
It’s a perfect fit, not meant to sit
idly by while I wait,for jitters to abate.

Take her out for a spin, it’s not a sin
even if you stumble, we won’t grumble.
Open her up, feel the breeze, do I have to say please?
Feel it juke and jive, let it come alive!

Forgive me for my confusion, the two have been in collusion,
You are gifted… is a weight to be lifted.
You’ve been given a gift … that offers me a lift!

One might confuse the two, thinking either one will do.

But no. One must go.

The first steels my will, I had better stand still.
The second makes me dizzy, I had better get busy.

Failure isn’t fatal

It’s fortunate.

It tells us

we have reached the point

where we can no longer continue without change,

without a new approach,

a new learning.

We have reached the limit of

our current ability.

It gives us a measure

of where we are today, and

how far we’ve come.

It is a limit without limiting,

a boundary without bounding.

To the extent we can see beyond our point of failure,

it shows us what we can be,

what we might be,

if we commit ourselves to

being better,

by doing better,

because we know better is out there

calling to us.

It doesn’t taunt or tease.

It bows our head in defeat

showing us

the line

we stand on

is the starting line.