Inspirational Short Story, Female Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

If the best man's faults

were written on his forehead,

it would make him pull

his hat over his eyes.

-- Gaelic proverb

When we deal with our faults and imperfections, we are dealing with the basic issues of being a person.

We can become bitter and cynical about the imperfections of others, or we can realize every person is incomplete but growing, just as we are.

The way we look at the faults in others and the way we look at our own are closely tied together.

In our spiritual journey, we must begin with the premise that no person ever achieves perfection.

Perfection apparently is not what this life is about at all, since perfection is nonexistent. We are lovable, and we can love in the process of living our lives.

Since we are not perfect, we have to be accountable. We must have standards for our behavior and hold ourselves to those standards, admitting our mistakes and making repairs where we can.

I came to see the damage that was done

and the treasures that prevail.

-- Adrienne Rich

It takes great courage to face ourselves -- to look honestly and fearlessly at our behavior, especially if we have done and said things we are not proud of. We may have caused a lot of sadness in our own and others' lives. It's not easy to look at.

But let's remember, too, that what we do and say is not all of who we are. And let's also look at the treasures in ourselves -- those things we have said and done that have brought great comfort, joy, and love into the lives of others.

Beneath the negative parts of ourselves, deep within us, is a kernel of good.

Let's look for that as well, and water it so it can grow -- so we can grow into the persons we are meant to be.

And the seasons, they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We can't return, we can only look

Behind from where we came

And go round and round and round

In the circle game.

-- Joni Mitchell

High in the mountains near Sun Valley, Idaho, is a small cabin. The cabin is always left open for hikers to rest and refresh themselves. There is food in the cabin and wood for a fire.

Often, weary backpackers have arrived there, tired and thirsty, to find just the beverage or snack they needed to help them on their way.

The cabin operates on a system of trust -- if you use something in the cabin, you replace it with something else. Perhaps it is just the thing the next traveler needs to go on.

It is a circle game.

We are all part of a big circle. If we give of ourselves or do a favor for someone, eventually -- sometimes years later -- someone will do something for us that will help us on our way.

We do these little deeds without expecting to be rewarded, and we can accept others' little gifts without feeling forever in someone's debt. These unselfish acts, stored in our mountain cabin, stand ready for the next traveler.

__________

10/25/2024

Native American banners from Silverhawk's Native American Graphics

( Permission to use the copyrighted images of Jean-Paul Avisse is licensed from Prestige Art Galleries, Inc. )