Offer Up Goodness

When in pain, offer the suffering

as a sacrifice for a loved one.

Unknown

Several years ago, my life was interrupted with a physical ailment.  I knew in time it would heal, but in the present moment, I felt pain.  Climbing stairs was especially painful, so I began to dedicate each stair to one of my children.  My focus shifted from the pain to  labeling a stair with the face of one of my kids.  I offered the pain in exchange for their safety.

There were thirty stairs to climb morning, noon and afternoon which my doctor insisted was the physical therapy I needed.  The repetitive behavior collided with my attention span, so I began to include the faces of friends offering them love or healing or understanding.  I didn't share this private routine with anyone.

Eventually, the pain went away, but I still had the daily stairs to climb.  I found great pleasure in maintaining my sacred climb as an offering to others, always beginning with my children.  To this day, I will offer up my effort for  goodness to others.