Circular Pathways

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."

Soren Kierkegaard 

While taking a stroll down memory lane, I began to notice the frequency of my travels revisiting circular pathways. The scenery was different, acquaintances were not the same, and situations varied; and yet, there was a repetitive theme. Slowly, I began to discover that everything was triggered by impaired decisions.

Unpacking cultural mind-shrink, I could now see that I rarely recognized the choices before me, and even if I did, fear would prevent me from choosing. Gradually, I would begin to explore options, but quickly recanted them, pressured by others. It would take years before I grasped that caring for others is worthy, but not at the expense of self.

I began the journey into my past once again, but this time I shined my inner light. I looked through new eyes of accountability, releasing self-imposed restraints. I was flooded with new appreciation for myself and clarity of how I could proceed. With each new step, inner peace abounds. I finally get to be me! 

Quest for Deeper Understanding

       

  

"The functions of prayer is not to influence God,

but rather to change the nature of 

the one who prays."

Soren Kierkegaard

As little children, we learn to say our night time prayers and prayers prior to meals.  I am certain the young ones are more concerned about keeping their eyes squished closed than grasping the meaning of any of the words. 

Then educational religious instruction settles in with memorization of lengthier prayers.  Again, the child is more keen to getting the words in order than relating deeply to the prayer.

Crisis, challenge or devastation propels us to learn new words to cast into a prayer.  We ask, we beg, and we plead.  Further along the road, we experience prayer as a communication connecting us to all things.  Prayers evolve into thanksgiving and praise, quest for deeper understanding and experiences to live our prayers.