If You Are........

When my children were small, we had a wall where they could stand to be measured to see how tall they were at that time. We would put a little mark on the wall to show how high the top of their head came. They loved it when the next time they were measured showed they had grown quite a bit.

To me, the reading for today from the Tao Te Ching is a way to measure how I am growing as a human being into the kind of qualities described in these words. I like the image of myself as a child growing naturally into my full height. Like a child, I don't have to somehow make myself grow. It will happen naturally if I am nurturing my soul with wisdom like this, and avoiding whatever might stunt my growth. What I fill my mind and heart with is what I will become.

Words like these are good for filling our minds and hearts.

If you know how other people behave, you are intelligent.

If you know yourself, you are wise.

If you are able to overcome other people, you are strong.

If you can overcome your self, you are stronger.

If you are content with your circumstances, you are fortunate.

if you are content with yourself, you are rich.

The greatest evil is to want more. The worst misfortune is discontent.

The most terrible curse is greed.

If you know when enough is enough, you know enough.

If you persevere in the face of adversity, you have determination.

If you remain unmoved in the face of temptation or pressure, you have courage.

If you are happy to live until you die, then you will live as long as you want.

If you are large-minded and open-hearted, the whole world belongs to you.

You will not be in conflict with other living beings, but live in peace.

Your life will be serene.

My response:

I will keep these words of wisdom in my mind and heart

to protect me from discontent and greed, and to remind me

how to live a serene life.

The last three lines are a wonderful reminder of the rewards of being large minded and open hearted.

That is my desire, and those are the kind of people I most resonate with.

They are also the kind of people most likely to want to explore and enjoy Gardens of Faith other than whatever their own may be. I imagine those of you who read this blog are among them. May your life be full of peace and serenity.