I’ve made reference to this idea in other blogs, certainly in talks I have given over the years, and in simple, very ordinary conversations with friends. It’s an idea that isn’t original with me. I’m not even sure it was original with Earnie Larson, but he’s the man I heard say it ever so many decades ago. At the time he said it, I had no idea how relevant the idea was becoming to my life as I slowly changed; changes that were the result of working a twelve step program, a program that changed absolutely every thing in my life; and continues to influence me in profound ways. Now I understand “Where ever you go, there you are” as a shorthand way of saying that if nothing changes, nothing changes. I think we can all relate to that. I think we can also all relate to the Truth that we can’t change any one else, ever! But we surely can change ourselves, one characteristic at a time.
I’m pondering as to why it came to mind so vividly as I was doing my walking meditation this morning, and I think it came because of some workshop assignments I gave to the group I was leading in a retreat just a week ago at the Dan Anderson Renewal Center at Hazelden in Center City, MN. (A beautiful place if you have never been there. Check out their website: www.hazelden.org, and go to the Dan Anderson Renewal section.) The closing assignment was to write a letter to yourself from 20 years in the future, commenting on what was accomplished, what was discarded in the way of ideas; and the goals that were still waiting to be committed to.
I asked the participants to email me a copy of the letter if they chose to, but I have received only one email so far, one out of 22. Hmmm. Perhaps not an assignment that captivated them as much as it captivated me. I do think “envisioning” what will be from the perspective of its already happened, is an interesting way to “see” what we really want to do in the next phase of our life. It’s an assignment I too plan to do. I may even do it here, before your very eyes! What I know for sure is that whatever we want to do has already been “thought about” within the quiet spaces of our spirit mind. Nothing really ever happens that hasn’t already been contemplated in those inner recesses. What an interesting thought that is. To me. Perhaps to you too. If so, perhaps you will want to try the assignment also.
Be at peace. God is watching. . .
