Brian’s Reflection: Monday, March 5, 2012

I will love the light
for it shows me the way,
yet I will endure the darkness
for it shows me the stars.

Og Mandino


“Light”. I was thinking about it today, as Dennis and I walked the Dragonfly Trail in the Gila National Forest. It was a magical New Mexico day at 6300 feet in early March. Warm … even the wind; we were in polo shirts. and sandals. The sky an endless blue from horizon to horizon. Western bluebirds getting bluer as Spring approaches; Western Scrub-jays more vibrant; Dark-eyed Juncos their tails flitting white. I was so glad that I could see clearly and sharply … I had been taking Vesicare which did indeed help my problematic issues after radiation and seed implants for prostate cancer, but it blurred my vision! Not acceptable … to me. But, Life hands us these things to deal with … and I will always choose quality of Life!

Anyway: the New Mexico light was enchanting this morning. It shouted of the joy of this Earth, of the wonder of being Human, in a simple, clear way. I was indeed enchanted! How I do enjoy being able to tell people that Dennis and I live on the Trail of the Mountain Spirits in the Land of Enchantment!

Have you ever tried to make your way in the pitch dark with a bright light in your hand? I have. You’re blinded. You have to put the light aside in order not to stumble. It’s because you’re looking too limitedly. I’ve found that in order to navigate Life successfully, you have to take the long view. In Christian mythology, it’s the message of the Transfiguration.

“Light” shows the Way. And I thank God that we have many Lights! There is such Wisdom available about this Path we are born to walk! Glorious minds and hearts from human beings who are epiphanies of “God” … the name we give to the Wonder that gives Life to Life. In my culture, I was led to Jesus Christ and the Gospel … and over the years I have jettisoned all the baggage that has been loaded on Him and seen His simple Message: Love One Another”. If those who followed Him loved and loved His Message, the World would be so very different.

We tend to negativize “darkness”. But essentially, “Faith” is embracing the Darkness. I see Darkness as the great Mystery that Life is. We try so hard to comprehend it all … but Life can’t be “comprehended”. It wasn’t meant to be comprehended. It was meant to be wondered at and danced with and gone on adventures with. When we can do that, we are free. We have discovered what it means to Live.

“Endure”? I think it only has to be “endured” if we do not know we are God’s Child. When we know we are Of God, the Dark leads us down the road to the “stars” … to the unfettered Kingdom of Love.

I am beyond “endurance”. I have been gifted with Abandonment.

It’s the only Way.

Brian+