Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We're travelling by train, and from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.
But uppermost in our minds is our final destination - for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the station with bells ringing, flags waving and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.
"Yes, when we reach the station, that will be it!" we promise ourselves. "When we're 18 ... win that promotion ... put the last kid through college ... buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz ... pay off the mortgage ... have a nest egg for retirement. From that day on, we will live happily ever after.
Sooner or later, we must realise there is no station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is joy. The station is an illusion - it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday's a number, tomorrow's a dream. Yesterday belongs to history; tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday's a fading sunset, tomorrow's a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.
So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow.
So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot more often. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along.
Robert J Hastings
 | Calm My Anxious Heart : A Woman's Guide to Contentment
by Linda Dillow; Price: $10.78(23% off)
Customer Review:Redefines a woman's view of contentment. Written by a person who has struggled with worry. What a different world this would be if every woman read this book. This will be ... [Buy from Amazon.com] |
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