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The winter if 1995-96 was the snowiest on record. I was far from home and family, spending several months working on a temporary assignment in New Hampshire. My career was stalled, and the assignment was intended to break it loose. With added drama, my employer--the federal government--was poised on the brink of shutdown over budget gridlock between the President and Congress. Furlough was imminent.
One Saturday morning during that time, I took a long drive by myself, feeling lonely and adrift but enjoying the vision of New England at Christmas: a candle and wreath in every window. As I drove into yet another picture-perfect town, the sign for a small independent bookstore caught my eye. Within minutes, I was settled in, scanning the bookshelves over a cup of hot cider.
The book I bought that day is Daily Meditations for Practicing the Course, by Karen Casey. It is battered and taped after serving as a faithful companion for 16 years. The meditation for New Year's Day remains my all-time favorite. I turn to it whenever I feel lonely and adrift, wondering what to do with my life. Read on and enjoy!
We are exactly where we need to be right now.
It's good to be reminded that we are where we need to be, particularly if we're prone to think we are missing out on some opportunity or fearful that we aren't making significant progress in our careers or other areas. When we doubt that we're doing enough in any regard, this principle helps us quiet down and ready ourselves to peacefully do the next thing. It will always surface.
It's comforting to realize there are no accidents, no coincidences happening in our lives. What we need to experience, to learn, to teach, in order to complete our journey home, will spring forth when the timing is perfect. We'll never have to search in vain for our next assignment. It will capture our attention.
There is never a need for lamentations. If we haven't fulfilled some task to our satisfaction, we can redo it. Now. If we haven't treated a companion or co-worker respectfully, we can make amends. Now. There isn't anything complicated about how to move through this day or these activities. We simply need to walk with the Holy Spirit and we'll get to our destination on time.
There are no mistakes in what comes my way today.
How I respond depends on who I ask to help me see the circumstances.
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