Verdanta

I’ve been feeling ungrounded lately.  Like one of those cartoon characters whose feet are running a hundred miles an hour, but because those feet aren’t touching the ground, they aren’t going anywhere.

I know I need to be patient like the tortoise, but I’m happiest when I know what I need to be doing.  Even the tortoise knew exactly what his next step was: his next step!

I prayed for assistance the other day, about what I needed to do next.  The answer was, “it will become clear.”  In other words, be patient! 

Last week, I met with my friend and mentor Kevin, and told him my problem.  He gave me some excellent advice: Make a list of all the things I need to do, then make a list of 5 things I would like to see done in the next week.  I made the lists last night because I was meeting with him today to report.  To be thorough, I also made a list of what I had accomplished over the past week.  I was surprised at how much I had gotten done!  And I’ve already gotten three big things done on my list for next week.  What a great tip – thanks Kevin!

I had a dream a few nights ago: I was in a house on the side of  steep hill.  We all knew it was only a matter of time before the rain washed out the foundation, and the house slid down the hill, so we were already looking for a new place to go.  Sure enough, first one end of the house tilted, followed quickly by the other, and there we all were, sliding down the hill in our house.  Fortunately, as dreams go, when the house finally came to a rest, it was still remarkably intact.  When I looked around at where we were, I saw that we had landed exactly where we had decided was the perfect location! 

I did a little research and discovered that the house is symbolic of self, and mud symbolizes being stuck.  Sound familiar?  I have definitely been feeling stuck lately!  When I realized this, I had that “Hand of God” feeling, and I knew that everything was going to work out just fine!  But then, I knew that already, didn’t I?

Oh God! Refresh and gladden my spirit.  Purify my heart. Illumine my powers.  I lay all my affairs in Thy hand.  Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.  I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved, I will be a happy and joyful being.  O God!  I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me.  I will not dwell on the unpleasant things in life.  O God!  Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.  I dedicate myself to Thee O Lord!

- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá