A Resolution We Can Stick To
As curtains close on another year, we scurry in the wings to manage the set for next year’s opening. Scenes from the new season’s production include vacations we may take, places we may visit, promotions we may strive for, celebrations we may attend. In all the roles we may play in 2008, we picture ourselves as healthy and robust, confident and relaxed, waiting to take on any challenge or enjoy each scenario that presents itself.
No matter what part we play in our minds or in reality, one scenario that we annually partake in involves pledging to indulge less and exercise more to render our characters fit, even svelte, regardless of which role we land.
Having directed theater, I can sometimes see life as an imitation of the stage rather than visa versa. Men and women seem to fit themselves into roles, living as others perceive them, rather than in living lives true to who they are. Part of this image consciousness seems to center around their physical appearance, believing it to be the great equalizer in determining a person’s worth before they can be accepted, held in esteem, or even be considered attractive.
I’m not putting myself above any of the aforementioned. I, too, struggle with the anticipated roles and make a part of my resolutions the exercise and dieting regimen that I envision will assist the best performance in any part I play.
Thank goodness, my insightful son and his equally astute girlfriend provided me with salient reminders of what is most meaningful in remaining who we are or in becoming better who we are’s than in trying to perfect outer appearances. They gave me not only the gift of their presence but also a present that happens to be a remarkable gift: a copy of the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese poem written by Lao-tzu. The poem traditionally has been translated into 81 chapters. The ninth chapter as translated by John Bright-Fey reads as follows:
pull an archer’s bow past the limits of its construction
fill a gallon jug with two gallons of water
hone a knife to an excessively sharp edge
stretch overly a muscle towards achievement
all that you get is a
drained
dulled split
and broken
deformation of the miraculous
if you judge yourself by material things
that are temporarily in your possession
you will always be worried about who will take possession
of them next
if you are too proud of these material things
then you are courting personal disaster
the tao source of life has some advice for you
pause activity
enjoin with it
engage poise and relaxation
For me, all this harkens to recent inspiration offered in a homily by Rev. Lawrence J. McNeil. Father McNeil said that in this season of expectations, we may be placing our hopes in external realities, instead of discovering that hope and its realization springs eternally from the goodness that resides within us. That we should expect great things to come from the miraculous within each one of us and not necessarily go seeking outside for miracles or signs or manifestations, small or large. That we should ever be prepared for and expectant of what may be revealed to us quite unexpectedly.
Maybe our primary resolution this year should be one that is readily attainable and guaranteed to make us feel good about ourselves. Let’s not overdo. Let’s not focus our thoughts on our material beings, what we have or don’t have, what we look like or don’t look like. Rather, let’s pause and appreciate ourselves for the goodness we know lives within us and recognize the goodness in others. Let’s wake expectant to receive the miracle in every day and in each life we encounter, to land a nomination for best supporting role in every act we play this coming year.
Please send poems, reflections, ideas to <michaeljhoover@gmail.com>. First Fridays, 4Jan08, will feature Melissa Carl after an open mic at 7:00 at The Ragged Edge Coffee House, 110 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg. Include hearing this gifted poet in your resolutions. You will be unexpectedly pleased you did.
As curtains close on another year, we scurry in the wings to manage the set for next year’s opening. Scenes from the new season’s production include vacations we may take, places we may visit, promotions we may strive for, celebrations we may attend. In all the roles we may play in 2008, we picture ourselves as healthy and robust, confident and relaxed, waiting to take on any challenge or enjoy each scenario that presents itself.
No matter what part we play in our minds or in reality, one scenario that we annually partake in involves pledging to indulge less and exercise more to render our characters fit, even svelte, regardless of which role we land.
Having directed theater, I can sometimes see life as an imitation of the stage rather than visa versa. Men and women seem to fit themselves into roles, living as others perceive them, rather than in living lives true to who they are. Part of this image consciousness seems to center around their physical appearance, believing it to be the great equalizer in determining a person’s worth before they can be accepted, held in esteem, or even be considered attractive.
I’m not putting myself above any of the aforementioned. I, too, struggle with the anticipated roles and make a part of my resolutions the exercise and dieting regimen that I envision will assist the best performance in any part I play.
Thank goodness, my insightful son and his equally astute girlfriend provided me with salient reminders of what is most meaningful in remaining who we are or in becoming better who we are’s than in trying to perfect outer appearances. They gave me not only the gift of their presence but also a present that happens to be a remarkable gift: a copy of the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese poem written by Lao-tzu. The poem traditionally has been translated into 81 chapters. The ninth chapter as translated by John Bright-Fey reads as follows:
pull an archer’s bow past the limits of its construction
fill a gallon jug with two gallons of water
hone a knife to an excessively sharp edge
stretch overly a muscle towards achievement
all that you get is a
drained
dulled split
and broken
deformation of the miraculous
if you judge yourself by material things
that are temporarily in your possession
you will always be worried about who will take possession
of them next
if you are too proud of these material things
then you are courting personal disaster
the tao source of life has some advice for you
pause activity
enjoin with it
engage poise and relaxation
For me, all this harkens to recent inspiration offered in a homily by Rev. Lawrence J. McNeil. Father McNeil said that in this season of expectations, we may be placing our hopes in external realities, instead of discovering that hope and its realization springs eternally from the goodness that resides within us. That we should expect great things to come from the miraculous within each one of us and not necessarily go seeking outside for miracles or signs or manifestations, small or large. That we should ever be prepared for and expectant of what may be revealed to us quite unexpectedly.
Maybe our primary resolution this year should be one that is readily attainable and guaranteed to make us feel good about ourselves. Let’s not overdo. Let’s not focus our thoughts on our material beings, what we have or don’t have, what we look like or don’t look like. Rather, let’s pause and appreciate ourselves for the goodness we know lives within us and recognize the goodness in others. Let’s wake expectant to receive the miracle in every day and in each life we encounter, to land a nomination for best supporting role in every act we play this coming year.
Please send poems, reflections, ideas to <michaeljhoover@gmail.com>. First Fridays, 4Jan08, will feature Melissa Carl after an open mic at 7:00 at The Ragged Edge Coffee House, 110 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg. Include hearing this gifted poet in your resolutions. You will be unexpectedly pleased you did.