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| National Road Marker |
While returning from a trip a few weeks ago I took old Route 40, which runs parallel to Interstate 70 between Columbus and Zanesville, Ohio. Route 40 was an east-west road known as the National Road, crossing a total of 12 states. In Ohio this road stretched from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Maysville, Ohio. Some of the old mile markers can still be seen along the sides of the road there. I grew up seeing these markers along the National Road.
This old sign brought back many memories of travel on Route 40 as well as the cars my parents traveled in. Travel was slower, mostly single lanes and often bumpy. There was no cruise control, no air conditioning and no frequent waysides along the way. We didn't know any better. We had heard of horse and buggy travel so this was great...then.
The old road has been replaced by faster, wider and easier roads to drive. The signage is much different, easier to read and often with electronic capability to alert drivers for increased safety. I would much rather travel on this kind of highway.
How often do we compare our behaviors and situations with then and now, often judging ourselves from today's perspectives? Do we beat ourselves up, saying we "should have" done something differently or do we embrace the past and know how it has helped shape the present? Often we can help reshape the present in very wonderful, positive ways. On a personal level, ways and events of the past can influence us in the present in order to live life differently, more lovingly and compassionately than our past might have been.
Choices to upgrade the National Road making travel much easier and comfortable were not without resistances, challenges and frustrations. However, on a personal level, there are times when we would like to hang on to behaviors of the past. What kind of a person do we want to be and what must be done to become that person? What "markers" are we following now compared to yesterday. There is no need to regret the past nor shut the door on it but each day is a new day for spiritual progress for each of us!
Molly LaFond is a spiritual director and is now taking new clients. She is able to offer appointments in either location of Two Rivers or Crivitz, WI. She can be reached at 920 793-3530. For more information also see:mollylafond.com
It seems like yesterday when the sun was rising very, very early, maybe 4 am or a bit later. Yesterday I headed off for a destination at 6 am and the crack of dawn was only becoming obvious. Daylight Savings Time ends at the end of this month but that will wreck havoc with daylight at the end of the day! I hate that thought!
More importantly though, how do we deal with light and dark in our own lives? Do we realize that we actually have the ability to change and transform darkness into light? It depends the light within us that we are able to shed on that darkness that makes the difference. We have known this all along, that our thoughts make or break us in situations.
Think of being outside in an area where there are absolutely no building or street lights around. We can scare ourselves to death thinking wild animals are lurking behind the trees or look up to the stars and think of the wonder of creation, seeing the Big Dipper and if lucky, maybe even the Aurora Borealis!
We actually need the darkness, as well as the light. It is intertwined. Figuratively, how do each of us light up our path of life each day with our thoughts and activities? We can surround our selves with others to talk things out with when we're afraid, we can prepare for those dark times in ways that give us more confidence. By choosing our path, perhaps taking another path, light will come, rather than darkness. Imagining a scenario that sheds light on a situation may help. There are so many options each one of us can personalize for ourselves.
So, when we're cranky because of the short days we can say that no sooner than the day seems so short and dark, before we know it, each day will begin to get longer and lighter! This happens every year, whether we like it or not. What choice will we make this day? Choose to shed light in those otherwise dark areas with optimistic thoughts? Maybe these next couple of months won't seem so long after all. The days will begin to get longer and lighter December 22. At least they did last year and the year before that...and that!!
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| Black Hills Bison |
While in the Black Hills recently for the Buffalo Round Up, buffalo "wallowing" caught my attention. The only thing I ever associated "wallowing" with was if someone was "wallowing in a pity pot" but it is really a good thing for buffalo and other animals.
Buffalo wallow in order to keep cool, avoid biting insects, for sun protection and grooming or sometimes just to have fun! As they wallow a depression in the soil is made and that depression helps create a water source when it rains, as well as altering the soil.
I was pondering just how our own "wallowing" is beneficial to us and others. This comes on the heels of just spending some wonderful time with a long time friend who will be 90 years old in a week. We lingered over lunch last week for over two hours sharing and reminiscing! This time was delightful.
Animal wallows are all different, depending on the animal. Ours are too. What one person considers to be a "wallow", (perhaps quilting or painting), another person would find completely of no interest. What is that for each of us...something that fills our spirit as we spend time experiencing an interest, savoring or delighting in? It's amazing how a marvelous animal such as a Black Hills buffalo can be so inspiring!
Molly LaFond is a spiritual director and is now accepting new clients. She offers appointments our of either Two Rivers or Crivitz, WI. For more information see: mollylafond.com
