Life Unfolding
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
Today is the last day we will spend with quotes from Leo Buscaglia's book. During the last five weeks we have taken time to read insights gained during his travels in Asia. We have taken time to compare his insights with insights I gained from a recent trip to Rwanda. Thank you for letting me share my experiences with you.
Are you enjoying your voyage? As I write this final devotion I have a mental picture of the day we spent with the Batwa tribe in rural Rwanda. The Batwa are few in number these days, but they continue to gather their food from the forests, live in community and make crude clay pots that they sell to those who stop in their community. No store front, no commercialism, just simplicity. Only a few know their national language and none of them know English.
They have no knowledge of the values I've grown to embrace, but they seemed to understand far better than many people I encounter in my own land that sharing life with a stranger is the best way to let life unfold. Just thought I'd try to paint a picture of the Batwa people so you could enjoy your weekend as it unfolds.
Ben Keckler
11.07.08
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, November 6
Living in this Moment
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
As we live our lives as citizens in a global community, it is good to remember that we only have the moment we are in. We probably will have more than just this moment, but it isn’t guaranteed. So, take good care of each moment you have. I believe that when we truly live in this moment, we will discover our personal health improving and we will see the world through the lens of compassion rather than competition.
Ben Keckler
11.06.08
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
As we live our lives as citizens in a global community, it is good to remember that we only have the moment we are in. We probably will have more than just this moment, but it isn’t guaranteed. So, take good care of each moment you have. I believe that when we truly live in this moment, we will discover our personal health improving and we will see the world through the lens of compassion rather than competition.
Ben Keckler
11.06.08
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, November 5
Living Together
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
I was astounded when traveling in Rwanda to learn that, when perpetrators of the genocide are released from prison, they move into villages across the country where they live next door to a family who were victims in the genocide. The picture was quite different than the way we treat those who are known perpetrators. I had trouble understanding how this method of genocidal recovery could possibly work.
Last week my wife shared a story from Cambodia, another country that experienced genocide years ago. The story mentioned how perpetrators and victims were “forced” to live side by side. Years later, they continue to live together in community.
Survivors are living in the now. They are learning to see one another in a healthier way. They are finding their way as life unfolds. Pretty interesting.
Ben Keckler
11.05.08
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
I was astounded when traveling in Rwanda to learn that, when perpetrators of the genocide are released from prison, they move into villages across the country where they live next door to a family who were victims in the genocide. The picture was quite different than the way we treat those who are known perpetrators. I had trouble understanding how this method of genocidal recovery could possibly work.
Last week my wife shared a story from Cambodia, another country that experienced genocide years ago. The story mentioned how perpetrators and victims were “forced” to live side by side. Years later, they continue to live together in community.
Survivors are living in the now. They are learning to see one another in a healthier way. They are finding their way as life unfolds. Pretty interesting.
Ben Keckler
11.05.08
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, November 4
Allowing Life to Unfold
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
Are you letting your life unfold? We tend to put a great deal of emphasis on planning. Today each of us is voicing our opinions about who we would like to have lead us politically – locally, statewide and nationally. We will not vote identically, but at the end of the day we will have a number of newly elected officials.
Regardless of who is elected, our lives will continue unfolding. The voyage will continue and we will move ahead through some very difficult waters. What I can tell you is that in these days of diminishing stockpiles of anticipated future gains, each of us will be taken care of.
The most important task of today is to vote. The most important task tomorrow is to respect the leaders who are chosen and continue to give the day your very best. If each of us does that, all will be well!
--Ben Keckler
11.04.08
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
Are you letting your life unfold? We tend to put a great deal of emphasis on planning. Today each of us is voicing our opinions about who we would like to have lead us politically – locally, statewide and nationally. We will not vote identically, but at the end of the day we will have a number of newly elected officials.
Regardless of who is elected, our lives will continue unfolding. The voyage will continue and we will move ahead through some very difficult waters. What I can tell you is that in these days of diminishing stockpiles of anticipated future gains, each of us will be taken care of.
The most important task of today is to vote. The most important task tomorrow is to respect the leaders who are chosen and continue to give the day your very best. If each of us does that, all will be well!
--Ben Keckler
11.04.08
Monday, November 3, 2008
Daily Devotions - Monday, November 3
Live in the Moment
“Don’t worry about tomorrow,
tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
--A teaching from Jesus as remembered by Matthew (6: 34)
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
A number of years ago Mr. Buscaglia took a wonderful journey through Asia assimilating their traditions into his understanding about the mystery of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. So, another way to title the book could be The Way of Life.
When we live with folks unaccustomed to Western culture, we discover people of faith whose values are very different. Leo Buscaglia learned this on his trip to Asia. The above quote is part of his summary statements. In many ways he echoes the words from the Sermon on the Mount (see the Scripture quote). It would be good to meditate on these quotes this week.
As we live our lives, it is good to remember that we only have the moment we are in. Obviously, we probably will have more than just this moment, but it isn’t guaranteed. So, take good care of each moment you have. If we live in this moment, we will truly be healthier.
Ben Keckler
11.03.08
“Don’t worry about tomorrow,
tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
--A teaching from Jesus as remembered by Matthew (6: 34)
“I was never told that man ‘possesses’ nothing.
I have learned, most importantly, that a WAY will only have reality
As it relates to living in the now.
Life isn’t the goal; it’s the voyage,
and the only reality seems to lie in allowing life to unfold.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull)
A number of years ago Mr. Buscaglia took a wonderful journey through Asia assimilating their traditions into his understanding about the mystery of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. So, another way to title the book could be The Way of Life.
When we live with folks unaccustomed to Western culture, we discover people of faith whose values are very different. Leo Buscaglia learned this on his trip to Asia. The above quote is part of his summary statements. In many ways he echoes the words from the Sermon on the Mount (see the Scripture quote). It would be good to meditate on these quotes this week.
As we live our lives, it is good to remember that we only have the moment we are in. Obviously, we probably will have more than just this moment, but it isn’t guaranteed. So, take good care of each moment you have. If we live in this moment, we will truly be healthier.
Ben Keckler
11.03.08
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
