Allowing Life to Unfold
“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)
This week we have traveled with Leo in order to explore some life-lessons. I hope you read some of Buscaglia’s writings; they are wonderful. He took a journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull represents life. 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 different than ours. 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 not just today but throughout the weekend.
As you live your life, it is good to remember that you only have the moment you are in. Obviously, you probably will have more than just this moment but it isn’t guaranteed. So, take good care of each moment you have. When we practice living in the moment, we build a far more peaceful world.
--Ben Keckler
10.7.11
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, October 6
A Time for Fellowship
“…They broke bread in their homes
and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”
--An insight about the lifestyle of early Christians (Acts 2: 46, 47)
“We need not climb the mountain to see into the valley.
All things to be seen can be found in a simple shared bowl of rice.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 159
I hope you have read some of Buscaglia’s writings. He took a wonderful journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. Another way to title the book could be The Way of Life. This week we have traveled with Leo to explore some life-lessons.
When Buscaglia reached the mountains of Nepal he saw splendid views of valleys below. A few years ago I was privileged to climb a glacier in Norway and gaze across the farms in the valley. Like Mr. Buscaglia, I have mental pictures of natural beauty. But I must agree with Leo that the really important aspects of a wonderful trip are the times spent with fellow travelers enjoying a cup of coffee or a nice dinner, listening to the stories about their journey through the mountains and valleys of life. Fellowship with one another allows us to travel through life feeling the strength of companionship.
At our home we have a little saying we practice in all our relationships. It goes like this: “The purpose in life is not to see through each other, but to see each other through.” Enjoy sharing life with others today.
--Ben Keckler
10.6.11
“…They broke bread in their homes
and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”
--An insight about the lifestyle of early Christians (Acts 2: 46, 47)
“We need not climb the mountain to see into the valley.
All things to be seen can be found in a simple shared bowl of rice.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 159
I hope you have read some of Buscaglia’s writings. He took a wonderful journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. Another way to title the book could be The Way of Life. This week we have traveled with Leo to explore some life-lessons.
When Buscaglia reached the mountains of Nepal he saw splendid views of valleys below. A few years ago I was privileged to climb a glacier in Norway and gaze across the farms in the valley. Like Mr. Buscaglia, I have mental pictures of natural beauty. But I must agree with Leo that the really important aspects of a wonderful trip are the times spent with fellow travelers enjoying a cup of coffee or a nice dinner, listening to the stories about their journey through the mountains and valleys of life. Fellowship with one another allows us to travel through life feeling the strength of companionship.
At our home we have a little saying we practice in all our relationships. It goes like this: “The purpose in life is not to see through each other, but to see each other through.” Enjoy sharing life with others today.
--Ben Keckler
10.6.11
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, October 5
Responding to Life
“If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you,
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…
but as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.”
--Joshua to the people of Israel (Joshua 24:15)
“Don’t spend your precious time asking
“Why isn’t the world a better place?’
It will only be time wasted.
A better question to ask is ‘How can I make it better?’
To that question there is an answer.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 125
I hope you have been able to read some of Buscaglia’s writings, they are wonderful. He took a journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. Another way to title the book could be The Way of Life. This week we are traveling with Leo to explore some life-lessons.
From time to time we encounter things that can really have an impact on our lives. We may experience the tough times that Joshua and the people of Israel experienced on the wilderness journey before Joshua issued the statement printed above. We may journey to Calcutta like Buscaglia did; there he found the poverty and living conditions to be almost overwhelming. We may walk into the room of a patient here at the hospital and find a devastated family. We may vacation in some part of our great land and see some deplorable sights that leave a memorable impression. Recent experiences of the natural disasters in 2011 have taken their toll on millions.
The way we respond to such encounters is important. Joshua and Leo Buscaglia give us some valuable insights.
A prayer: God, guide my life and fill me with appropriate responses. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.5.11
“If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you,
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…
but as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.”
--Joshua to the people of Israel (Joshua 24:15)
“Don’t spend your precious time asking
“Why isn’t the world a better place?’
It will only be time wasted.
A better question to ask is ‘How can I make it better?’
To that question there is an answer.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 125
I hope you have been able to read some of Buscaglia’s writings, they are wonderful. He took a journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. Another way to title the book could be The Way of Life. This week we are traveling with Leo to explore some life-lessons.
From time to time we encounter things that can really have an impact on our lives. We may experience the tough times that Joshua and the people of Israel experienced on the wilderness journey before Joshua issued the statement printed above. We may journey to Calcutta like Buscaglia did; there he found the poverty and living conditions to be almost overwhelming. We may walk into the room of a patient here at the hospital and find a devastated family. We may vacation in some part of our great land and see some deplorable sights that leave a memorable impression. Recent experiences of the natural disasters in 2011 have taken their toll on millions.
The way we respond to such encounters is important. Joshua and Leo Buscaglia give us some valuable insights.
A prayer: God, guide my life and fill me with appropriate responses. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.5.11
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, October 4
Receptivity
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified
for the Lord your God goes with you and will never leave or forsake you.”
--Moses to the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6)
“We must learn to let go as easily as we grasp
or we will find our hands full and our minds empty.
Though every hello is the beginning of a goodbye, do not lose heart;
for every goodbye may also be the beginning of another hello.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 63
I hope you have been able to read some of Buscaglia’s wonderful writings. He took a journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. Another way to title the book could be The Way of Life. Throughout the week we are traveling with Leo to explore some life-lessons.
Today’s scripture verse finds Moses giving a “goodbye speech”. He is turning over the torch of leadership to Joshua. Today we find Leo Buscaglia in Saigon growing in his understanding of the “hello-goodbye-hello” saga that is so much a part of life.
As Buscaglia free-lanced throughout Asia, he met Lat, a tour guide who invited him to be a part of her tour group. Lat was very personable and welcoming. He returned her kindness, inviting her to dinner that night. He learned a great deal about Vietnamese culture (after dinner they went to an opera) and they made plans to meet again the next day for additional touring. She didn’t show the next day at the appointed time but as he writes, “I returned to my hotel to find a note that read, ‘Work did not permit me any free time to see you again. Continue to have a good trip. Return to Saigon after the war.”
Take some time today to recall some moments when the “hello-goodbye-hello” experience helped your personal development. Today may be a time when you will encounter the “hello-goodbye-hello” saga. Enjoy gaining all you can from every encounter with another person of God’s creation.
A prayer: God, keep me receptive. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.4.11
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified
for the Lord your God goes with you and will never leave or forsake you.”
--Moses to the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6)
“We must learn to let go as easily as we grasp
or we will find our hands full and our minds empty.
Though every hello is the beginning of a goodbye, do not lose heart;
for every goodbye may also be the beginning of another hello.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 63
I hope you have been able to read some of Buscaglia’s wonderful writings. He took a journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. Another way to title the book could be The Way of Life. Throughout the week we are traveling with Leo to explore some life-lessons.
Today’s scripture verse finds Moses giving a “goodbye speech”. He is turning over the torch of leadership to Joshua. Today we find Leo Buscaglia in Saigon growing in his understanding of the “hello-goodbye-hello” saga that is so much a part of life.
As Buscaglia free-lanced throughout Asia, he met Lat, a tour guide who invited him to be a part of her tour group. Lat was very personable and welcoming. He returned her kindness, inviting her to dinner that night. He learned a great deal about Vietnamese culture (after dinner they went to an opera) and they made plans to meet again the next day for additional touring. She didn’t show the next day at the appointed time but as he writes, “I returned to my hotel to find a note that read, ‘Work did not permit me any free time to see you again. Continue to have a good trip. Return to Saigon after the war.”
Take some time today to recall some moments when the “hello-goodbye-hello” experience helped your personal development. Today may be a time when you will encounter the “hello-goodbye-hello” saga. Enjoy gaining all you can from every encounter with another person of God’s creation.
A prayer: God, keep me receptive. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.4.11
Daily Devotion - Monday, October 3
“Who is my neighbor?”
--A question posed to Jesus (Luke 10:29)
“To deny ourselves the knowledge even of a single person is to lose
the central piece of the jigsaw puzzle.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 35
I hope you have been able to read some of Buscaglia’s writings; they are wonderful. He took a wonderful journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. Another way to title the book could be The Way of Life. Throughout the week we are going to travel with Leo to explore some life-lessons.
While in Thailand he met Mack and Pricha; his observations help with the question of the day. Shortly after arriving at his “culturally acceptable but quite unacceptable accommodations”, he met Mack who was in Thailand on business. Mack was tied to his Western ways. He didn’t really want to understand the Thai culture as much as to exploit the people of the culture. Leo learned a method of survival from Mack. The next week, Leo met Pricha, a native Thai. During his time with Pricha, he grew to understand and appreciate the people, the customs and the cuisine of Thailand. Leo discovered a very different value system -- one he came to respect, admire and assimilate.
Understanding “Who is my neighbor?” begins as we willingly/ reluctantly expose ourselves to opportunities beyond our comfort zone. Everyone helps us with the puzzle. Doing our job (like Mack) is a way we can survive. Practicing the way of hospitality (like Pricha) may open new opportunities that we never dreamed of. May you have a good week, enriched by the journey alongside other special people.
--Ben Keckler
10.3.11
--A question posed to Jesus (Luke 10:29)
“To deny ourselves the knowledge even of a single person is to lose
the central piece of the jigsaw puzzle.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 35
I hope you have been able to read some of Buscaglia’s writings; they are wonderful. He took a wonderful journey through Asia assimilating Oriental traditions into his understanding about the mysteries of life. In Asia the bull symbolically represents life. Another way to title the book could be The Way of Life. Throughout the week we are going to travel with Leo to explore some life-lessons.
While in Thailand he met Mack and Pricha; his observations help with the question of the day. Shortly after arriving at his “culturally acceptable but quite unacceptable accommodations”, he met Mack who was in Thailand on business. Mack was tied to his Western ways. He didn’t really want to understand the Thai culture as much as to exploit the people of the culture. Leo learned a method of survival from Mack. The next week, Leo met Pricha, a native Thai. During his time with Pricha, he grew to understand and appreciate the people, the customs and the cuisine of Thailand. Leo discovered a very different value system -- one he came to respect, admire and assimilate.
Understanding “Who is my neighbor?” begins as we willingly/ reluctantly expose ourselves to opportunities beyond our comfort zone. Everyone helps us with the puzzle. Doing our job (like Mack) is a way we can survive. Practicing the way of hospitality (like Pricha) may open new opportunities that we never dreamed of. May you have a good week, enriched by the journey alongside other special people.
--Ben Keckler
10.3.11
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