Friday, March 18, 2011

Before Stiffness Fails, Bend


In the tradition of the Sunscreen Song it’s good once in a while to take a helicopter ride over the state of play that is the life we’re in.

Here goes.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Class of 2011, if I could offer you one piece of advice it would be to bend.

Yes, bending is good—for the body, the mind, the soul, and the spirit.

Enjoy the present.

Learn to tell stories, for stories herald the issues of life that captivate our hearts to aid learning. An honestly spoken true story is not hard to remember and it makes a space for us in the histories of those hearers we tell them to. But know, also, stories are what make us lose sight of truth, something trained into salespeople.

Buy with cautious joy.

Talking is a pastime many perfect easily. It’s what makes us who we are; what we say to others and ourselves. But it’s listening that broaches the soul of those we interact with. Forget clichés; instead create your own powerful generalisations. Just make sure they’re true and don’t wear people out with them. Talk with clarity and direction, but issue such focus with pleasant grace.

Elaborate succinctly.

Sadness comes like a thief in the night, to rob us of sleep and joy and drive for tomorrow. Bending to the sadness is an auspicious thing. Know that such deplorable realities change us for the better, somehow. And know that sadness borne well is a charge of wisdom that never makes sense, but always works. Most people secretly love it when distal others are sad; they’re thankful it’s not them. Don’t reject this thinking—acknowledge it and learn from it, for God is using such things to highlight your unconscious lack. We all lack.

Howl at the moon from within your closet.

Employment is a tricky business. Some jobs are innately boring but safe. Others are too ‘exciting’ and they breed problems in our lives. Enjoy balance when it attends. Above all, be thankful for your work; little else will make you feel so good about yourself as the sense of having achieved something, and work shows us our place in the world. That’s something to behold, no matter how seemingly insignificant the job is. Bending is crucial in the workplace, just bend right. If you’re inclined, add a passionate flair to your work. It will go well for you.

Sleep.

Seriously. Sleep is the simplest thing known to humankind, yet it’s become an enigma due to lifestyle choice and the generational curse. Peace for sleep and sleep for peace. But the spirit must bend for sleep to have its chance. Tiredness is responsible for too many inadequacies. Sleep long enough, sleep well.

Pray.

Be home with God. Allow God to be home with you. The answer to every good thing is God. But to understand and to tap into God, we must bend.

Stiffness is the enemy. Bending is our friend.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.

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