Dear Church Family,
Several years ago I made the observation that many sports car models resemble
our athletic shoes. There were similar shapes, angles, ways color are incorporated. It's not a judgement of taste, like or dislike - just an observation. However, it requires me to extra observant of cars makes and models. For example, last year I purchased a Toyota Camry. It is a sporty design and it appears to me as a giant grey sneaker. It also seems similar to a Hyundai Sonata and other Toyota models. So similar in fact, that I sometimes go to the wrong car when I am parked away from home
One day after walking the dog in a local park we returned to the car parallel parked on the street. I was deep in thought and when I pulled the handle of the car it wouldn't open. I had already unlocked it as I was walking up to it so I was really confused. I looked inside to the back seat and realized. It wasn't my car. It was similar in size, shape and color. I was really embarrassed and quickly looked around to be sure no one saw me. There was a real rush in my body with the increase of blood pressure. So I walked ahead to my car located in front of the one I just tried to open. Reaching for the door I noticed that this interior was also foreign to me. It was another car similar in shape, size and color as mine. Now I was really shaken. Because my car - really and truly my car was in front of this one.
I laughed at this experience, because it finally woke me up to pay attention to the present moment. I was so lost in thought that I wasn't present to the particulars of my car. I was going through the motions of doing everything I was supposed to do, but not paying attention to the details to make the action successful. It made me wonder how often we do this as people go around lost in our heads with thoughts that are elsewhere and going through the motions of life without being present to the moment. How often do we complete tasks by rote without consciousness of the moment?
I also realized that I had made the whole experience with the dog and park without a real awareness of him or my surroundings. I couldn't recall his tracking of scents that took us from stop to stop, where he relieved himself or few particulars of the weather, the people or the beauty of the day. I was deep in thought about something outside of this experience and wasn't holding the moment sacredly as I wanted to.
It woke me up. My trips to the park to walk the dog are more about him and our experience together than those outside thoughts. I attempt to focus on his actions, what he finds interesting and talk about his discoveries. I also turn my attention to the beauty of the park, the activities of the people, and the comfort of the weather. Life is teaming with activity, and there are better places where I can lose myself in thought. The trips to the park are for refreshment, for the dog and me.
Escaping the moment through thought is usually benign, but it can be a danger, too. Sometimes we forget or become distracted to the point of causing an accident. Each time these incidents happen, I am reminded of the gentle lesson the Universe is providing - encouraging me to wake up, be present, be responsible. That is what our life experience is for - to be present. Affirming our awareness of the divine presence within us and being present to the divine in all we see, do, think, feel and touch.
Many blessings,
Pastor Robert
