Contemplation for today

Don't have much to contribute about myself today, except to say that I'm enjoying getting out and walking the dog most days (starting to think about getting back in shape!) and I'm so pleased to be making some friends at the Women for Sobriety forums and moderated chat room. I've managed to find a fellow writer and introduced her to the world of fanfic and slash. ;)

My post today is what I read in my pocket Pema Chödrön before doing my morning meditation— perhaps it will resonate with you as it did with me.

We Never Know

When we think something is going to bring us pleasure, we don't know what's really going to happen. When we think something is going to give us misery, we don't know. Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all. We try to do what we think is going to help. But we don't know. We never know if we're going to fall flat or sit up tall. When there's a big disappointment, we don't know if that's the end of the story. It may be just the beginning of a great adventure.

I read somewhere about a family who had only one son. They were very poor. This son was extremely precious to them, and the only thing that mattered to his family was that he bring them some financial support and prestige. Then he was thrown from a horse and crippled. It seemed like the end of their lives. Two weeks after that, the army came into their village and took away all the healthy, strong men to fight in the war, and this young man was allowed to stay behind and take care of his family.

Life is like that. We don't know anything. We call something bad; we call it good. But really we just don't know.