Mantra

I am not an overly or overtly religious person. On a scale from say atheist to Tim Tebow, I reside somewhere in the middle. To that end, I will not make this post about my (evolution of) faith but instead, I will simply report that we have been attending church again lately and last week's sermon made me revisit that resolution of mine (to find balance). The pastor ended with a mantra that stuck with me. By that I mean when I heard it, I thought it was worth remembering. So when I forget it, I emailed the pastor and kindly asked if she would send it to me. She did and it is below.

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.

Now, I'm a nerd at heart so it's quite possible I'm just as much intrigued by this mantra because of it's literary structure as by it's depth, simplicity and intrinsic meaning. It might be sad but I think it's just genius the way it is written. Each phrase is a repetition of the previous and although each subsequently subtracts a word or two, the absence seems to add to it's overall meaning. Further more, each stance can hold it's own but as a complete thought, it is even more powerful. I know. Nerd.

You can interpret your own conclusions and meanings but to me, it ultimately means have faith. Faith in a higher being, faith in yourself, faith in your family, faith that this too shall pass and all will again be right with the world. Or as my very wise Grandma puts it, "…it'll all come out in the warsh." I need to take time to just be present in whatever I'm doing and enjoy it for what it is and not what I wish it would become. Be present in the moment and not the memory.

P.S. So as not to make you think I've completely fallen off the philosophical deep end, I leave you with this. Did you know Dr. Seuss invented the word nerd? I learned that on the radio this morning.