If Not Now When

    You’ve heard the expression, “Think good thoughts,” I’d like not to think any thoughts, not forever, not always. When I need to think I want to think.  When I don’t need to think I don’t want to think. I want to do. I want to be and frankly thinking gets in the way.  I do not need a running commentary on my life and the world at large from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep.  A Course in Miracles says there are no neutral thoughts. They either bring peace or war, love or fear and let’s face it, most of the time its fear and war.  
   If you wouldn’t say it don’t think it is a pretty good rule to follow and that works….most of the time. I don’t know, maybe it’s not having the television blaring at night and being home more this winter but my thoughts have been like a run away train going down hill fast. And there’s no brake.
    Imagining that my thoughts are being randomly projected on a big assed jumbotron above I285 during rush hour is a good trick and helps, but not enough. Prayer is good. I’ve been praying a lot if only because it stills my mind. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.”  I’ve also been praying a lot because it’s the only thing I know to do about well, just about everything. I like simple prayers, “Dear God, save me from my stupid self.” Sometimes it’s simpler than that, “God, God, God, my Father.”  Yeah, prayer works. So does staying present in the moment.
    I’ve noticed that when I bring my attention back to the moment there are no thoughts. That’s easier said than done but I’m working on it. I’m working on it because I am paying attention and there are no neutral thoughts. And far, far too often they are thoughts of fear that wage war on my soul.  We have enough violence in the world without me adding to it.  What we don’t have enough of is peace.
                               This week I passed to the other side of 55. Now seems like a good time for a lot of things.  I have goals and dreams some big and some small. They’re fun to set and fun to achieve, a break for Salt Creek and being able to play it during a jam would be nice, a bomb proof roll can’t be out of the realm of possibilities and ya’ll know I wouldn’t say no to a cowboy.  Mainly I want peace, peace for myself and peace for the world.  If not now when? 



            “Let peace begin with me
              Let this be the moment now.
              With every step I take
              Let this be my solemn vow.
              To take each moment
              And live each moment
              With peace eternally.
              Let there be peace on earth,
              And let it begin with me.”


Dear God, may it be so.   
Amen


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