Water seeks its own level. In other words it rises to its own point and stops. No one can make it go higher. No one can make it go lower. but it always rises as high as it can and then levels out. Then, when the rains come, the water seeks a new higher level.

Higher waters mean more fish can swim and grow. Higher waters mean more boats and ships can travel. Higher waters mean more shorelines can be reached, nourished, tended. Higher waters allow more power to be produced at dams. Higher waters also have the strength to clear out and wash away clogs and debris.

Maybe we should be like water always rising to our own level – not the level people, society or organizations tell us to rise to, but rise to the level we see for ourselves.

Have you thought about new levels you’d like to rise to- things you want to accomplish – places you want to go – books you want to read/write – people you want to see – skills you want to learn – habits you want to change?

We need to think about rising higher, about doing more, about accomplishing things we’ve thought about doing for a long time, but have never done. Let’s not limit our level. Let’s keep moving forward, there is more ground to cover.

Let me be!

Everyone needs to get away…to a new place, to a new idea, to a new frame of mind.

How does this happen amidst all the busyness of day to day? Begin with a change of place. Step outside your normal routine. Get away from your desk/office building for lunch or break. Go to a new lunch or coffee spot. Order something different. Take another walking path. Climb a tree and observe the world from a new vantage point. Our minds need to break things up so the same ‘ole patterns aren’t repeated into boredom and thoughtlessness.

How refreshing to think up and begin a new hobby, create something new to you. Pick some weeds and wildflowers, add some sticks and make a new arrangement. Look for an interesting rock or pebble and add to your indoor potted plant. Try a new ingredient/spice/herb to your cooking. Really examine the shape and veins of a tree leaf. Take apart a flower blossom one petal at a time and note its intricacies. Stand by a streambed and watch the water flow and tumble over its rocks and sticks. Lay on your back in the grass and just watch the clouds float over you.

These are not mundane, waste-of-time things. They are necessary to our emotional well-being. Some call this ‘grounding’ others say ‘nature-nurture’. It doesn’t matter what you call it. Just get away and rest awhile. Rest your whole body, mind and spirit…even if for only a few minutes. I believe the more we stop to refresh, the better we will feel, the better we will act and the more ideas we will have.

How am I going to get away today? I need to… I will.

I believe inside every man is the desire to do the right thing. I believe God put it there to lead and guide us.

I also believe there are forces pressing on us to do the wrong things –  leading to destruction of us and others.

These thoughts pass through daily and we have the choice, because we are created to be free, to decide which way we will go – today – this moment. Will we choose to listen to voices telling us to hate, kill, destroy and uproot? Or will we choose to listen to the inside voice telling us to be at peace, keep doing the right thing, be a builder, do good… thereby pushing back those dark voices and letting the light out?

We’re not merely passing through life, biding our time until something happens. We are to be advancing, promoting the good thoughts, ideas and motives that flash through our minds. These are given to us as direction.

We’ll have a thought:

• ‘I should…’ Then go ahead and do it!
• Or, ‘I need to do…’ Then begin there!
• ‘They need some help’…Then do something to help them!
• Or, ‘Somebody should…’ Be the somebody!

Good can, and good will overcome evil, but it works through people like you and me.

Paint the good picture in your mind of the good you’d like to see and begin to fill in the picture. You pick the colors and which brush you’d like to use.

Begin now!