Swirling. Consistency. Balance. Growth.

I've had lots of thoughts swirling thru my head and as I've strived to find balance and wisdom in them I've had this thought come to my mind.

"Take good care of yourself. Nurture and cultivate the goodness and richness that is you. To do this doesn't require great means but it does require consistency to achieve optimal results. Do this regularly but never to the point that it excludes you from giving, serving and loving others."

Other things, whatever they may be, cannot "fill in" for self-nurture, especially over long periods of time. Nor should it take a back seat to other things are that seemingly much more important. Getting distracted from this, especially in times of transition, has the opposite effect than what we initially think it will. The time to self-sustain need not be long or elaborate but it must be regular.

Remember. No "fill-ins" or broad spectrum pseudo fixes accepted. There are seasons when other care takers come into our own personal gardens and do beneficial weeding, pruning or mulching but the composting, fertilizing and, specifically, grafting needs to be left to the Master Gardener. He knows the composition of our soil and what amendments and specialized treatment we require.

I could go on but I don't think I will. All I know is that I need to be better at just "taking" more for myself. I think I can be a Martha when it comes to just not doing for myself and sacrificing things that I really don't need to sacrifice. Sacrifice for sacrifice's sake isn't always prudent or needful. Sometimes, it is detrimental. I think this is a common "mist of darkness" that the adversary can use against those who are striving to do and be their best. The balance comes when we tend to ourselves in a kind and careful way and are mindful to not let that exclude that kind of tending from others.

We can take care of ourselves and then let that magnify that which we have to give. I have always known and believed in this as long as I can remember. It was a take home, better yet, a take out message my mother imparted thru her actions. BUT I think I missed an important checkpoint in getting from Point A to Point B. Inappropriate sacrificing can derail me in gleaning the benefits of that all important loving and caring philosophy.

I am beginning to think or realize that life is all about swirling about. Not really being in any type of real control. Just a series of (hopefully) connecting the spiritual dots thru our experiences and being secured to the One who gives us an anchoring steadiness while the opposite lies in wait.

Perhaps life is about having roots and wings. Remember that poem?

If I had two wishes, I know what they would be

I'd wish for Roots to cling to, and Wings to set me free;

Roots of inner values, like rings within a tree,

and Wings of independence to seek my destiny.

Roots to hold forever to keep me safe and strong,

To let me know you love me, when I've done something wrong;

To show me by example, and helps me learn to choose,

To take those actions every day to win instead of lose.

Just be there when I need you, to tell me it's all right,

To face my fear of falling when I test my wings in flight;

Don't make my life too easy, it's better if I try,

And fail and get back up myself, so I can learn to fly.

If I had two wishes, and two were all I had,

And they could just be granted, by my Mom and Dad;

I wouldn't ask for money or any store-bought things.

The greatest gifts I'd ask for are simply Roots and Wings.

By Denis Waitley

Perhaps life is about learning how to properly nurture our roots while learning to extend, stretch and use our wings--without pulling up needful, nourishing grounding tethers. Without them we'd swirl away at the whim of any gusty breeze. However, because of them we learn to stand majestically tall as we face the Sun anchored in goodness. All the while we can learn to rise, to ascend even, relying on the Sun and a flux in the air to help us remain aloft.

Maybe, anyway, just maybe.