Dear Friends,
One of my favorite quotations is this one by the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tzu:
begins with a single step.”
I was originally planning to use that quotation to punctuate a particular point I made in my message for the week of June 26th. In that message I pointed out that you generally get where you are going in life by taking one step at a time. And when you focus only on the step that is right in front of you—the step that is right here, right now—it is almost impossible for you to feel overwhelmed . . . no matter how far away your chosen destination is.
But I didn’t use that quotation. Why? Because when I researched it on-line, one source said that a more correct translation from the original Chinese would be:
begins beneath one’s feet.”
The source of this alternative translation suggested that rather than emphasizing the first step, Lao-Tzu regarded action as something that arises naturally from stillness.
Hey! As far as living life in the divine flow goes, that fits too! As I have said many times, “being in the flow” is about taking action . . . but not just any action. It’s about taking divinely inspired action! And for the most part, that inspiration arises from deep within you—guiding you forward from wherever you happen to be standing. You may be inspired to take a step in one particular direction. Or, you may be inspired to take no immediate action at all, giving the Universe time to forge a new opportunity for you out of the very circumstance you are experiencing.
Yes, living life in the divine flow is about actively taking steps to get where you want to go in life. But I cannot emphasize enough the importance of pausing long enough between each and every single one of those steps to get in touch with the wisdom of your inner Spirit. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being quiet long enough to hear that still, small voice of divine direction. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being still long enough to attune yourself to the feel of the flow, and—if so directed—to step back and allow the flow to work is magic without your interference.
Do you have a journey of a thousand miles ahead of you? Then before you take that first step, be still! And after you take that first step, be still again! Remember that a journey of a thousand miles not only begins with a single step, it ends with a single step. And if you want that journey to be a virtually effortless one—from beginning to end—I encourage you to take only one step at a time . . . allowing the next step to arise naturally out of the stillness.
Steven
P.S. On August 4th, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, I will be conducting a one-hour Teleclass on the three main ways you receive divine guidance in life, and how to enhance your ability to receive that guidance. This class is $15, and it will be recorded so you can listen to it later. To register for this event, go to www.rowrowrow.eventbrite.com.
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
No comments:
Post a Comment