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Wisdom Quote
To relax derives from Latin "to loosen back." To relax is the opposite of tension. Contemplation entails learning to ease the stress of trying to make life work, trying to make sure we are and have enough. We learn to trust the flow of life moment-by-moment. We affirm what we have in this moment is enough. The next moment will have enough. Then the following moment enough. We learn to give ourselves permission to lighten up and enjoy ourselves for the pure blessing of enjoyment, needing no justification from anyone to immerse ourselves in the sufficiency of the present.
*Brian K. Wilcox
Wisdom Story
The rich industrialist from the North was
horrified to find the Southern fisherman
lying lazily beside his boat, smoking a pipe.
"Why aren't you out fishing?" said the industrialist.
"Because I have caught enough fish for
this day," said the fisherman.
"Why don't you catch some more?"
"What would I do with it?"
"You could earn more money," was the reply.
"With that you could have a motor fixed
to your boat and go into deeper waters
and catch more fish.
Then you would make enough to buy nylon
nets. These would bring you more fish and
more money. Soon you would have enough
money to own two boats . . . maybe even a
fleet of boats. Then you would be a rich
man like me."
"What would I do then?"
"Then you could really enjoy life."
"What do you think I am doing right now?"
Suggested Reflection
Just how much do you have to have to enjoy life?
*The story "The Contented Fisherman" is from Anthony de Mello, The Song of the Bird.
*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis, in Port Charlotte, FL. Brian is Pastor of Christ Community United Methodist Church. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative community. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others of varied faith paths in living a contemplative spirituality.
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