The wind danced with the leaves outside. As hot as it was, the wind took things in a direction one could not anticipate. Every branch seemed to have a unique way of responding. At times, the branches and leaves turned and twisted in harmony; in other moments, they fought against an unseen enemy. Each trapped with the other, moving without guidance on a path to an unknown destination.
In the silence, I could hear an echo of an old observation. “As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.” (Ecclesiastes 8.8) There is so much that one does not know, and even less that one controls.
Life is a dance, as fun and exciting as one chooses to make it. I have given up trying to control my day. As the leaves remind me, it is about the dance itself, not the wind that comes in as the partner. I am working to improve my dance steps in life. Ideally, I will always be present, ready and willing to take the next step. I want to come prepared, mentally and physically, to the day, open to where life takes me. My dream is to dance with freedom, be free with compassion, and to always step with kindness.
Life’s unknowns will always be just beyond one’s imagination and sight. Accepting my awareness and knowledge of this frees me from my fears and desire to manage the impossible. Every unknown is an opportunity. I step forward, excited that my heart will be leading the process. I trust the values and priorities I have stored in my soul. My job is to continue strengthening the foundation and structure of my life. With these in place, I am ready and willing to take the next step in life’s dance.
Life grows and evolves with each step. I cannot anticipate the movement. I can dance and willingly follow life’s lead.
