During my morning walk on the hike-bike trail near our house, I noticed something peculiar. On the left side of the trail, a junk yard stood in all of its glory. Heaps of washing machines, dryers and refrigerators were piled in a line. Spools of wire were in another pile. But is was the third heap that caught my attention.
It was a man-made mountain of long, metal strips, each strip about 1 foot wide, 10 feet long and less than 2 inches thick. This debris stretched as least 30 feet long and more than 10 feet high. How many of those metal strips were in that pile? Hundreds? Thousands?
That pile was not created by itself. It started out flat, then as more and more metal strips were piled on top of each other, it grew in breath and scope. Until finally, it stood as a testament to man's wasteful habits.
Don't we do that to ourselves? We pile on judgment and criticism until our Real Self, our Essential Being, is so covered in piles of garbage that it can't breathe. Much less be expressed in our lives.
Let go of the metal (mental) strips that are hiding your Spiritual Self. They are the ego's creation to keep it on the throne of control in your life. Meditate on the fact that God made you, to live here right now and to be the greatest expression of You that is possible.
And then turn your attention to the right side of the trail.
My walk was not surrounded by ugliness. In fact, the right side of the trail is beautiful - large, old pecan and elm trees form a graceful canopy. Song birds flitted in and out of the tree branches, serenading me with beautiful music. A quiet breeze gently touched me before it played in the leaves on the side of the trail. Nature at its best.
When my attention was drawn back to the left side, I found "junkyard" thoughts started invading my mind. Money worries, family relationship conflicts, even chastising myself for not walking the dogs before I left, entered my thoughts. When I realized what I was doing, I immediately looked to the right side of the trail, and felt peace return.
The point is that we are surrounded by junk and treasure. But you get to chose which one to contemplate, consider and use to inspire you, or depress you. This choice is made every moment of every day for the rest of your life.
Chose to think thoughts that expand yourself through inspiration, creativity and love. Contracting thoughts stifle, judge and criticize - they are the metal strips of junk weighing you down. And you are a willing participant if you continue to give energy to negative thoughts or judgments that form a prison around the soul.
Breath in deeply. Do this often. It cleanses your mind and releases any toxins or anxiety you may be holding against yourself. Let yourself be nurtured by nature. Relax into your existence and be gentle with yourself.
The right trail for you is the one that makes you joyful, peaceful and happy.
Which one do you choose?
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