SOUL JOURNEY
A monthly feature by Mary Ellen Merrigan

Sometimes we don’t have enough time to think
Sometimes we think too much
About ourselves and the meaning of our life
Introspection.
It’s wonderful
Until it’s too much.
Or, until we’re the only contributors
We can be a bit one-sided
Then introspection
Becomes analysis paralysis
Have you run across those who
Think so much about what they do
That they actually do nothing
I say that
Because that is what I have experienced
Without expecting to fall into the trap
I have put everything on hold
While looking for the perfect opportunity
I have ignored options
I guess that I am waiting for the neon light
Surely you know the one I mean
There’s a big billboard in the sky
That lights up and says
"Hey, you!
This is your perfect choice for the rest of your life."
Right.
Highlighting the perfect mate
Showcasing the perfect job
Placing the perfect vacation at your feet
Wrong.
There is no such billboard.

The way to know what you’re about
Is to feel how it is
Feel the things that make you happy
Know happiness
Feel the things that give you joy
Know joy
There is no stock in knowing and not experiencing
That is not what life is about
There is a challenge every day
That requires participation
Sometimes we participate partially
And in getting by we believe that we’ve moved forward
We kid ourselves that we’re moving forward
Getting by is not an option
Or at least the soul does not recognize it as an option
There may be other acceptances
Only, the soul knows the truth
And ever so gently it will speak that truth to you
If you care to listen
As I talked with the keeper of my soul
I was gently reminded that I had elected the sideline
It can’t be true, I cried
Say it isn’t so
The gentle truth pointed to the fact that I had chosen to
hide
Did I expect that the opportunities would find me
And then I could make the finder wrong for not approaching
sooner
Where is proactive in that?
Did I believe that my mate would suddenly emerge from the
crowd
No friendship
No dating
No problem
Where is the reality in that?
The keeper of my soul pointed to the truth
You are in charge
You decide
When and how you play
When and how you work
And so on
You create your reality
Every day there are a number of realities
From which you can choose
Every day you can choose what you create
Once in a while it makes sense to check
Check your own reality
Check it with your soul.

M. E. Merrigan