Traveling Toward Grace
Originally Published May 9th, 2014
In writing, it's easy to give your attention to the wrong things: description of places that don't matter, the backstory of characters we never see again, even the writing of the story above the story itself. In life, this is also true. You may find yourself obsessing over petty slights, unnamed fears, gossip that sets your heart pounding, or even too much praise and admiration for the wrong thing, a feat or skill that's actually a detour away from your real purpose. These are all distractions. Like sparklers on the Fourth of July, they're bright and hot and full of sizzle, but they are not the main event. They are not the real fireworks. The more attention you grant these distractions, the less attention you have for what matters. Which is your one life, fierce and beautiful and much too short. So be vigilant. Look deeply into what lies before you in the world, this world, the actual one we share, not the one in your head. Listen to your heart of hearts. Tilt forward into the next right thing. Give the particular details of your life all the love you can muster. Be faithful to the story and to your true self. Both will be imperfect. Be sorry when you should be and practice compassion relentlessly. Still, not everyone will sing your praises. You will never know all the reasons why. Just keep pinning word after word, deed after deed. You will keep arriving over and over again at the only destination, which is now, this moment, every time. That much is immutable, so you may as well travel toward grace.
