Thoughts & Teachings
Lee Sherman
Each morning, I like to take a walk to get my mind and body started for the day. This month, as we approach the High Holy Days, my walks have also been an opportunity for spiritual preparation - a time to reflect back and project forward.
On a recent morning, I was walking down one of our country's many "Rails to Trails," former train track beds that have been reclaimed for biking and hiking. The area was new to me, so I walked for a couple of miles and then returned by the same route to avoid getting lost. On each leg of the walk, I was physically on the same path, yet my perspective was dramatically different. The river first on my right was now on my left, providing me a view of the bend that made it even more beautiful. On the return, I saw trees and flowers that had been there on my trip out, but which had been unseen to me. And although the path was the same, I had new company as well - a rabbit scurrying across, a bluebird building a nest.
In a few days, we will begin the "calendar" again. We will celebrate the same holidays and revisit many of our routines. But, our perspectives have grown and changed, giving us an opportunity to do things differently, hopefully better, with greater wisdom. I look forward to enjoying my walk a little more and appreciating those things that accompany me along the way.
