The Appointment
by Mark Nepo from Seven Thousand Ways to Listen
What if, on the first sunny day,
On your way to work, a colorful bird
Sweeps in front of you down a
Street you’ve never heard of.
You might pause and smile,
A sweet beginning to your day.
Or you might step into that street
and realize that there are many ways to work.
You might sense the bird knows some-
thing you don’t and wander after.
You might hesitate when the bird
turns down an alley. For now
there is tension: Is what the
bird knows worth being late?
You might go another block or two,
thinking you can have it both ways.
But soon you arrive at the edge
of all your plans.
The bird circles back for you
and you must decide which
appointment you were
born to keep.
How do you know…which appointment is yours to keep? I think we can know when we are willing to drop from our head, and all of the figuring and ciphering, to our heart where we can know from our deeper self….no ‘figuring’ involved. A dear friend told me just yesterday that if the decision brings peace to you then go with that…and I agree. Peace…internal, deep, abiding peace is a great barometer. Sometimes though, it is all we can do to step just a hair’s width away from fear and then keep that appointment. You’ve been there I am sure…it was the time when you said to yourself…whew, I’m glad I had the courage to make that choice.
You are a unique expression of God…here in this time and space with others who are yearning to know the gift that you are. Endeavor to keep the appointments that will allow us to know you as this sweet and wonderful gift.
Much love
Paula
