Most shopping malls are crowded this time of year with shoppers looking for special gifts in stores they may not be familiar with. It is often helpful to find the big directory sign with a listing of stores and an outline of the floor plan. When we look at it the first things most of us scan it for is an arrow or a star with the words You Are Here! Getting oriented to where we are helps us review how we got there as well as how to get to where we want to go.
A Native American teaching related to this concept is in the poem Lost by David Wagoner. One line particularly shares the wisdom: “Wherever you are is called Here, and you must treat it as a powerful stranger, you must ask permission to know it and be known.”
As yearend approaches it is a natural time to look back over the past twelve months and to make plans for year ahead. In addition to that we encourage you to take some extra time and think about where you are. Slow down enough to gratefully appreciate where you are before taking off seeking another destination.
Happy Holidays!
