Self-sufficiency

"Be self-sufficient but not isolated.
When the king of China closed the borders,
Centuries of stagnation and decadence began."

Without God, the stagnation and decadence are inevitable. I must reach out to God from my authentic self. In my gradual process of discovering who He made me, my true self-sufficiency can begin. 

Poor

"Chopsticks made from bamboo--
Too poor to afford silverware.
Tender bamboo shoots for food--
Too poor to afford meat."

I am not afraid of being poor. Whatever my circumstances, I have always been able to make more of them than I thought I would. This time will be no different, except I have a feeling that it will indeed be better, if not the best. 

Sustaining

"Orange and gold carp,
Living beneath ice.
Uncaring of the world above,
Sustained by the water below."

I often feel I am being sustained for a purpose, and cannot break out of the restraints I feel until the proper time. Then I think I must be kidding myself; miracles are for other people, not for me. How I struggle to let go of that mindset now; how I struggle to believe that my miracle is on its way. I will not be left alone and disappointed; I will not be put to shame. 

Singing

"Rain comes--and birds,
Silhouettes against the pearlescent sky--
Respond excitedly in song.
They open their throats to heaven's nectar,
And rhyme with the drops."

Sometimes the key of life changes; that's not a reason to stop singing, or playing. I will continue to explore the music of what happens. 

Swimmer

"Though life is a dream,
Act as if it isn't.
Act with no weight."

I have discovered within myself not only a willingness to be vulnerable, but also a willingness to be overwhelmed. How else can one learn to take life as it comes. My strategy now is to embrace, and be exhilarated. I will no longer be constricted or restrained; I will float, and be carried.

Rest

"The year's end is coming;
I feel great contentment.
Completion means rest.
Rest means renewal.
Renewal means new beginnings.

I believe I am overdue for the start of something new. I feel blessed because I now can take the steps toward the new beginning I need. After my first truly restful Sunday in a long time, I am hopeful, indeed. 

Joy

"Do your devotions make you happy?
Is your life a joyous song?"

I struggle for more joy in my life. God must know how deeply I feel my trials, and how determined I am not to get the better of me, or the better part of my life. I know I have no right to be weary of the striving that awaits us all in His love. I strive only because I want to live His love most deeply.