Tag Archives: morning

The Pilgrim Receives A Gift

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In the morning of our lives we wander aimlessly as a Pilgrim, never really understanding what our purpose is on earth. Searching for answers to burning questions other Pilgrims have asked before: What is my purpose? What is the meaning of Life? Who am I? Why me?
Then…on an unexpected day…we receive a gift. A gift that holds all the answers, carrying us into the Afternoon of our lives as our authentic self. Those willing to open this gift shall see truth, but unfortunately so few will see through the emptiness…we return to Tidak Sini (Malay for Not Here) and Ani Po (Hebrew for I AM Here)…

Tidak Sini was tending to his daily chores basking in a bit of misery over his tiring day. He works long hours to make ends meet and often gets home very late. It brings great sadness to him as he wishes to spend more time with his family. He was tending to his chores when Ani Po arrived with a gift in hand.

Tidak Sini welcomes his Warrior friend, but asks the purpose of her visit.

Ani Po: “I am here to give you a gift. A gift we all seek.”

Tidak Sini: “What is this gift? Can I open it?”

“Yes please.”

Tidak Sini opens the package to find an empty clear box. Befuddled, Tidak Sini asks, “What is it?”

Ani Po: “This box contains the answers to all your burning questions.”

Tidak Sini: “What is my purpose? What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? Who am I? Those?”

“Yes. Everything you need to know in life is contained in that clear empty box.”

Tidak Sini: “But it is empty! I do not see any answers in an empty box!”

Ani Po: “Often times we cannot see the truth, but we know it is there. Those willing to gaze into the vast emptiness of this box…shall find the answers they are searching for. Ask the right questions and the right answers shall appear. Meditate on this empty box, allowing your 10,000 things to dissolve only for a moment…and you will see into the afternoon of your life…happily ever after.”

Tidak SIni reluctantly thanked Ani Po for the empty gift and thanked Her for stopping by for this pleasant visit. Ani Po leaves…

Weeks had passed but TIdak Sini had not opened the box. Then on a sorrow-filled day, Tidak Sini, at his lowest point of feeling miserable, cries out “Lord help me, what am I to do?” As he cried out, he opened the box…hearing a faint whisper…”give up your ways and follow your heart.”

Tidak Sini knew this was the voice of creation and he was to listen to the voice within, following his heart. Following his heart, truth shall be revealed to him.

Stepping into the Canvas with a gift of emptiness. When we open our hearts to the vast emptiness of the Canvas, we fill it with that of good. Filling it, with that of good, we dissolve anything other than what we seek. The answers sought in our lives lay dormant within our being. Ask the right questions…receive all the right answers.

True Leadership

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When we think of leadership, our attention goes to the obvious: a person who directs a group or organization towards a certain goal of that institution. What we fail to see are the ‘True Leaders’ who quietly go to work day in and day out. While the obvious leader is just that and often recognized for their accomplishments; the not so obvious is the person who stands in the background, allowing his team to thrive and grow…essentially cultivating future leaders.

The pilgrim once thought he had to lead troops into battle but now, on the path of Warrior, merely allows them to shine. As a young pilgrim he lied, manipulated, and often asked the unimaginable of his team. As Warrior he knows a true leader is one who trusts in his team, allowing them to use their own creative gifts and giving praise where deserved.

When I began writing of the Pilgrim and Warrior, I saw two sides to every human: one being a Pilgrim Lost and in search of truth; the other being the Warrior who has found truth, allowing others to go ahead of him remaining in peace. At the beginning of our Pilgrim versus Warrior theme I wrote about the Pilgrim being a He; the Warrior being a She. This was purely a self-reflection of who I was and where I wanted to be. The He representing the Masculine side and the She representing the Feminine side. We spend most of our lives as man or woman, but at a turning point in our lives we reflect where we are going in the future and, hopefully, reconnect with our opposing self. If being a man, we are to find our sacred feminine within. Being a woman, we are to find the masculine. When we learn that we are not whole without the other, we learn our truest identity…we are one. While the Pilgrim is able to lead others, it is the Warrior who stands firmly in what he believes but allows others to pass him by. Knowing what I know, I see true leaders all around me…

Our mothers quietly maintained a certain order of things, graciously cultivating environments of growth. Selflessly giving everyday and making sacrifices without ever getting anything in return. Some see the rewards immediate, some never receive, but continue to give of themselves wholeheartedly. Think back into history…even the great leaders of our past, had silent leaders backing them. The wives who stood behind them, while their partners shared their vision with the world.It is the silent Warrior who has true leadership. A true leader is one who knows The Way, but allows others to lead.

Stepping into the Canvas we allow ourselves to be who we came here to be. Afraid no longer, we step with care but with authority. Not looking for praise, but what is right. Mindfully…we are aware.