You Will Be Okay
from Momma Zen, (p. 145!) by Karen Maezen Miller:
You don’t have to work so hard at this. You don’t have to do so much. You don’t have to endeavor to be natural, normal, and good. It happens by itself when you least expect it. If you are confused about what you should be doing, try this. Stop what you are doing. Take care of what is in front of you, when it is in front of you, and the confusion will pass. This is called the effort of no effort. No effort is what powers the universe.
With time, your roots grow deep and your branches long. You lean a little less backward in fear and a little less forward in doubt, resting solidly right where you are. When the wind blows, you bend. When it stops, you straighten. Your boughs provide shelter and shade. Your strength supports the sky. Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself.
Blessings to you all this Saturday afternoon. An update on Small is Beautiful coming up in a few minutes…
February 16th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I’ll take this as one more nudge from the Universe that I need to read this book. It’s popping up everywhere I look these days, as is the theme of accepting what is — rather than freaking out about what to do next. I feel a blog post coming on…
February 16th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I love this. I may need to go buy this book right away.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I really needed to read this. like right now.
thanks for sharing!
February 16th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Oh, what fabulous words! And I’m proud to say I am witnessing this amazing transformation in my own life. It’s been *years* in coming, and has taken deep turmoil, struggle, hanging-on-for-dear-life commitment….but….ahhhhh, the release. Things are starting to become easier.
In my journal this week I stopped mid-sentence and wrote
“Embrace the Ease”.
Wonderful!
February 16th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
thank you so much, jen…
i’m a bit (okay, VERY) shy…and right now i’m listening to jamiroquai’s “music of the mind” as my “start-getting-ready-to-go-out” music…i’m going to a poetry slam thrown by a friend, and since i was in the creative writing program at my uni, i figure it’s a good place to go…anyways. i’m not dressed, it started 22 mins. ago and is 30 mins away…the shy part of me is saying “stay home and cuddle with your dog”, but these words helped me settle down a bit.
i don’t know if that comment makes sense…but the “trying to be normal”, coming to a girl who was always described as “head in the clouds”, weird, and others…it meant a lot.
i’ve always thought i come here exactly when i need to.
peace to you, my internet friend.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Beautiful photo, jen. I usually prefer softer colored roses — but this red is so …. voluptuous.
I’m not a momma but I’m very tempted to read Karen’s book. Would you say it has wisdom that daughter and aunts can apply? The quote you shared makes me think so.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Thank you for sharing that with me. Just what I needed to hear today. Is this photo with your new camera? I love it!!
February 17th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Stopped by the small is beautiful site, joined up, have now added Magpie Girl to my reading list. Have also gotten hooked on Momma Zen’s Cheerio Road. Thank you not only for your words but for all of these amazing virtual introductions!
February 17th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I so agree and have experienced the great calm and serenity that comes with stillness. (and even a little confidence too) Wasn’t it Matthew who said, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
February 17th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Thank you. I needed this very much.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:23 am
perfect…
February 18th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Once again, you inspired me today. And brought a moment’s peace in the midst of chaos - and helped the chaos become beautiful.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I just got this book and now I can’t wait to start reading it!
February 20th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
This is exactly what I needed, thank you. It is like an answer to an issue I’ve been wrestling with. I’m so grateful I found it.