In a fog?

When we feel muddied and unfocused, unsure of which way to turn, we say we are in a fog.

Like being in a fog in nature, we may feel like we can’t see where we’re going or where we’ve come from. And we’re afraid if we move too quickly we might run into something hidden in the mists.

Being in a fog slows us down by limiting our visibility. The best choice is sometimes to pull over and wait for the murkiness to clear.

If we move at all, we often must go slowly feeling our way and keeping our eyes open for shapes emerging from the haze, perhaps relying on the taillights of someone in front of us as we make our way along the road.

Most of us prefer to be able to see where we are going and move steadfastly in that direction. But sometimes it takes an obstacle like fog to get us to stop and be still in the moment, doing nothing.

Being in a fog reminds us that when we cannot see outside ourselves, we can always make progress by looking within. Sometimes the source of our fogginess is an emotional issue that needs tending before going full steam ahead.

Then again, the fog may simply be teaching us important lessons about how to continue moving forward with extreme caution, harnessing our attention, watching closely for new information, and being ready to stop on a dime.

We cannot predict when a fog will come, nor can we know for certain when it will lift, but we can center ourselves in the haze and wait for guidance. We may find it inside ourselves or in a pair of barely visible taillights just ahead.

Whether we follow the lights out of the fog, wait for a gentle breeze to lift it, or allow the sun to burn it away, we can rest certain that one way or another, we will move forward with clarity once again.

I believe we have all experienced our own fog. And I’ll bet that most of us have found it frustrating, wanting to move on and out right now!

But there is always a blessing to be gained by

• slowing down,
• becoming aware and conscious of what’s around us, and
• accepting the lessons and opportunities hidden in the fog.

Kids said what?

Teacher: How old is your father? Kid: He is 6 years old. Teacher: What? How is this possible? Kid: He became a father only when I was born. (Logical? Of course!)   Teacher: Maria, go to the map and find North America. Marie: Here it is. Teacher: Correct. Now, class, who discovered America? Class: Maria […]

Wisdom from Winnie the Pooh

Meaningful truths abound in childen’s books! And Winnie the Pooh and his friends are thought-provoking and inspiring! Here’s some of my favorites!                                             On friendship~ On self-esteem~ “You are braver than you believe. Stronger […]

So should we ask why? Part 2

Last week I wrote about weakening questions like “Why does this always happen to me?” On the other end of the spectrum, there are the what and how questions that are strengthening questions. These are the questions that bring forth a perspective that will help us overcome any obstacle or challenge. Some examples of what questions are: […]

Don’t ask why! Part 1

There are basically two types of questions that we can ask ourselves on a daily basis. And today’s post will focus on the first type. This first category of questions weakens our ability to think effectively and, at the same time, makes us feel inadequate and incapable as we lose ourselves within our excuses and […]

Another Zen parable

A traveler finds himself lost, wandering in the forest for many days. Finally he comes upon a grass hut, the home of a lonely hermit. Exhausted and starving, the traveler remembers hearing stories of the ornery and aggressive hermit he must not confront-or die. If the traveler threatens the hermit with his machete and demands […]

Forrest Gump at Heaven’s Gate

Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven and is met by St. Peter himself at the Pearly Gates. But the gates are closed. St. Peter say’s “Well, Forrest, it’s certainly good to see you. I must tell you, though, that the place is filling up fast and we’ve been administering an entrance examination for everyone. […]

Earth Hums Just Like We Do!

Scientists say that our planet generates a constant, deep thrum of noise. Not just noise, but rather a kind of music-“huge, swirling loops of sound” that are so low they can’t be heard by most human ears. But apparently, as of 1998, we have sensitive equipment that is getting better at picking up what the […]

Is it funny?

There’s this story… Theresa, a language teacher, was explaining to her class that in French and several other languages, unlike English, nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine. (I do remember my days of high school French!) “House” for instance is feminine: “la maison.” “Pencil” however is masculine: “le crayon.” So, a student asked, […]

Band-aids or surgery!?

What do Scotch Tape, Post-it Notes, and paper clips have in common? Each apparently has a different function, is made of a different material, and serves its own purpose. Oh sure, you can say they’re all office supplies (and you’d be right) but we can look a little deeper for their common purpose. Paper clips […]