What’s your business?

"So what’s your business", she said to me 10 years ago, as I was crafting letters and sending out resumes.   A little phrase; one sentence is all you need.   That’s where you start:  what’s your business?  What’s your purpose?  What is the business God has given you here on this earth?  Not what job you need.  What’s your business.   

What a wise woman.  she was a solid, faithful woman and part of a great family that gave me lodging when I finished up my graduate work at Ohio State — a nod of gratitude and endearance to the Puggielli’s. 

So yesterday, driving to the mall (funnily enough) - I realized: my business has changed.  It changed November 18th of 2005.   It’s been changing for several years prior.  But that was the day the old business ceased to be necessary.   

A new business, a new purpose God has for me now.   Granted it’s been almost a year and I’m only just beginning to understand all that happened on November 18th last year.   But I find myself relieved … breathing again -  no wonder I’m a bit confused about life in general … no wonder I feel a bit lost at times and am uncertain of my purpose in this world … no wonder I’m a mess on the inside and on some days not quite sure who I am. 

no wonder.   My business died when Dad died.  And as always with death, there is always new life, a new rising, a new dawn … a new business. 

My new business:  life.  Recovering life.  Living life.  Healing life.  Bringing life. Seeking life.  Loving life - all of life.   

Question

So someone tell me, is it normal to paint the front of the house while the inside is still a mess and gutted … while the sides have only drywalls… while the back is still under construction??? Is this how houses that have been gutted are usually put back together??  Cause there is actually something I find comforting in this restoration process. 

Me and My Shadow

Me and My Shadow … and yes, nine times out of ten, my shadow has 4 legs instead of two and is always chocolate whether the sun is shining behind him or not… 

But I was struck yesterday standing at this little overlook, watching the stream trickle on through (another daily routine of Bugs and I) I was struck by our shadows - one beside the other.  And today I realise this is what we do .. this is what we, my friends and I, do … we stand in the sun side by side - we stand inthe light, looking at - trying to follow -  the life that flows around us.   And then every so often we find our shadows, the dark, messy but still beautiful parts of ourselves.  So we stand side by side allowing the light to heal and shape and define us.  Discovering who we are and the life that flows before us.   

I can’t help but wonder, if it is even possible to see yourself - to really see yourself - unless you stand in the sun. 

For my dear shadows that I find beside me — I am grateful.   Thank you for standing in the sun with me.

Companions on the road.

walk along side with me,

the best is yet to be.

faithful friends of all sizes and shapes with a variety of legs, the best is yet to be.