The Second Meiji Principle

Just for today, I will have faith and trust in the divine plan.

What, you may ask, is the divine plan?  Do I have one of my own, or is it something I share with others?  Is this plan set in stone, or can I change it if I don’t like where it’s taking me?  And who the heck made this plan without discussing it first with me?

Imagine yourself wearing nice new hiking boots, walking down a wooded path. You can keep your eyes down, watching where you step and carefully treading on the smooth spots, avoiding rocks and puddles.  This way, you will stay on the path and not get lost, but you won’t see the rabbit scurry under the fallen log, or notice the cheerful people who pass.  You may miss the signpost that gives you a choice of direction, the detour that could bring you to the picnic area or to a scenic overlook.

Or you can lift your eyes to the canopy overhead, gazing at the lush leaves, looking for birds, and rejoicing in the sparkle of the sun through the foliage.   But this way, too, might cause you to miss the signposts; and what happens when a muddy puddle appears in your path, or the way turns rocky?  At the very least you’ll mess up your new boots; worse, you may trip and bruise your knees.

Look around.  Up, down, and sideways.  Notice that you are not alone, that other hikers and animals and insects are sharing space with you.  If you trip, decide whether you need to sit down for a while, or just brush yourself off and continue.  If you come across a signpost directing you to a side path, listen to your heart and spirit and choose which way to go.

As to who made the plan in the first place, well, you’ll just have to ask that of yourself and discover where your faith lies.