One of my favorite bookstores is Book Gallery West in Gainesville. Two weeks ago we took a side trip and paid them a visit in search of a book of meditations for Miss Sam. Although we came away empty handed in Miss Sam’s quest…I did not. Although I was not searching…I did indeed find a gem of a book.

The book is The Parent’s Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents by William Martin. Now I can hear the gasping and moaning that I have gone the way of New Age…but not so. I appreciate the wisdom that all spiritual explorations offer – I just replace their ‘god’ with my “God”. Or as in this case…when I see the concept of “Tao” I understand it to mean Jesus.

Here is something I read this morning that I would like to share:

Be Alert and Mindful

If you would be a wise parent

be careful in all you do and say.

Know that each action,

each word

has its effect.

Be alert and mindful,

living fully in each present moment.

Treat your children with courtesy

as you would treat a guest.

Be ready in a moment

to let go of one plan

and embark on another

if your inner voice so urges.

Have room within your heart

to hear the voice of both

your children

and your own spirit.

Do not expect fulfillment

from events or people

outside yourself.

Welcome and accept

things as they are.

Welcome and accept

children as they are.

Treat yourself with gentle care.

These qualities emerge naturally,

not by force of will.

William Martin

Make The Ordinary Come Alive

Do not ask your children

to strive for extraordinary lives.

Such striving may seem admirable,

but it is a way of foolishness.

Help them instead to find the wonder

and the marvel of an ordinary life.

Show them the joy of tasting

tomatoes, apples and pears.

Show them how to cry

when pets and people die.

Show them the infinite pleasure

in the touch of a hand.

And make the ordinary come alive for them.

The extraordinary will take care of itself.

William Martin

This is what I am thinking about today. How about you?