Saturday, May 17, 2014

Food for Thought

A couple years ago, when I was unsuccessfully re-establishing myself as a Houstonian, a dear friend of mine and I were having a conversation over plates of Greek food.



Our Thursday evening conversations would flow so easily, like a mixture of Christian uplifting and self-realization, that these became known as "soul sessions". During this particular session, he helped me come to the realization that I was so clung on my past, much so that, maybe God needed to take me away from that situation to be able to "see" clearly again, in the here and now. My friend portrayed this idea by using two staple table items: a salt and a pepper holder.

He said, "it's like you're in New York, and you have your established circles (motions to the pepper holder at the center of the table next to the salt holder).  "And then when you're so stuck in your world,  he shakes it up (removes the pepper holder) and all you're stuck with is...yourself" (only thing on the table is the salt holder). "Maybe you wouldn't have been able to get the message, unless he took that away."

Blown away. 

Fast forward three years and I have gained much and also lost much. But the gain was so worth it. I look back and I can recognize the past's "glue" or moments that easily swayed my mind into its weakness. Because holding on to the past is just as poisonous to the spirit as any addiction. And while I don't think I'll ever lose my deepest affections for the other city that I love, New York, I can also move forward and experience this new city in my future with just as strong a curiosity and wonder. 

Which is why the friends I have gained over the past few years are priceless and I am forever indebted for the good they've re-instilled in me. 

This one's dedicated to you STAY fam,

Missy

No comments:

Post a Comment