The premise is not a
new one; quite the opposite in
fact, for it has been known from earliest recorded history. Much more recently,
about 450 years before the birth of Christ, the Stoic philosopher Zeno summed
it up in two words: “Know
Thyself.” This divine
insight—for such it is—need be our sole guideline throughout life.
Knowing
ourself means disencumbering
the crass materialism that burdens the soul. All too often this only manifests
itself when we are at our lowest, in a state of utter hopelessness and despair.
It is, nonetheless, a time when our cries are heard; when, by the grace of God,
we find the Way.
Garry D. Kilbourn
bwfaithministry
Excerpt
from CHANGE YOUR MIND—then your Diet ©
“Knowing ourself means disencumbering … the soul.”
Since the Friday, June 21st flood, when
directed by the police at 3am to leave our home, life as we knew it changed. We
returned 5 days later … to start working alongside fellow condo residents to
knock out wet drywall, scrape/push river silt into buckets etc. to haul out of
the basement/parkade.
In our neighbourhood and in others … life continued
on. People were once again off to work, enjoying breakfast at local
cafes, socializing, and just blocks away, at the very same time, droves of
volunteers were inserting themselves into our chaos, helping in any way they
could to pick up the pieces of distraught lives.
Garry and I became part of the growing “Purple Perk”
family … a local café on 4th Street was our kitchen and living room
from June 26th until August 3rd. “Power on yet?”
they’d ask as days grew to weeks.
Coming to know myself during this time incubated reflection
and change. blw
5 comments:
Know thyself indeed, and what a way to come to know oneself! I did not realize that all this time when I haven't been receiving your communications, it was because you had become a member of a new community, one of the victims of the 2013 flood! What a blessing to experience the love and support of total strangers who come to help out in any way they can to cope in such an emergency. May you continue to experience God's love through these trying times.
Sylvia
From Carol Ann...
I've wondered why I'd not heard from you - didn’t realize you were in the flood zone. Certainly a lesson in what "stuff" is really worth... Good for you to wade thru and glean something positive from the experience, we expected no less. CA
From J and P ...
The flood was and continues to be a great drama with many still out of their homes. Not an easy time. Purple Perk helped! Welcome back ...
J and P
From Kathryn ...
Hi Bonnie – I just wanted to say thank you for sending these emails.
I enjoy reading them and find that there is always something that I can take away with me.
My mother always said to me “to thine own self be true” and “no man is an island” - I still haven’t figured out what exactly that means :o)
I hope that things have settled down from the days of the flood and that you and Gary have a home again. All the best, Kathryn
Carol's email says,
I feel your ability to find and grow in strength and peace a testament to God's abundance. Thanks for sharing,
Carol
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