WHAT IF by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

I’ve seen this little gem of wisdom before but post it here again as a reminder for us all…

- Grant
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WHAT IF it doesn’t matter what you do but how you do whatever you do?

HOW WOULD this change what you choose to do with your life?

WHAT IF you could be more fully present and open-hearted working as a cashier in the corner store – able to really see and be with the people who come into the store- than you are when you are striving to do what you hope or think will make a more important contribution to the world and the lives of those you love?

HOW WOULD this change how you want to spend your precious time on this earth?

WHAT IF your contribution to the world and the fulfillment of your own happiness is not dependent upon discovering a better method of prayer or technique of meditation, not dependent upon reading the right book or attending the right seminar, but upon really seeing and deeply appreciating yourself and the world as they are right now?

HOW WOULD this affect your search for spiritual development?

WHAT IF there is no need to change, no need to try and transform yourself into someone who is more compassionate, more present, more loving or wise?

HOW WOULD this affect all the places in your life where you are endlessly trying to be better?

WHAT IF the task is simply to unfold, to become who you already are in your essential nature- gentle, compassionate and capable of living fully and passionately present?

HOW WOULD this effect how you feel when you wake up in the morning?

WHAT IF who you essentially are right now is all that you are ever going to be?

HOW WOULD this effect how you feel about your future?

WHAT IF the essence of who you are and always have been is enough?

HOW WOULD this effect how you see and feel about your past?

WHAT IF the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I really am?

HOW WOULD this change what you think you have to learn?

WHAT IF becoming who and what we truly are happens not through striving and trying but by recognizing and receiving the people and places and practices that offer us the warmth of encouragement we need to unfold?

HOW WOULD this shape your choices about how to spend today?

- Oriah Mountain Dreamer