If a Tree Falls: Contemplating Life’s Blessings and Challenges

Some of us are in the habit of thinking about what we know; what we have experienced and are experiencing; and what we would like to focus on more deeply. While this habit is evidenced in differing ways it is clearly a process that seems to form part of the essence of who human beings are. And there is plenty to think about every day. Furthermore, this habit of thinking about life, has resulting in many interesting inventions, movements, and even inspiration about life. This is important. For when we are limited in our ability to engage in self-reflection, we stand a chance of becoming unbalanced. For it is possible to have what might be called a poverty in thinking and making sense of those thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. While it is also possible to think so much that one is stuck and in a ruminating rut that can cause disorders of the mind, heart, and soul. While it is not usually good to have a sparsity of thoughts and experiences it is also not usually good to be overwhelmed by them What is good is to have an appropriate abundance of wonderment that leads to stimulation of person and community. And so here we are – at the beginning of a book consisting of many pages containing thoughts about what the author and others know; what she and others have experienced; and some things many would like to focus on more deeply. And this time the material will be presented in a format similar to the previous publication, One Lesson at a Time 1– as a model for structured journaling, including content for contemplation, and hopefully rich sources for reframing memory, and furthering inspiration that leads to growth and development on the reader’s personal and perhaps communal levels.