Listen To The Mustn'ts

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,
Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me --
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.

- Shel Silverstein

I bought a book a few weeks ago from the First Unitarian Church book sale, called "Earth Bound," which contains "Daily Meditations For All Seasons." The first meditation I read yesterday, January 1, 2012. It was about the atypical human tradition of crafting "resolutions" for the New Year. I adore this tradition, personally. For probably all of the month of December, I find myself thinking about what I would like to see change the most in my own life the coming year. I don't often write my resolutions, but I voice them, to myself and my partner. We encourage each other in pursuing some that are meaningful to us both.

But this meditation/thought I read yesterday pointed out that we are the only species in nature who seek for perfection in this way. I am trying to craft my resolutions now in terms of what will bind me more to the earth and the natural world I am a part of. Eating & moving healthily. Practicing consideration and compassion for others (people, plants, animals, all life). The reading suggested that, rather than seek for 'perfection,' or resolve to be 'perfect,' we embrace the changes and inherent imperfections as parts of who we are as human beings.