Refuge
Everybody
wants a refuge at one time or another. The reasons may vary, but the
desire for refuge, to find a place to hide, to rest, to recover is
something that everyone experiences at some time in their lives. Most
of us never find it, we just endure and hope, wait, wish and maybe
even work for change.
Many
times, we are, by necessity, our own refuge. We take a break and temporarily
ignore whatever problem is the bother. This does not solve the problem,
but at the very least, it gives us the chance to take a fresh look
at it when we decide to finish the break and get back to dealing with
the situation.
This
is only a patch, though. There is still the desire for an actual refuge,
a place to go, a pressureless, stressless environment. The existence
of such a place is usually thwarted by everyday conflicts that people
let happen between them.
The
bottom line is that we owe each other refuge.
The best refuge, the one that many of us wish we could have, is given,
a gift. There are people there who give each other company, unconditional
company, non judgmental company, stressless company. We are each others
refuge, but only voluntarily, by choice.
You
can be a source of refuge for others. There is no guarantee that
you will receive it in return, but being a source of refuge is your
best chance of getting there. Your example could be the inspiration
for the creation of your refuge. Either way, your life is improved
by the experience and/or finding a refuge.
It
may not, probably will not be easy. People will doubt you, even while
they accept the refuge that you create. You will be looking for, working
for, the one out of many who accepts the gift by making more, by becoming
a part of, a participant in the refuge. It can be done, it has been
done. Making it last is the challenge.
Al Uvus
Appears with permission of copyright holder