For fifteen dollars on the clearance table at Chapters I find enlightenment. Or so I’m promised. Throwing caution to the wind, I make the purchase. 365 Meditations: A Spiritual Journey on the Path of Wisdom. I flip it open and glance through glossy pages and colourful Zen images. A particular quote catches my eye:
“A falling tree makes more noise than a growing forest.” ~ Lao Tzu
I think about the program we are creating and the community that will be needed to support it. The extent of the problem is well known: thousands of military members, veterans, and first responders injured in the line of duty without sufficient supports in place to adequately facilitate their recovery. I hear the sound of them falling.
At the same time, I see a forest growing silently and steadily around me. It takes many forms:
- A steadily growing group of talented and passionate clinicians, expert in trauma recovery;
- A community rallying in support;
- A breathtaking center that is almost fully renovated;
- An ever expanding list of potential participants, tentatively stepping forward, daring to be the first in the program; and perhaps most significantly,
- Over the past few days… signs of interest from potential funders, willing to join us to help make this all happen.
We’re not there yet. But I’m hopeful.
There is indeed a forest growing around me. Caught up in the details of the work that needs to be done, it would be easy to miss. I glance back at my bargain Zen book and make a mental note to take a moment to appreciate the wonder of it all.
