Under the Oak Tree – A Journey

PART ONE

Life is a journey, not a destination.  Since that fact is startlingly clear to me this morning, I would like to invite you along for a few moments.

For many years I had a tradition on my birthday.  On that special day I would find an oak tree, rest beneath it, and carefully review the last year of my life.  It was always an arduous process, requiring much introspection.  Sometimes it was painful, excruciatingly so … and sometimes it was joyous, breathtakingly so.   It was always worthwhile.

At its worst, however, introspection can be a supercial process;  just a series of questions you ask yourself.  Sometimes you can find answers, but often they merely lead to further questions.  This process can be palliative, but it is seldom curative.

Read more