Open to the spirit
Today’s word: Proverb
1)Proverbs contain the wisdom of an age and some become timeless. This is from a portion of the book of Proverbs that was written around 700 BCE: “Like somebody who takes a passing dogby the ears is one who meddles in the quarrel of another.” Perhaps you are now thinking about a time that you meddled and wish you hadn’t. Perhaps you are nodding agreement and thinking about current arguments that you are staying out of. Perhaps you are wishing you heard this bit of advice earlier.
Scriptures and writings from around the world are full of these short, memorable sayings. They say a lot about the predicaments of our human existence and our attempts to make meaning. They say a lot about our search to find the best ways to live.
“A penny saved is a penny earned” was a proverb of the frugal household in which I grew up, and the exhortation to “make hay while the sun shines” spoke to our practical, hard-working, farmingroots. “Don’t be too big for your boots” or “Tall poppies get their heads chopped off” conveyed advice to be humble and quiet.
I wonder how some of the proverbs of our current age will hold up. “There is no such thing as bad publicity” and “You only live once” are encouragements to live big and loud, not caring what others think.
Proverbs can be guides through the daily choices that shape our life and
character. I encourage you to choose yours well.
2) Down through the centuries humanity has struggled with understanding its
place and purpose in the world. A good example of this struggle is chronicled in the Bible.this is a book of many stories that span many periods of time but its common thread is a search to connect what happens in the material realm to what happens in the spiritual realm, often expressed in the Bible as what God requires of us. The book of Proverbs, for me, represents ancient wisdom and also describes human struggles that are just as pertinent today as they were when written. How does one find wisdom in the midst of trauma? Where is God when tragedy strikes? Are there blessings to be found in our tears? What happens when we are selfish, greedy or power-seeking? Although our technology advances in leaps and bounds how we answer these kinds of questions will largely determine whether technology actually works for or against the common good. In an age where the tragedies of this week are lost in the news of next week we would do well to return to these ancient texts, the better to understand that enduring characteristics of humanity. It is only through self-reflection and self-knowledge that we can hope to break the cycle o life have been given.
A proverb, whether biblical or not, a quote, a little story, is a way for us to make connections. It is one strand in a web of stories of meaning and of traditions which allow us to know one simple fact. Whatever we are in need of in the moment, whether it is something simple or something quite profound, others have been there before. A few words, a simple rhyming stanza, no it will not solve everything, but it can give us pause and make us think. It can put our situation in perspective, and maybe sometimes even make us smile.
3) A proverb is an easy way to remember that sometimes we get bogged down in the details, or get overwhelmed in the many different paths our decisions can take. Should I do this, or should I do that? The simplicity, and the odd mix of both the specificity and universality of a proverb or quote is a reminder that we need to stop and not worry about all of the different ways we could head. When said in the right way at the right time, the stress and the fear can fall a way for a moment, as we revel in the simple wisdom laid before us. No, life cannot be boiled down to a t-shirt ready phrase. If only life was that easy. But life can be brightened just a bit, supported in a very real way by a simple few words of wisdom, said so many times before. When said when it needs to be said, and when these choice words fit so well, these are the moments when it's truth is realized.
4) In my family, wisdom was passed down through the generations through proverbs: A penny saved is a penny earned, If at first you don't succeed, try, try again, Many hands make light work, Where there's a will, there's a way. These simple adages, repeated often enough, really made an impression on me, especially as I got older and faced the dilemmas of young adulthood. I still remember them today.
My father was the one with the most proverbs to share. Their impact was so strong because he not only quoted these words, he lived by them. For example, no matter how many times a new project had a rocky start, he would persist until the work was done. He was the happiest when he could help others. He also, of course, had jars and jars of old nails he saved for just the right occasion in the future.
These days sharing wisdom is easier than ever. All you need is Facebook or Twitter. Many people love to make comments about others or give advice, usually unasked for. Politicians love an easy catchphrase or funny message. With an election looming here in Canada this fall we will hear many simple proverbs repeated over, and over, and over again. What will truly matter to me though is not the witty words, but how people show that wisdom in their everyday lives. The best proverb is a compassionate, well lived life helping others. Dear readers, what saying would you share with the world? Maybe more importantly, will your life
One word, four voices - Now it is your turn to reflect, what does independence mean to you?
Rev. Mead Baldwin pastors the Waterville & North Hatley pastoral charge; Rev. Lynn Dillabough is now Rector of St. Paul's in Brockville ON. She continues to write for this column as a dedicated colleague with the Eastern Townships clergy writing team; Rev. Lee Ann Hogle ministers to the Ayer’s Cliff, Magog & Georgeville United Churches; Rev. Carole Martignacco is Consulting Minister to UU Estrie-unitarian Universalists in North Hatley; Rabbi Boris Dolin, the spiritual leader of Congregation Dorshoi Emet in Hampstead Quebec.