I have heard it said:  it's not the destination, rather the journey that is important.  I think there is a lot of truth here because whenever I focus on the destination the journey itself becomes my obstacle but, when I focus on the journey the destination becomes my joy.  That said, it's not as easy as it seems.

  Right now I am seemingly surrounded by people who are looking for the final result, or the finished product, or something out there in the future.  And, with that I see everything is suddenly troublesome, or confusing, or chaotic, or worrisome and life instantly becomes a burden for them.  These are people in dispair.  In my experience when people spiral down like that their only comfort is to ensnare everyone else they can, or as stated by others, become Misery looking for a bit of company.  These people are skilled at drawing others into their web by playing off the kindness of strangers.  Those they cannot ensare, they destroy.  None of this if of Christ but is itself diabolic.

  I myself am not moved by life's events.  Sometimes they are huge.  Sometimes they are disconcerting.  Sometimes they are uncomfortable.  Sometimes they are just annoying.  I've learned to take them all in stride.  I guess the best illustration is my driving.  I am a cautious driver; I don't speed; I take my time.  When people are in a vehicle with me I can sense their impatience as yet one more car passes by.  I hear the complaint about being late, or my needing to be reckless and that I ought to speed.  My reply is consistent and simple:  we'll get there when we get there.

  I think that might be my motto in life:  I'll get there when I get there.  I'm in no rush.  Where am I going anyway?  Really, how urgent is that run to the store for dog treats?

  If I'm not going to allow myself to be rushed or pushed by life's little demands, how much more should I slow myself down when the big stuff happens?  My attitude is the same:  Let's wait and see.  I hope my attitude and my motto are saying the same thing.

  So, back to those people with all those crises, with all those agendas and suspicions, with all those neverending problems, which I dare say are mostly self-created (read, imagined) because drama is SOOOO much more exciting than the calm and still existence of faith, but I digress. 

  I think when life's situations begin shaking the stuffing out of one's self there really is only one solution:  prayer.  I need to be still and let God act.  Seems He always does, at least that's how I read the Scripture; that's what I have experienced in my own life.

  Prayer, hum, what a novel idea!  Here's one that I say everyday:

  My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.  And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.  I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.  And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
(Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude, Gethsemani Abbey)

  I invite you to join me people, whoever you may be, walk with me in my journey and I'll walk with you in yours.  But remember, while you are busy worrying about the next hill, or valley, or twist and bend in the road, I'm just watching the very next step.  If you want to walk with me, you will have to slow down.

  And a final prayer, God save us from those miserable people and bring us to hope.