Wisdom in Serendipity

"The safest place for ships is in the harbor. But that's not why ships are built." Anonymous

Edwin Friedman is a man whose ideas I have admired since I first heard him speak to a conference I attended. He suggested at that conference that when a system is "stuck," repeating behaviors and relationships that aren't thriving, it cannot free itself simply by trying harder or thinking itself through the problems. A spirit of adventure and serendipity leading to wholly new perceptions must happen first.

I'm not by nature a risk taker. I like my comfort zone. The foods I eat are the foods I enjoy. I don't volunteer to try new things. The places I most enjoy travelling to are places I've been before. I enjoy exploring for depth rather than for newness. That's part of why I enjoy the study of history so much. I'm one of the "oldsters" on the Vestry (our Church Board). By virtue of that fact (if for no other reason), part of my job is a witness to our history. At the same time, the relative "newbies" bring a fresh perspective and a vibrancy that is essential for our growth. That is a part of their job.

Where is the balance that keeps me from being "stuck" in my comfort zone without losing site of precious and hard-won wisdom? Where both the wisdom of the ages and the fresh breeze of tomorrow remain connected to one another there is space for the the healing reconciliation of the Spirit. God understands where we need to go. I need to open myself to His unexpected messages . . . and smile.