If Only We Look

"We have what we seek, it is there all the time, and if we give it time, it will make itself known to us." -Thomas Merton

We have what we seek. Well that's good news. Oh, but I have to give it time. Darn! Well maybe writing this will count of some of that time. It is there all the time. Honestly, how many times have you spent days looking for something, only to realize you had it all along? And that is true with most things. I have spent a lot of time seeking things: happiness, affection, recognition. It is that seeking, that going out into the world, that can actually distract us from finding what we seek. It is in this way that Merton calls us to be more contemplative. To stop for a few moments in our busy lives and reflect on what we are seeking. And if we do this, then we will have a better chance of finding what we seek. Peace. Happiness. Compassion. All we need to do is stop and give it time, and we will find these things all around our. Shaping our daily lives and making themselves known to us, if only we look.

seek |sēk|
verb ( past sought |sôt|) [ trans. ]
1) attempt or desire to obtain or achieve (something)