Sometimes the greatest adventure is trust.
by Heben Finnemore
One day a few summers ago, I needed to get away from my business for an afternoon to just go out with nothing to do but follow my nose and see what turned up. But this time I decided to let my guidance take me where they would. I simply asked for an interesting experience.
I drove out to the end of my driveway and asked, “Okay, which way do I turn?” The answer I got was to turn right. Each intersection I came to, I checked to see whether to go straight, or turn right or left. After driving a few miles, it seemed as though I already knew what the answer would be. I was guided to a gravel road about 16 miles northeast of where I live. I was driving along, checking each side road that meandered through a wooded area and I ended at an old cemetery that covered five acres.
I walked around looking at all the headstones and the general area, but nothing unusual appeared to me. I was about ready to leave when I noticed a large headstone that sat off by itself next to the woods.
I walked over and read the name and inscription on the stone. The name was Lawlor. (Lawlor was the last name of one of my father’s second cousins.) I remembered what great fun he and she used to have when they were together. There was total acceptance with playful conversation and games.
When I last saw her, she was old and suffering with illnesses. I wanted to heal her and help her get better. My father never focused on her illnesses. He always just made fun conversation and they would laugh together.
The inscription on the stone said, “If you don’t love somebody, nothing makes sense.” As I walked back to the pickup, I thought about the inscription and the relationship between my father and his cousin. It seemed to me, that loving someone was not taking care of them. It was the person’s responsibility to take care of themselves.
The message for me was that taking care of me is my responsibility. If I love and take care of myself, then I can be who I am to others, which is love. So, I had my lesson and experience for the day. I went home feeling relaxed and rested, and I had gained more confidence in working with my guidance.
Reprint from February 1997 Expression Magazine.