"My life in boxes!"

"My life in boxes"

It is hard to imagine all my worldly goods are packed in these

boxes and ready to move again. I am anxious to see them.

I have never enjoyed moving but so far, I have done so almost

eight times in my adult life. Today it has become a fabric of

modern day living. Many of my professional friends have done

so in the course of their careers: places as far as Dubai to

Taiwan. From my experience, moving is never easy and it is

an arduous task. Early monastics considered moving as an

ascetical practice so that they may truly "become strangers

and nomads on earth." [Hebrews 11, 13]

   I call it a 'rite' of modern life and it is not entirely reserved

for the elite. Listening to the radio in Boston I heard someone

speak of "arrival cities" as a fast moving destination for the

poor leaving rural areas. Moving in any culture or place, losing

an established residence, being separated from the things a

person has grown accustomed to - even in a short time - all

demand a horrendous deal of energy not often chiseled in our

modern minds.

   "Foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests; but

the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." [from Matthew's

Gospel, chapter 8] I would like to think even Jesus had a place

to lay his weary head, perhaps a spare bedroom in the home

of his friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha. All great sages at

some time in their lives, remarkably most of them in their early 

thirties: Jesus, Mohammed, Siddhartha have forsaken security in search of a loftier goal. Whatever age or time, the call, the summons, the challenge, the departure can only be endured by the support of others, be they family, a community of ascetics or a hippie commune in an urban setting.

               "I see that wherever I go I find support."

These ancient words come from the mouth of Abba Poemen who like his 4th century contemporaries, embraced the concept

of frequent change of habitat. But not every move has an

eternal search.

   One of my friends, a Lutheran pastor, described to me how

guilty he felt dragging his family across the nation when he was

offered a more lucrative position. His children were traumatized in the first year. His wife nearly left him. 

The possibilities of grace seemed limited. What we learn, however, is what we actually value. Moving affords a fresh perspective on who we are and what we value in ourselves, enriching us in our relationships with others in our lives. Like early monastics, we do find support wherever we go, sometimes surprisingly in strangers!  A smile, a courtesy can do wonders!  I have learnt to see life differently again. I no longer take any comforts for granted.

   I remember one blistery cold morning in Boston. I went to

the Public Library and I noticed so many persons who had

filled the warm nooks of this magnificent building. I was one of'

them, reading, nodding away! My vision heightened that day.

I saw with different eyes, especially those who are vulnerable.    The injustices that are so prevalent in a society become a real focus for action!

   Packed boxes - I am ready to greet you home!