This world can feel so strange. We’re born into an environment that seems to compel us to reach. And keep on reaching. As children, we learn the rules early: Kindergarten is meant to lead to Grade One, Grade Two, and so on. We are taught–explicitly and implicitly–that we should strive, reach, become more, and make something of ourselves. And to that end we often sacrifice a greater gift to the false gods of materialism, success, and money. Often, although not always, we pay a steep price for the ignorance of our ways.

Some years ago, the title of this article would have seemed nonsensical to me. I would not have understood. The very concept of being Right…Where I Am would have felt tantamount to capitulation. I would have been a loser. Without a mountain to climb or a vision to make real, I would have felt so very lost. Without purpose, what would have been the sense of living? Being, then–at least to me–was such a nebulous concept, for life was in the dreaming, doing, and achieving. Such misguided thinking seemed to offer only two paths called Success and Failure. And who of us desires to walk the latter? In my ignorance, I spent the first half of my life trying to succeed; only to later discover that I had not lived.

Now, I have a clearer understanding. I realize that Right…Where I Am we may find–if we still ourselves and awaken–that everything is, always was, and always will be just fine. Beyond the machinations of the mind, we may realize–now—that we don’t need to go anywhere, or be someone other than ourselves. Here, in this glorious moment–not the next or the next after that–a greater realization may also dawn: that we are not alone. The One is with us, and has been from the start. One: Omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. One: Beyond time, eternal. One: In our family, friends, and so-called foes. One: In every rock, tree, and butterfly. One: The All in all, including us.

What does Right…Where I Am mean? It means fine–fine with, and fine without. It means accepting of what is, and what is not. It means peace; living from a realm in which we’re not striving to be somewhere else. It means joyously creating, but from a detached and wiser perspective. It means content; dwelling with the Maker of our breath. Lastly, it means that we may rest, for we know that Right…Where I am, God is too. And with that knowing, what more could we truly want? Peace be yours, now and forever.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020), press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey. 🙏🙏

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”