Focal Point 

Searching for the Calm

Millions worldwide are searching for meaning in life, for solidarity in a changing world, for peace, hope and satisfaction. I read a book review recently on Eileen Campbell's new release, 'Time to be!' Campbell works for Thorsons, the world's largest puublisher of books on the mind, body and soul. Many authors go down this track of collecting an empirical, existential grab bag of ideas. Big words, but they mean in this case going on an emu parade with a Safeway bag and collecting whatever you can find.
Campbell picked up bits from Shakespeare, Thoreua, Emily Dickinson, The Bible, and The Koran. She also mixed her potpourri with such things as her experiences of t'ai chi, an Islamic Sufi master, an Indian ashram, Buddhism and a Catholic Mass. No wonder she wrote a book entitled A time to be!'' With all that picking up she would have been exhausted. 
Now before you follow her frenetic journey, I'd like to introduce you to the author of life. His book is the workshop manual for life. One of his appointed kings, the wisest human ever to live wrote, and I quote in part,
"There is a time to be born and a time to die
A time to weep and a time to laugh
A time to mourn and a time to dance
A time to search and a time to give up". (Ecclesiastes 3 Bible)

With only half quoted, we could caption his words 'A time to be!'
Campbell has travelled the world in her search and the search in itself is not a bad thing. I'm suggesting that we define more carefully our sources. Much of our search centres on finding ways around things like grief, work, mourning, hardship and acceptance. We want the quick fix, easier way through in life. Jesus said, "The path that leads to 'Life' is narrow and steep and only a few find it".
Narrow the search, read the maker's manual, maybe join an alpha group on a six-week discovery trip right in this valley.
May God bless you and may his Holy Spirit enlighten you on your search.

Graeme Dawson Focal Point Manager 0409 517273 

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