Nuggets in my Pocket
Whatever kind of training or marketing event one attends, there’s always one, or maybe two, nuggets of gold known as the take-away; something one hears, sees, or experiences, that remains in the heart to inspire the work in progress at home. Sometimes it’s a change of opinion, or a growth in understanding. Often, it’s a challenge, something new to learn or try. It could be a philosophy that changes a perspective. After the travel to and from, the noisy renewal of friendships, dining, studying, trade show floor and our booth, juggling class sessions and schedules, elbowing through chaos of attendees, it might be days before the brain settles once again into that quiet place where those nuggets can emerge.
Daily Mass and rosary were all beautiful, the classes worthwhile, especially the marketing, I loved seeing writer and vendor friends, and new this year, travel by train. But two nuggets, two take-aways, remain with me.
The Franciscan homilist at a Mass, said “God likes little beginnings; small starts.” Everything begins that way, His way. I’m sure every one of us heard something different in those words, depending on which chair we sit in, which hat we wear. Vendors, craftsmen, marketers, writers, we all relate to that in a different way. Yet, it’s not so different. It’s very simple, really. We were all once, a little beginning. Whatever it is one does, whatever it is one hopes to accomplish, it all begins with a little beginning. For a writer, it’s the little beginning sentence. It’s the first thought that is a beginning into a journey, an adventure, a discovery of time, place, characters. A little beginning. It’s God’s perfect plan for us. Why do we try to do anything any other way, but with a little beginning, a small start?
At the Tan Publishing breakfast, the speaker explored the word “adequate.” In scripture God gave to Mary enough of everything she needed in adequate measure. She wasn’t given more than she needed; not less than she needed. Adequate. Enough. What we desire for ourselves, what we pray for, is often more than enough, but only God knows what is adequate. Adequate is what we should desire and pray for. Adequate. Enough. And it is what we are given. How can we think of ourselves as inadequate?
My friends, have a blessed and adequate day.