Grace only takes us
as far as our willingness
to recieve it
will allow
it points to the path
and lightens our burdens
along the way
the walk
however
is still ours to make
grace does not carry us
where we are unwilling to walk
but in the end
when we look back
we realize
that grace was carrying us
the entire time
GRACE CARRIES US
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
Good intentions alone may not be enough, but they are a better starting point than the alternative.
When we talk about someone’s good intentions, it is usually a way of easing the pain of disappointment, saying that, in spite of some negative outcome, at least the person in question means well.
Wanting to do good is not how good works are accomplished.
Desire and intention are never as powerful as action.
As such, good intentions are often dismissed as being ineffectual sentiments used to excuse poor behavior and failed, or lack of, action.
Of course, positive action toward some worthwhile goal is more desirable than simply wanting to do good.
Still, wanting to do good and falling short of our ideal is far better than never having wanted to do good at all.
Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.
Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Photo by Robert Van Valkenburgh. Artwork by Ana.
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Meditations on God 