A ha moments often seem to come to us when we’re in an unexpected situation. When something takes us out of our standard routine and our “going through the motions” approach, it seems that our structured minds are freed up just enough to create an opening for new understanding.
That was the case for me when I found myself singing a very familiar spiritual song in new spiritual surroundings. It had been just a couple of months since I began attending a Unity church. I was pleased when I heard the first verses of one of my all-time favorite spiritual songs, “Let There Be Peace on Earth”.
With a happy, confident voice I sang along, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be” and so on.
I got a real shock, however, when we got a little further into the song.
I was singing the traditional version, the only one I had ever known:
“With every step I take let this be my solemn vow.”
Except that when I used the word “solemn” the rest of the congregation used the word “joyous”.
Wow!
Joyous, instead of solemn?!
Wow!
It was amazing.
Of course!
Putting aside the fact that someone had taken liberty with the original songwriter’s creation, isn’t the result the same? In terms of making a conscious choice to be a channel of peace in this world, isn’t the end goal the same? Except that the path to get there is completely different. Instead of being solemnly resigned, you could be joyously committed!
Perhaps the end result wouldn’t be the same . . . I venture to say that it would be MUCH better and that it would be achieved sooner (regardless of the goal or activity).
That one switch in the wording of a very familiar song was enough to make a very strong impression on me. It blessed me with a great a ha moment and many times since then, I find myself posing the question,
“Why be solemn when you can be joyous?”
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If I were a Tegenae Mutant Ninja Turtle, now I’d say “Kowabunga, dude!”
You are a very bright person!
Thanks for sharing this enlightening perspective to focus on being joyous to attract more of it and
being a light for others…
Thanks for the insight. It bnrigs light into the dark!
I will be putting this dazlzing insight to good use in no time.
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