No Status Quo

There is a process of discovery on every road to restoration. Restoration is a journey. The journey begins when we decide that current conditions are undesired and longing for a better day has translated into action of some sort. By now we know running off helter- skelter is indeed like the proverbial headless chicken. Sometimes one seeking this restoration can feel like a prisoner trying to break out. He runs and hides and runs some more but soon the law catches up and he is returned to his chains if he's not shot on sight. Now I am old enough to have observed the secret that thoughts become things. I have made my life what it is today. If I am unsatisfied, I simply must change the habits of my thought.

My Aunt A.G.'s husband, Uncle Lou, taught economics in a college out in California. The last time I saw Uncle Lou I asked him, "Uncle Lou, is there one fundamental principle of economics you can tell me?" Without hesitation Uncle Lou replied, "There is no such thing as the status quo. You are either going forward or backward, rising or falling, gaining ground or losing ground. Any way you want to put it, there is no status quo." So the secret that thoughts become things is really no secret at all. It is constantly before our eyes. The circumstances of my life plainly declare the nature of my thoughts. If there is anything difficult about restoration, it is this recognition of self.

My condition is similar to this house. I have managed to recover somewhat from the ignorance and blind ambition of my youth. I may think life is livable but I must force myself to continually think toward further restoration and improvement. The good news is that this road to restoration, to recovery, isn't a death march. It may be the road less traveled, to borrow from Robert Frost. It is the adventure of a lifetime; my lifetime, your lifetime, whatever your road. Fear of what may lie ahead on this way must be replaced by faith and enthusiasm of exciting adventure. We don't travel alone for all of the great minds have left their marks along this way.

I borrowed the picture in this post from the NPS preservation brief on repair of masonry. Three stones laid together bound by a handsome mortar joint. That is some fine restoration work. I desire a life this solid if this be a fitting figure. I desire the restoration of our house to be this solid all the way through. I believe I have brought myself to this place to bring to bear all of my previous experience to effect a similar, rock solid, restoration. Thought charged positively immediately translates to positive effect. Stone by stone, thought by thought a wonderful house takes shape to shelter good life.