"are you coming or going?"

I wish I had a quarter for every time I've been asked that question. Especially as a child. Usually it's not been framed in a kind or gentle or patient way. I was the only one walking at the time and when I turned to walk back toward our house I noticed my footprints in the sand and that question came to mind, loud and clear.

"Are you coming or going?"

From the footprints it wasn't clear.

There are times I know exactly where I am headed and what I am leaving.

There are times I know what I am leaving but have no idea of where I am going.

I've been thinking it over.

I think, for most of us, at any given time, it can be both.

Sometimes it is crystal clear to us.

Other times it is a blur, about as clear as mud.

We are coming from something

• good or bad
• easy or difficult
• painful or joy filled
• happy or sad
• eagerly anticipated or dreaded
• and any number of other combinations

and we are going toward something

• bad or good
• difficult or easy
• joy filled or painful
• sad or happy
• dreaded or eagerly anticipated
• and any number of other combinations

so I am proposing that we choose to extend

• kindness
• patience
• gentleness
• compassion
• forgiveness
• love
• long suffering

to ourselves 

and to others

because we are all coming and going