Turn ... And Come Out Right

Not long ago a commercial airliner landed at New York's JFK Airport. The captain was new to the New York and steered the jet off the runway, onto the taxiway and stopped. Slowly he began taxiing. First he turned the nose of the aircraft to the right. Then he turned it to the left. Then he turned the plane completely around.

Finally, over the public-address system, a confused voice asked, "Does anyone know where Gate 25 is?" Perhaps if he just turned around enough times he would come out right!

Deciding to turn, though, is something we often have to do if we are to live fully and live well! For each of us knows what it is to head the wrong direction in life; and we also know how relieved we feel to turn around again.

Do you remember the old Shaker hymn, written by Joseph Brackett, Jr. over 150 years ago?

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right.

Turning, I believe it is one of the most hopeful words in our language. We human beings, by turning, can do something about the course we've taken. We may not be able to change what we've already done; and we may not be able to fully escape the consequences of past choices. But we need not continue in the same, destructive path. We can turn. We can find our way again!

Are you headed the wrong direction? Don't give up...you can always start over. You can always turn. And turn again...and again...until you come out right.

~ Steve Goodier ~

[ by: Steve Goodier Copyright © 2006 (LifeSupport@yahoogroups.com) -- {used with permission} ]