The well-known Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu said this:
“In this world, there is nothing softer or thinner than water. But to compel the hard and unyielding, it has no equal. That the weak overcomes the strong, that the hard gives way to the gentle -- this everyone knows. Yet no one asks accordingly.”
I sense the truth in this, that the “hard gives way to the gentle.” But what is it that I ask for?
Do I pray that the ends that I strive for and believe in be accomplished? Of course, but I am pretty sure that this is done on a regular basis.
So I assert that the question Lao Tzu alludes to must go to the how of it. The question is:
How might I find the gentleness, the softness, the humility in me needed to accomplish the task at hand?
How might these qualities be expressed through me that we might move forward to the fulfillment of our responsibilities?
So let’s ask now:
Our Father, God, The Presence in whom we live and move and have our being, I ask you to reveal to each in this chamber this morning that place in them to which no harm has ever come. For it is in that place that each may find their gentleness, softness and humility. I ask you to work in them to bring forth these qualities of character in their work together.
May You bless this day, this legislative body, and the State of California.
Amen.
