Gloves

Mark twain once said the the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. Fr. Terry talks about his experience of gloves in the summer in San Francisco.

Gloves

It is August. Summer. I am wearing gloves. I am in San Francisco. I see people in shorts, tee shirts, no coats, but I am wearing gloves, ski cap and warm jacket. I am comfortable. This is a challenge, to remain in the present moment. My mind wants to drift. What do people think of me when they see me walking down the street? Is there something wrong with me? Why am I not like others in this town? And so on. The present moment without the inner dialogue, can just be me, comfortable me, looking at the scenery, stores, not judging myself or comparing myself to others. I am not wrongly made, or deficient in some way. I am just me, so I adjust to being me. If I try to be like others I see, then I will be needlessly uncomfortable, and cold. Be yourself. Maybe someone on the street wishes they had gloves?