To ponder is to reflect. Deeply. Honestly. Courageously.
It is looking into all the dark corners and hidey-holes of ego. Bringing to light those aspects of self & my past-actions that shame would have me use as a weapon. A weapon against myself, others, and in my relationships.
It is also to embrace & own those strengths and areas of growth, improvement, and awesomeness about me that are no less true. Not in a way that makes me better than others; but in a way that acknowledges those truths about me among & with others who have similar truths!
We all have our stuff – great and grimy. I’ll not shy away from seeing & owning mine!
Nor will I retreat from acknowledging & owning its impact on self, with those I know & love – and if I’m really getting gritty with it, with those I don’t know. For their humanity dares me to acknowledge my impact on them. The store clerk, that other driver, my child’s teacher, etc.! Am I willing to consider the impact of my “stuff” on them?
So for what it’s worth, to ponder is to humble myself. And for me, this involves two things:
From my dissertation: humility invites “an earnest and non-defensive willingness to see oneself and others as accurately as possible, and a willingness to respond accordingly.” [click here for that light reading ;-)]
From my faith: Christ invites “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for it they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).
That’s what pondering invites – even requires – of me. To humble myself by way of that earnest and non-defensive willingness to look and to see, to respond, and to look to Him who helps me see clearly – see true – and respond well.
What about you? What does pondering invite from and of you? Once you’ve paused to look, are you ready & willing to see? Am I? Let’s go for it!
Take care,
Teejer