Posts Tagged: good metaphors

“Becoming Smooth Music”

I just read an excellent meditation from Hazelden Publishing’s “Thought for the Day” tab for Wednesday, September 2. The author used the metaphor of windchimes for family life together. What a wonderfully suggestive way of thinking about family!

Think about it. The individual chimes are of differing lengths and are strung in just their right place. In order for there to be music, it must be so.

However, one thing that the author didn’t point out (although it was probably in the back of her/his mind) is the fact that the individual chimes need to be smooth. Otherwise, they get tangled and no music is forthcoming.

We had a wind chime with replicas of hummingbirds hung at appropriate intervals. It looked cute. However, real hummingbirds are not smooth and rounded. So, this particular set of wind chimes produced a lot of frustrating tangles and very little music.

Naturally, I want family members and friends to be smooth and musical. But what about myself? Do I try to be agreeable and treat others in a gentle and caring manner? I am only too willing to point out the rough edges in others, but am I willing to allow my own rough edges to be sanded off?

God help me to learn how to get along well with others, this and every day. Help me to become smooth music.

 (Based on Today’s Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©1985, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation, https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/thought-for-the-day, accessed 09-02-2020.)

Follow on Feedly