We Do Our Own Work, Part 1

Everybody is dealing with something,

Bearing some burden.

Each one of us is struggling

To come to terms with the way things are,

Making our peace with the truth of our life.

This is the work of maturity,

The singular task of the spiritual journey.

We are all growing up.

The more conscious we are of the process,

And of our place in it,

The better it is for everyone.

We do our part

When we put ourselves in accord with our life,

And live it as fully as it can be lived,

Anyway,

Nevertheless,

Even so.

I don’t mean lie down

And let it run over you.

I mean do what can be done

About what needs to be done

With the gifts that are yours to use–

I mean “get in there and do your thing”–

Every day for the rest of your life,

And let that be that.