[blockquote source=”Deng Ming-Dao”]”The moon does not fight. It does not worry. It keeps to its course, but by its very nature, it gently influences. What other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore? The moon is faithful to its nature and its power is never diminished.” [/blockquote]

I used to sleep in a soft, glowing light – a paralyzing fear of the darkness kept my night lamp, always ‘at the ready.’

For years, I clung to sheets as I watched the night shadows shift. In their wake, I imagined great, snarling beasts – and, over there by the coat rack… a monster with two heads!

But then one day, the lamp was broken – and, in its place I saw the moon.

At the window, I sat silently perched – watching the ‘glint of light on broken glass.” I watched as the trees marked their shadows in glorious patterns against the snow. And, through the air – with gentle arc – an owl graced past the moon.

For the first time, and at just 8-years-old, I felt gratitude for the darkness.

Night after night, I sat anxiously perched – the matters born of yesterday, no longer my worry. And, through this single 24″ x 36″ slot – I found my ‘window’ into the world.

With each passing crescent, my inner-calmness grew. Indeed, “what other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore?”

My fear was that ocean. And though, once a seemingly indomitable force – in time, it too, gently faded.

This is the lesson of our moon; that with each passing ‘tug’ a new found grace may be born.

And, even the most unruly of oceans may one day find their calm.