A Thousand Small Payoffs

Although I haven't inherited a large chunk of Beverly Hills, I believe the Christian bible when it says: "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Meekness has given me numerous blessings including survival, good health, and clean shoes. I'm sure similar benefits will accrue in the future

My favorite pathways to meekness include:

* Making sure I'm not on the wildlife menu when I go hunting.
* Watching the earth instead of the clouds
* Putting safety first
* Avoiding everyday hazards
* Using the curiosity of a child
* Thinking

Staying Off the Wildlife Menu

In pioneer times, woodsmen studied the ground looking for tracks. If small game was around, they might trap it and have meat for dinner. If wolves or bears were near by, they took care to ensure they weren't the main course at a predator's orgy. In those days, the meek and cautious kept their eyes on the ground as an act of survival. Today, looking down still reduces the risk of stepping on low profile life forms like dogs, cats, and snails.

Watching the Earth Instead of the Clouds.

As I try to be meek, I keep my eyes on the ground instead of the clouds. I might miss the hawks and the eagles, but I see squirrels and ants that are busy at work. This aspect of meekness helps me live a much safer life.

Putting Safety First

I stubbed my toe on cracks in the sidewalk and tripped over twigs that lay in my path until exasperation taught me the wisdom of becoming more meek. In quest of meekness, I look down as I walk, lessening the risk of stumbling over the ice cream cone I dropped there last week.

Avoiding Everyday Hazards

Today, watching the path isn't a life-and-death matter but a downcast gaze is still beneficial. As an example, looking down helps me avoid globs of gum on the sidewalk, and I'm less likely to slip on souvenirs left by dogs, boys, and geese.

Learning From the Meekness of Children

When my daughter was young, we tried to teach her that girls should stand straight and look like prim ladies. Since then my daughter has shown me that the meek may not inherit the earth but they are more likely to find any loose change that resides on the sidewalk. When walking, her eyes monitored the pavement with a minesweeper's pattern. She looked like a hawk hunting prey. As a result, she missed nothing that might add to her wealth. Although looking for gold or ten-dollar bills, she willingly settled for nickels and quarters. She frequently found them.

Thinking

Thoughtful intellectuals are often shown in the movies with their eyes looking down as they contemplate the meaning of life and other deep mysteries. Having noticed this, I try to benefit from this stereotypical misconception by assuming a similar position. Normally, I try to devote my mind to ethereal thoughts like why God brought me into this world or what were His plans for my future? I even ponder on why I have only two eyes where three might allow me to see to the rear as well as the front and two sides. As things are today, only teachers seem able to monitor a room full of kids while facing the blackboard.

The meek won't have to wait from here to eternity to benefit from looking down. They're just mild mannered and humble. The hereafter will come in its own time. The present, however, is here. This is when the meek, with their eyes on the ground, will find all the ten-dollar bills and errant loose change lost by those with their heads in the clouds. In addition to finding lost bounty, the meek will be spared the tiresome toil of cleaning gum off their shoes before entering church.

(c) Henry L. Lefevre