Welcome Lake

We walked the shoreline of a small lake yesterday, then sat in the pickup for awhile. A half-hour vignette of lake life played out before us while we watched. A bird trolled the waters, swooping in on dinner. A family explored the waterfront on the far side of the lake. A few clouds dallied overhead. Wind brushed up the surface into white caps, and the sun kissed each crest. A lone duck paddled back and forth at intervals. We decided she must be ferrying food to a nest full of ducklings. A fisherman cast his line and soaked up the ambience just long enough to catch one fish. It was our first visit there, but we could tell this was habit for him, and the protected place by the trees was his favorite spot.

There was never a big crowd, but the lake had something to offer whoever was drawn to its waters and its borders. It occurred to me how much that quiet lake is like OA, operating under the principle of Tradition 11 - attraction, not promotion. A silver lure, a deep water healing to be drawn to, not a program to be advertised or rammed down unwilling throats.

Now that I've found the road to that spot, I won't need to be dragged back there. I will keep going back because I want to. I find something of value there.

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
**Buddhist proverb **