Other Voices

Someone said, “We should listen to other voices besides the ones in our head.”  That got my attention.  The difference between prayer and insanity is that with prayer, I open myself to some other voice, a second opinion, a different view, than the one I have.  With insanity, I listen only to the voices in my head.  These voices tell me that I will be happy if persons, places and situations would change and be what I think is right and just.  My head voices say I will be happy with a different job, city or living situation, or partner or religion.  The voice of prayer, though quite quiet and gentle, tells me that my happiness is within and a spiritual path is the way to reach that inner self.  Many a time I have gathered with friends, with my thinking that the world is all wrong out there, and unkind or ignoring me or whatever, only to hear a person say a piece of wisdom that reminds me that the “wrong” causing my unhappiness lies within me and my attitude or thinking.  Usually, when I pray less, the world around me gets all wrong.  Then, self-centered fear rules the my day.