Some time ago,
I had to return something to my friend who lives near a central train hub. It was during the morning rush hour so when I was going back it was against a stream of suited-up workers hurriedly heading to their respective offices. It seemed as though I was the only one not headed toward the train when I noticed a little girl running and laughing near me.

At first I thought
she was playing tag with her mother who was behind her but then I saw that she was enjoying chasing her own shadow. It was a bright and sunny day so her shadow was extra dark. I found it interesting because we normally run away from shadows rather than toward them as they often represent the unknown, or something we fear. Also, the contrast between the busy workers and the carefree child made me think about how life changes as we grow older.
I wondered
if there is a kind of wisdom only children possess. Perhaps her attitude toward her own shadow is how we should face our own. Just as the little girl was secure in knowing her mother was behind her, we can face our own shadows confident that the sun shines on us.

These were my thoughts
as I walked ahead of the playful pair listening to their sweet laughter and occasionally glancing back at them. (We happened to be going up the same long block.) I then noticed the white words on the girls black shirt. ‘Practice Makes Perfect.’ It’s an interesting saying. I wondered what is being practiced and what exactly is being perfected. It seems we are all hurriedly striving for perfect lives but perhaps somehow end up in a kind of endless rush hour.
As I read her shirt,
I was reminded of a verse that speaks of perfection. (1 John 4:18 ). ‘There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.’
Suddenly,
the answers to my questions became clear. What is being practiced? What is being perfected?
Love.
You
and I.