A New Year's Thought

       Just tidying my office a few minutes ago, I opened Brian Browne Walker's translation of  Tao Te Ching, and this one caught my eye.  It seems appropriate for the season.  Enjoy!

Act by not acting,

        accomplish by not straining,

                understand by not knowing.

Regard the humble as exalted

        and the exalted as humble.

Remedy injury with tranquil repair.

Meet the difficult while it is still easy;

        cross the universe one step at a time.

Because the sage doesn't try anything too big,

        she's able to accomplish big things.

Those who commit lightly seldom come through.

Those who think everything is easy

        will find everything hard.

The sage understands that everything is difficult,

        and thus in the end has no difficulties.