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Taking a Chance

"Chance is the pseudonym of God when he did not want to sign." --Theophile Gautier

So often good things happen as a result of taking a chance on a loosing bet. It's a form of paradox: what seems to be the wise course, isn't necessarily; the expected outcome is replaced by a surprise.

Years ago, while I was working at a church-sponsored social service agency, a young man of about twenty-five approached me with a typical hard-luck story. He was AWOL from the army, but recently had a change of heart. He was broke and wanted to borrow money for bus-fare to return to his army base in Kansas, turn himself in, and try to work things out.

Oh, sure. Likely story. "If you give him money, you're dumber than I thought," was a supervisor's direct way of stating his opinion. Others agreed with him. So did I. So I said "No" to the soldier.

But he was determined, and in the end, his determination prevailed. I loaned him the money. I recall it was a little over a hundred dollars.

Of course, I didn't tell anyone at the agency. About an hour after I gave him the money and he quickly disappeared, I had profound remorse and self-anger. Live and learn, I said to myself.

Live and learn indeed. I got the money back -- with five dollars interest! -- in the mail about two months after the event. With it was a simple thank you-for-trusting-me note.

But I didn't trust him, I thought. No one trusted him. But I must have trusted him, at least for a moment, and it was at that moment I acted. Of course most of the time, you don't get the money back.

So? So the human heart wants to trust and sometimes it works out. So once in a while take a chance. So the occasional surprise is worth the failures. So God doesn't always sign.

Today, look around for a chance to take a chance.

---

Reviews of Quiet Mind

"pithy and relevant"
David M. Johnson, Kennewick, WA on amazon.com

I originally picked up this book because of the title, figuring it would have some nice observations about existing in our "busy" world. I was surprised that not only did it have some pithy, and relevant thoughts about our lives, but that they were insightful and thought provoking as well. The short one or two page comments are just enough to read quickly, but deep enough that I found myself thinking about them at various times throughout the day. I have enjoyed this book so much, that I bought four more for Christmas gifts. One of those incidental purchases that turned into a real find.

Peace in crazy lives
A. Pinner, Alabama on amazon.com

This is a great little book that reminds us to stop and breathe to clear the mind. It helps us to manage some peace among our crazy lives. Thanks!

Miracle of Mindfulness
A reviewer from Los Angeles on amazon.com:

This book is a miracle of mindfulness! In short segments that can be read in less than 10 minutes, Kundtz manages to distill the philospohy of Christian, Buddhist, and other religous traditions in a way that is refreshingly non-sectarian. The exercises that conclude each segment can easily be remembered and conducted throught the day and, taken together, form a transformational course in mindfulness for the everday person. My only complaint about the book is that I wish it weighed less, so it could more easily be tossed into a briefcase or purse.

Life-changing Book
Reviewer: Amy Berger:

David Kundtz has created a masterpiece! Just reading the introduction to Quiet Mind touched my soul and brought a smile to my face. David's concise suggestions for healthy, peaceful living are necessary for each of us living on this often-complicated planet.

Quiet Mind is easy to read, quick to digest and provides a top-notch reference book for each day, during the times I need some clarity and a bit of humor...it's a book that I'll refer to for a long time to come. Thank you David for this lovely, helpful book!

For those seeking a greater understanding of life!
Reviewer: Sandra Smith, Midwest Book Review:

Quiet Mind is the latest offering from David J. Kundtz, a psychotherapist, author, and speaker. Dr. Kundtz is an advocate of Stopping, "which is doing nothing--for as briefly as a minute or for as long as a month--for the purpose of becoming more fully awake and remembering who you are." People today are starved for time to themselves. Their days are filled with so many things that have to be done that they have no time for solitude or reflection.

Dr. Kundtz's meditations are intended to help people turn those little moments between activities into "stillpoints," where there is no guilt or pressure, where the focus is on just quietly and peacefully being. Those who are able to make such moments for themselves will find that they enjoy life more, and have more energy to do the other things they need to do.

Dr. Kundtz divided the book into fourteen chapters, with titles like "Making Room for Life" and "Finding Your Balance." Each chapter is filled with relevant meditations. Finding Your Balance, for example, includes "A Walk Down The Street" and "It Just Is."

All the meditations begin with a quote--some from philosophers like Socrates, and some from contemporary sources, like Woody Allen. Dr. Kundtz then offers a quiet "reflection" on the quote, and ends with a suggestion of how the reader might apply it to his or her own life. His reflection on "It Just Is" ends with "today quietly observe what keeps you from going with the flow." Everyday Serenity includes a meditation for each day of the year. Each is designed to serve as an opportunity to "pause for a purpose, to draw you to a moment of both rest and insight." Readers who use them will find themselves "becoming more awake and intentional" with a greater understanding of what they truly want from life and how to get it.

'All work and no play make Jack and Jill dull kids.'
Reviewer: Jill M Long:

Great quotes offered inspiration. Great research provided the motivation. Don't be fooled that the 1-1/​2 page snapshots of a variety of topics from finding peace and balance in your life to receiving permission to stop aren't deep enough. Each word, each question posed in the fourteen chapters address key issues of life and I must have tabbed ten pages for later reference.

As part of a writer's group, I introduced the others to David Kundtz's words of wisdom and encouragement. I know two went and bought his book the next day.

Thanks for reminder in the (adapted) traditional saying: 'All work and no play make Jack and Jill dull kids.' I have to go mountain bike now, and yes, it's the middle of the workday :-)

- Jill (That's really my name.)