Wisdom from Winnie the Pooh Part 1

 

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” ~ Winnie the Pooh

 

This week, I invite you to hear wisdom of A.A. Milne, author of the Winnie the Pooh series.  Milne was born in London in 1882.  Growing up one of his teachers was the author H.G. Wells.  But even though he had such a famous storyteller as an instructor, writing was not Milne’s original career.  Instead, he studied mathematics in school.  He served in both World Wars.  Out of those experiences, perhaps as a way of processing all he had experienced and encountered, writing became more and more a part of his life.  Winnie the Pooh’s friend, Christopher Robin, is named for his son.  What I find fascinating about Milne is that woven into his light-hearted, children’s stories is sacred wisdom.  We might think these are just childish stories about an imaginary stuff bear who wants honey all the time or a Tigger who loves to bound gleefully around or Eeyore whose glass always seems half-empty.  Yet, these are stories are about diverse friendship ~ each character has a way of being in the world.  The stories are about how we relate and connect with those who are different.  These are stories about adventure and living life.  As someone who saw the pain of both World Wars, I hear Milne’s words as born from a deep place within his soul. 

 

Today, ponder Pooh’s words.  What it is that is taking up room in your heart?  This could be good – like ice cream on a hot day or talking to a family member/friend.  Or what is taking up place in my heart could be a comment someone made to me a few days ago or that jerk who cut you off in traffic.  The smallest things might be sweet or sour.  To make the smallest thing that resides within you a prayer to God – whether it is good or bad.  May you sense the One whose love is written on your heart as the story of life hold and enfold you today.