As the hour of the concert draws near, the orchestra members will begin to gather on the stage. Each member will bring his own instrument in which he is skilled, tune it carefully, and quietly play sections of the piece before him to 'warm up.' The sounds drift out to the waiting audience, and each player plays anything he chooses. The resulting sounds are disconnected from the rest of the instruments, discordant, and clashing. The beginning quiet sounds of dissonant music swell to a cacophonus assault to the ears as more and more orchestra members join the fray. Occasionally, a harmonious melody will come forward to be heard for a moment before the discordant instruments are heard again. Suddenly, the lights will dim and the orchestra will become silent. An expectant hush will fall over the hall, and the eyes of each of the symphony members will be fixed on the door... 
Life can become a series of distractions and calls from varied directions for our attention, and it can become disturbing and confusing. I have often felt swept down life's river like a canoeist who has lost his paddle. I have no control over circumstances, and I struggle to stay upright as I am swept swiftly along. I cannot change circumstances, but I try to apply the Serenity Prayer to accept the unchangeable and make the best of life as I cling voraciously to what I can find to hold. I seek silence, and the dimming of the glaring lights of reality so that I can focus my eyes on the door in expectation of the Concert Master.
FIRST ASSIGNMENT: Seek and attain silence, and allow the glaring lights of reality to dim.
Find a way to still your troubled spirit-find a quiet spot, play soft music, drink a cup of tea or a good cup of coffee, read God's Word, read a gentle book, watch a baby play, work in a garden, watch birds. Try to empty your mind of all troubling thoughts-fill your mind with thoughts of pleasant things in life. Make this a daily habit, at the least.
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