Monthly Archives: November 2016

Our thoughts matter and why we have different experiences

thought-quoteOne thing I’ve noticed the last couple of days is that people are going out of their way to be nice to each other. I posted on Facebook, “Do you notice it, too?” I got many a yes but two friends wrote, “I’m seeing the opposite and it’s wearing on me.” Knowing bother of them, I knew immediately why that was.  I replied, “I have no doubt you two have a different experience than I have. You are both activists in the true sense of the word in your daily lives. You physically walk past many more people than I do every day and, being true protectors and moms, you are ever vigilant. You are quick to scan an area for who might need your help and you are both confident, vocal, articulate and pretty fearless.  You’re like the lifeguard on the beach so naturally you attract situations where your skills are needed. I, on the other hand, may be on the beach up in the dunes near the boardwalk and may ask a passerby not to flick their cigarette butt in the gutter but I’m not down at the shore where the real action is. So yes, when I work from home and the ones I talk to are homebodies like me, wrapped up in our own little projects and gardens instead of out in the hustle and bustle of city life and watching the news, yes, we’ll attract different experiences.”    Continue reading

Some cannot see the mirror

mirror girl holdingOh, you have to laugh. Friends who posted hateful criticism of the administration for 8 years now lament the lack of positive Facebook posts and the media’s inflammatory coverage of the protests, saying it does no good to point out what’s wrong. They honest to God do not see that it is the exact same thing they have been doing for years.

“O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us, to see oursels as ithers see us.”

Parable of The Lost Horse – Blessing or Disaster?

horse-runawayA man who lived on the northern frontier of China was skilled in interpreting events. One day, for no reason, his horse ran away to the nomads across the border. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a blessing?” Some months later his horse returned, bringing a splendid nomad stallion. Everyone congratulated him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a disaster?” Their household was richer by a fine horse, which his son loved to ride. One day he fell and broke his hip. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a blessing?” 

A year later the nomads came in force across the border, and every able-bodied man took his bow and went into battle. The Chinese frontiersmen lost nine of every ten men. Only because the son was lame did the father and son survive to take care of each other. Truly, blessing turns to disaster, and disaster to blessing: the changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.