Once upon a time, a donkey fell down a well. The animal cried and cried and cried – for hours. The farmer tried to help but … he decided the animal was old and it wasn’t worth his time and energy to save the donkey. So he and his neighbours began to throw dirt into the well.
When the donkey realized what was happening, he cried and cried and cried. Then he quieted down.
The farmer and his neighbours continued to throw dirt into the well. When the farmer looked down the well, he was surprised at what he saw! With every shovel of dirt that fell on his back the donkey was doing something amazing! He was shaking off the dirt and taking a step up. As the dirt continued to be shovelled on top of the donkey, he would shake it off and take another step up.
Everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
We all get dirt shoved on us and sometimes we even shovel the dirt on ourselves. Each time we say “I can’t … I can’t do this. I can’t try that. I can’t go there,” we are shovelling dirt on ourselves. That’s when we need to get out of the deep well we’re in … the well of self-pity … blame … low self-confidence.
We need to shake off the dirt, take a step up, not give up, let every adversity become a stepping stone to positive change.
We *can* get out of the deep wells – whether our well includes feeling lonely, feeling anxious about upcomingassignments, not making friends, frightened about the future, worried about upcoming medical tests, dental treatment, surgery, finances, politics, an upcoming meeting, COVID19, exams, whatever!
When dirt falls on your back, remember the donkey, shake it off and take a step up!
Have you ever wondered how to make a wise decision? how to know which direction to go when faced with more than one possibility? how to discern the will of God? how to determine the way to go re: medical decision? possible move? job? vote? finances? relationship? health issue?
You’ve reasoned. You’re sought the advice of others. You’ve prayed. You’ve done your research. You’ve brainstormed – looked at every angle you could possibly think of. Still, you’re not certain.
Which is the right answer for you at this particular time? Which road will be the wisest choice? What decision would be the best?
Like everyone, I’ve found myself in situations seeking wisdom, hoping to discern wisely. Whether the situations have been simple or complex, each time, here’s what I’ve learned. ‘Listening’ is the key. Listening to my body; listening to my mind; listening to spirit – that “still, small voice within.”
The next time you are faced with a decision, checking things out with your body, mind and soul could provide the answer.
Listen to your body.
If it is relaxed about going in one direction, it’s a possible “yes.”
Listen to your mind.
If it is at peace and you are not still trying to “figure it out,” it’s a possible “yes.”
Listen to your heart.
If it soars with openness, enthusiasm, joy, curiosity, anticipation, it’s a possible “yes.”
When all three are a “possible yes,” then harmony is evident: harmony of body, harmony of mind, harmony of spirit and could be showing you a good road to take, a gentle path to journey, a wise decision to make.
Her face lit up when we shared a moment-in-time today.
She, in her mid 70’s, was looking at summer tops and slacks.
She was wearing beige slacks, beige top and black jacket with black purse and black shoes.
The clothing she was looking at? Black sweater, beige slacks, black top.
I could “see” her in lovely pastels but all she was looking at was … black, beige and more of the same.
I quietly asked “What do you think of this colour?”
Her reply – “So lovely for you, dear. But not for me.”
She had given me an opening – and so I gently asked – “Why not?”
Her reply – “I’m old.”
I picked up two pastel blouses – lilac and peach – and asked her to come with me to the mirror. I think she thought I was going to try them on and wanted her opinion. She was half right. I wanted her opinion … but not for me – for her.
I tucked them under her chin and she smiled – and looked at me and said “I’m too old.” And then she looked again. And smiled.
We chatted a bit. She confided that she hated wearing black and beige, but those were what old people wore and she didn’t want to have people think she was trying to be young again.
And then, after she held up the coloured shirts a few more times and could see they brought colour to her face and (maybe it was my imagination, but she stood straighter when they were under her chin), before I knew it, she had purchased them both. As she went out the store with a lovely, big smile on her face wearing the peach-coloured shirt, she said “A difference – you have made a difference.”
Nawww, it wasn’t me – it was her. For in that moment, she decided to wear colour and enjoy her life … every moment of life. And yes, I’m *sure* she was walking straighter as she walked out of the store. Those colours really suited her.
She took a risk – and made a difference.
<update: The story is true. The photo is not of the woman in the story but permission has been granted to use the photo for this story by a lovely septuagenarian (75 years young!) woman who loves colour – and life!>
It’s spring in many parts of the world and both flowers and weeds are growing in abundance.
Mother Nature provides a challenge – which do we allow to grow most in our mind, in our heart, in our soul? Flowers (seeds) or weeds?
Thanks to the birds who deposited the seed-treasures this spring, there are lovely columbines growing in the garden, Mother Nature provides a wonderful challenge for soul-reflection.
Our mind is like a garden and our thoughts are the seeds. We can grow flowers or we can grow weeds
Do we allow seeds to grow flowers in our mind, heart, soul, in our words, thoughts about others/about ourselves. Or do we allow weeds to grow in our thoughts about others/ourselves?
As his wife, I’m claiming “bragging rights” today about Hans.
When our local paper learned of his recent two-page feature article in the March edition of the national magazine “More Of Our Canada”, they sent a delightful young man, Paul Brian to interview Hans. While we knew that Paul’s article about Hans would appear in the March 23 “Citizen” paper, here in the Cowichan Valley, we had no idea his photo would be on the front page … but it is (!)
While the actual article (a couple of informational-errors but what-the-heck <g>) is inside the paper on page 16 it and the “More of Our Canada” feature article about him are early birthday presents for my artist-husband. 🙂
walking on the boardwalk of life
i wonder “where am i”
is the road ahead straight or curved or
narrow or up a hill or in a valley
or like a circular staircase
it really doesn’t matter because this is
the road we are on
and if we come to a junction
where two roads converge
we will make a choice
and it will be the correct road
the right road
for us at that time
it will be a road where we will learn and grow
and cry and rejoice and forgive and be forgiven
and be hurt and be happy and grieve
and laugh and wonder – again –
“where am i”
for in the wondering
there are new opportunities
and in time we will recognize that
we are where we need to be
at that moment
The Season of Wonder brings the wonder of magic the wonder of gratitude the wonder of peace and joy, love and hope. May we all enjoy the Season of Advent the Season of Wonder.
I’ve been reading Soulistry for five days now, and I am only on the second page. I think this little book is bigger than it looks! I have read many good books on creativity, inspiration and spirituality, but this one is different. It’s a guide, but not a how-to book of activities and projects. Journaling is strongly suggested, but not required. The format is simple: a quote (journal prompt) followed by questions to ponder.
A myriad of topics from aging to mystery to God are touched upon. The book can be read in a day, or it might take a year to get through it. Every prompt with its set of questions stands on its own. I would suggest that the reader become familiar with the back of the book which contains the epilogue and the appendices before reading and working with the prompts and questions.
June Maffin knows that a good teacher does not give students answers, but instead poses questions that will lead the students to the answers.
Personally, I find journaling to be a powerful tool as a prelude to doing art especially if it incorporates calligraphy. The quotes (prompts) and Soul-Questions of Soulistry become a vehicle for transforming the written word into a visual concept. Journaling facilitates the transformation with deep personal meaning.
So, the journaling becomes imagery, a sketchbook. Soul + Artistry = Soulistry. (Amazon review)
