Tag: caring

As We Gather Around This Table.

“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

When I was a little girl, there was an older woman who would frequently visit our home.

My mother, always the gracious hostess, would set a veritable ‘feast’ upon the table—freshly brewed coffee; baskets of Italian bread (the ‘good stuff’, as my father would say); bowls filled with homemade pasta, and platters piled high with home-baked treats.

And, when our guest would arrive—my mother would spend hours with them at the table. Leaning in, always, with great care, as they grumbled over their ‘dreadful misfortunes.’

I never looked forward to these visits, as – every week, it was always the same. Our table was set for this honored guest, who would spend every moment complaining.

“Why do you put out so much?” my father would ask.

To which my mother would reply, “Because, she needs it more.”

At the time, I thought she was talking about the food. But, as I’ve grown older, I’ve learned—there’s a gift that extends far beyond a simple table setting.

It is the only gift that human kindness can bring.

You see, this woman who really had nothing in this world—left filled with a most cherished memory.

And that seemed to make it all worth it.

 

How to Live this Life Completely.

[blockquote source=”Jonathan Safran Foer”]I regret that it takes a life to learn how to live.”[/blockquote]

There’s a story I quite love, about an old man of generous of spirit, who knelt each morning by the side of the Ganges River – and, in order to offer his prayers for this world.

And though, he was revered by most of the villagers, there were others who thought him to be fool. Why should one man give so much of himself, to a world that would never know the depths of his devotion?

They were convinced his naïveté would bring him harm.

But, every morning (and in spite of their rumblings) – still, he carried on.

Then one day, the old man saw a spider struggling against the rushing waters. And though, he knew the spider to be quite poisonous – still, he helped him anyway.

It was as he was placing the spider safely to the grass, that it turned to deliver a vicious sting.

But, miraculously the old man was unaffected – it seemed his kindness had diluted the spider’s poison.

Day after day, the old man return to pray. And, each day, he saw the very same spider struggling.

And, every day the old man was delivered the same poisonous sting.

“What’s the matter with you?” the spider pleaded, “Can’t you see that I will sting you every time? Because…because, that is what I do.”

“And, this,” the old man smiled in return, “this is what I do.”

The story is about being true to one’s spirit, and…to be genuine in your manifestation of self.

Interestingly enough, there’s a similar story about a frog and a scorpion – though, it’s meaning is quite the opposite, asking us to be ever-mindful of the true nature of others.

Isn’t it amazing how these two stories carry equal spiritual weight? One of caring, and the other of caution?

Perspective determines everything, my darlings.

In recent years, I’ve learned that the truest source of my spiritual bliss – is when I’ve faced the odds, and ‘done it anyway.’

In some ways, this diagnosis has become one of my greatest blessings – as, it forced me to face loss in an entirely different way; unafraid to step into the light of my being.

Oh, sure, I moped and sopped and carried on, but in the end, I realized,

Life goes on.

And, you can either take the reigns, or wallow in your own complaints.

In looking back, perhaps my diagnosis was my ‘spider’ – at first, a threat and then, a reminder.

That we must always carry on, my friends – and, no matter what those ‘spiders’ may say.