In
a little town far, far away, there was a little old woman whose years
were beyond counting. This old woman was famous as a wise
story-teller ~ and many would make the trip to this little secluded
place, just to ask for her advice.
One day, a young woman, her beautiful face twisted
by sadness and tears, approached the old story-teller.
“May I ask a question?” she asked her, as they sat in the
market square.
It was a quiet, early morning, and only they were there.
“Of course, child,” said the story-teller as she carefully marked
her place in her book.
“Tell me, what brings such hurt to your eyes.”
“My problem,” said the young woman painfully, “is that I am
good-for-nothing, I just don't ~ fit in with anything. I”ve tried
so many careers ~ and wasn't suitable for any of them.”
The wise old woman slowly nods and stokes her pipe.
“I've lived in many places and never did I feel I belonged.”
The old woman smiles.
“I've dated many men but have never found my true love.
I've....
“Let me stop you there,” said the story-teller, lifting a hand to
halt the onslaught of worried words, “and tell you a story. Isn't
that why you came here?” She smiled and took a puff on her pipe.
“It may surprise you, perhaps hard to even imagine looking at this
old face, but a long time ago, I was in a similar situation as yours.
I too felt different to everyone else ~ and nowhere did I seem to
belong. But I did not have a wise old story-teller to ask for
advice; and so, I went on a long journey to find the answer that my
soul sought. Long indeed, was the journey.
“I crossed streams and rivers...hiked up hills and mountains...
found forgotten places...and wondrous creatures and men...
but never did an answer I find....until one day!...”
“On that day, whle walking through a field next to a village;
there was a little brick wall, perhaps 5 foot tall, next to a little
house. What caught my eye were three archery practising targets on
the wall~ and in the exact ''bullseye' of each of them was an arrow,
stuck as firmly as could be.”
The old lady stopped for a little puff on her pipe
while the young lady did a little jig of impatience with her feet.
“In all my journeys, I have seen many great archers, so I know it
to be a hard discipline. I was amazed to find such talent at such a
humble place. Then I noticed a little girl peeking at me from the
cottage door. Come, I bade her and she did. And I asked her, Dear
Child, do you know who is the archer who put these arrows in those
targets? She blushed and answered that she was the archer.
“I was even more amazed and asked her how she became such an
extraordinary shot at such a young age. She blushed further and in a
whispering voice, admitted that she had stuck the arrows in the wall
and then painted the targets around them....”
The old woman chuckled softly while the young woman made a puzzled
face.
“I don't understand...”
“That was the moment I learned about the essence of things, my
child.
“You cannot find a place to own you, before you own yourself.
You must recognize who YOU are ...and build a place around you that
suits you. In other words, find what you truly wish and build a life
around it. Make life work itself around you ~ instead of trying to
find where you belong. Perhaps the place you belong to, is a place
you are yet to create.
The young woman thanked her for her wisdom...dried her eyes...
straightened her back...and walked purposely away.
We can all learn a lot from that old woman's tale.
Stop
and Think
Recently, Dilu forwarded to me essential guidelines to engage a
healthier and happier life. As an agenda, akin to lighthouses along
rocky shores, there are 'lights' that will guide us safely
to embark on a successful and fulfilling life.
“Time has a way of moving quickly and catching us unaware of the
passing years.”
It seems just yesterday that I was young and embarking on my new
life ~ and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived
them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then with all my hopes
and dreams. But, here it is: the winter of my life and it catches me
by by surprise...how did it get here so fast? Where did the years go?
Where did my youth go?
“I remember seeing older people through the years ~ and thinking
that those older people were years away from me ~ and that winter was
so far off, that I could not fathom or imagine fully what it would be
like. But here it is! My friends are retired and getting gray...they
move slower and I see an older person now...some are in better and
some in worse shape than me...but I see a great change! Not like the
ones I remember who were young and vibrant...but like me, their age
is beginning to show...and we are now those older folks that we used
to see...and never thought we would be!
Each day now, I find that just like getting a shower
is a real target for the day!
And taking a nap is not a treat anymore: it's mandatory!
Cause, if I don't on my own free will ~ I just fall asleep where I
sit!
And so ~ now I enter into this new season of my life, unprepared for
all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go
and do things that I wish I had done, but never did!
But, this I know ~ that when it's over on this earth, it's NOT over.
A new adventure will begin!
So, if you're not in your 'winter' yet, let me remind you, that it
will be here, faster than you think. So whatever you would like to
accomplish in your life, please do it timely! Don't put things off
too long!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be
sure whether this is your 'winter' or not! You have no promise that
you will see all the seasons of your life ~ so live for today and say
all the things that you want your loved ones to remember ~ and hope
that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have
done for them in all the years past.
Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life, is your gift
to those
who come after. Make it a fantastic one!
Live it well! Enjoy today! Do something Fun! Be Happy! Have a
Great Day!
Remember: It is health, that is real wealth and not pieces of
gold and silver.
Lastly, consider the following: “Today is the oldest you've ever
been,
yet the youngest you'll ever be! So, enjoy this day while it
lasts!”
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind of Winter, Yours is ~ or Going to Be!
That Tells What Kind of Winter, Yours is ~ or Going to Be!
Enjoy life before 'winter'!
(Author Unknown re the foregoing)
Merle Baird-Kerr...written May 23, 2019
To comment: mbairdkerr@bell.net
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