life

Thinking Out Loud ~ We May Not Be as Important as We Believe We Are

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Gnat and the Bull. Aesop’s

Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“A Gnat alighted on one of the horns of a Bull, and remained

sitting there for a considerable time. When it had rested

sufficiently and was about to fly away, it said to the Bull, “Do

you mind if I go now?” The Bull merely raised his eyes and

remarked, without interest, “It’s all one to me; I didn’t notice

when you came, and I shan’t know when you go away.”

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Note: One of the observations I’ve had while working in academia is that many professors have an inflated sense of self importance. There were times when I was attending meetings that I thought I was experiencing Dante’s seventh circle of hell. One or two people monopolized the conversations going on and on about something that was important to them but to no one else. Like many academic meetings, the meetings ended with nothing accomplished. People who make a difference are the people we miss when they go away. The gnats, not so much.

Thinking Out Loud ~ Are You Being Duped? Check Out Today’s Aesop’s Fable

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“A Wolf resolved to disguise himself in order that he might prey

upon a flock of sheep without fear of detection. So he clothed

himself in a sheepskin, and slipped among the sheep when they were

out at pasture. He completely deceived the shepherd, and when the

flock was penned for the night he was shut in with the rest. But

that very night as it happened, the shepherd, requiring a supply of

mutton for the table, laid hands on the Wolf in mistake for a

Sheep, and killed him with his knife on the spot.”

 

Note: Some folks consider themselves clever. They believe they’re smarter than everyone else; they believe they can manipulate everyone else. They do, until the people who are being taken advantage of decide enough is enough and confront the situation demanding honesty. It’s not always easy because the clever ones couch their motives as if they are working in our best interests when they are serving their self interests. In the end karma catches up to them. When we measure a person’s words through his/her actions we can see if they are working in our best interests or if they have another scheme afoot. We are not powerless. We don’t have to be duped.

Today’s Poem ~ Iris of Life poem by Zitkála-Šá

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Iris of Life

Zitkála-Šá

Like tiny drops of crystal rain,
       In every life the moments fall,
To wear away with silent beat,
       The shell of selfishness o’er all.

And every act, not one too small,
       That leaps from out the heart’s pure glow,
Like ray of gold sends forth a light,
       While moments into seasons flow.

Athwart the dome, Eternity,
       To Iris grown resplendent, fly
Bright gleams from every noble deed,
       Till colors with each other vie.

’Tis glimpses of this grand rainbow,
       Where moments with good deeds unite,
That gladden many weary hearts,
       Inspiring them to seek more Light.

Today’s Photo ~ Caught in the Moment – Every Moment is Precious

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Make Every Moment Count

Thinking Out Loud ~ A Lesson from Aesop’s Fables about Consequences

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Mistress and Her Servants. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“A Widow, thrifty and industrious, had two servants, whom she

kept pretty hard at work. They were not allowed to lie long abed in

the mornings, but the old lady had them up and doing as soon as the

cock crew. They disliked intensely having to get up at such an

hour, especially in winter-time: and they thought that if it were

not for the cock waking up their Mistress so horribly early, they

could sleep longer. So they caught it and wrung its neck. But they

weren’t prepared for the consequences. For what happened was that

their Mistress, not hearing the cock crow as usual, waked them up

earlier than ever, and set them to work in the middle of the

night.

”

Note: I live near a large park with wilderness trails, warnings of rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, javelinas and more. I do not stray off the created trails. I witnessed a hawk diving toward an open space and snagging a squirrel. Good for the hawk, tough for the squirrel. There are consequences in nature. There are also consequences in our lives. Although we cannot foresee what will happen, we can predict outcomes with a high degree of accuracy. For example, if I continually show up late for work, I’ll be fired. Conversely, if I apply myself and work hard, I’ll succeed. Consequences can be good or bad. We have a choice.

Thinking Out Loud ~ The North Wind and the Sun ~ Wisdom from Aesop’s Fables

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, North Wind and the Sun. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“A dispute arose between the North Wind and the Sun, each

claiming that he was stronger than the other. At last they agreed

to try their powers upon a traveler, to see which could soonest

strip him of his cloak. The North Wind had the first try; and,

gathering up all his force for the attack, he came whirling

furiously down upon the man, and caught up his cloak as though he

would wrest it from him by one single effort: but the harder he

blew, the more closely the man wrapped it round himself. Then came

the turn of the Sun. At first he beamed gently upon the traveler,

who soon unclasped his cloak and walked on with it hanging loosely

about his shoulders: then he shone forth in his full strength, and

the man, before he had gone many steps, was glad to throw his cloak

right off and complete his journey more lightly clad.”

 

Note: We see it all around us. It doesn’t matter where we live. Many believe in the myth that power is better than gentle persuasion. Force may require physical compliance, but it never captures or converts the heart. St. Francis of Assisi said that the best sermons were those preached through one’s actions. Our lives matter and how we act takes on great significance when we realize others are watching us to see if the words we speak align with the actions we take.

Thinking Out Loud – From Aesop’s Fables – All Work is Significant

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Lion and the Mouse. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“A Lion asleep in his lair was waked up by a Mouse running over

his face. Losing his temper he seized it with his paw and was about

to kill it. The Mouse, terrified, piteously entreated him to spare

its life. “Please let me go,” it cried, “and one day I will repay

you for your kindness.” The idea of so insignificant a creature

ever being able to do anything for him amused the Lion so much that

he laughed aloud, and good-humoredly let it go. But the Mouse’s

chance came, after all. One day the Lion got entangled in a net

which had been spread for game by some hunters, and the Mouse heard

and recognized his roars of anger and ran to the spot. Without more

ado it set to work to gnaw the ropes with its teeth, and succeeded

before long in setting the Lion free. “There!” said the Mouse, “you

laughed at me when I promised I would repay you: but now you see,

even a Mouse can help a Lion.”

 Note: We need each other.  Our work may seem insignificant, but it’s not. All work is honorable and significant. My mom worked in a shoe shop for much of her adult life. She worked piece-time, e.g., she was paid by how many pieces she could process in a day. Somewhere on our planet someone was wearing shoes that she contributed in small part to their making. My dad worked in shoe shops, tended bar, and worked as a custodian. All three jobs may appear insignificant, but each job brought benefit to other people. The work you do is significant. Honor it, be grateful for it.

Feel Good Tip ~ Gaining Perspective and a Sense of Peace

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I can be impatient, especially when I know I’m right and everyone else is wrong – yikes, that’s a self admission. When we let go of having to be right and inflexible and choose to watch how things play out, we gain perspective and a greater sense of peace. If you get stuck in the loop of having to be right, imagine yourself at a ball game. Sure, you’re rooting for your team, but your also watching the game play out.

Today’s Health Quiz

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Today’s Healthy Lifestyle Quiz

Do You Know the Answer? 

QUIZ START

Feel Good Tip ~ A Recipe for a Great Day

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What’s on the menu? I hope having a great day is today’s special. Much like a great meal, a great day takes effort. It doesn’t happen until we decide to add all the special ingredients. These are the ingredients I put into my great day: (Hint:add generously)  smiles, gratitude, kindnesses, reaching out to speak/connect to others, reading and viewing things that make me feel better. My great day just got greater writing this post.

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