“She had blue skin,
And so did he.
He kept it hid
And so did she.
They searched for blue
Their whole life through,
Then passed right by-
And never knew.”
― Shel Silverstein
searching
Are You Searching?
“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something.” ~ J. R. R. Tolkien
Thinking Out Loud: Never Quit, It Will Work Out
Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Lewis Carroll’s work, Alice in Wonderland. Alice in Wonderland is available for free download from Project Gutenberg here.
“There were doors all round the hall, but they were all locked; and when Alice had been all the way down one side and up the other, trying every door, she walked sadly “down the middle, wondering how she was ever to get out again. Suddenly she came upon a little three-legged table, all made of solid glass; there was nothing on it except a tiny golden key, and Alice’s first thought was that it might belong to one of the doors of the hall; but, alas! either the locks were too large, or the key was too small, but at any rate it would not open any of them. However, on the second time round, she came upon a low curtain she had not noticed before, and behind it was a little door about fifteen inches high: she tried the little golden key in the lock, and to her great delight it fitted!”
Note: There are times in life when we face a choice to give up or continue struggling uncertain of the outcome. In our story, Alice could have sat down and cried hoping someone would rescue her. Instead, Alice kept on seeking a way through. In the midst of our trials, when we refuse to give up, suddenly the answers appear. We find our way through. Has it ever happened to you? It has to me, multiple times. For me, it was the answer to prayers. It was as though I had to make a good faith effort and not quit before my prayers were answered. Sometimes they were answered in ways I wanted. Sometimes in ways I didn’t understand; but, in hindsight, I knew they were the perfect answers.
Inspirational Quote for Today ~ What Do You Really Want?
As a rule, we find what we look for;
we achieve what we get ready for.
Thinking Out Loud
Beginning today I am reading and thinking about Leo Tolstoy’s short story, Three Questions.
It’s available free at gutenberg.org included in the broader title, What Men Live By, And Other Tales. Tolstoy was a Russian writer and philosopher. His best know works include “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina.”
Tolstoy began his short story, Three Questions, “It once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid; and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake.”
Note: Tolstoy’s tale begins with a king’s search for wisdom. The king begins his adventure. Each of us, in some way, initiate this adventure each day if we are awake. If we are awake we can search for wisdom in the events, people, and circumstances of our lives. We discover wisdom in the present moment through the interactions we have with all the goings on in our life.
Today’s Poem ~ Sit Smiling
Sit Smiling
Rabindranath Tagore
I boasted among men that I had known you.
They see your pictures in all works of mine.
They come and ask me, `Who is he?’
I know not how to answer them. I say, `Indeed, I cannot tell.’
They blame me and they go away in scorn.
And you sit there smiling. I put my tales of you into lasting songs.
The secret gushes out from my heart.
They come and ask me, `Tell me all your meanings.’
I know not how to answer them.
I say, `Ah, who knows what they mean!’
They smile and go away in utter scorn.
And you sit there smiling.
They see your pictures in all works of mine.
They come and ask me, `Who is he?’
I know not how to answer them. I say, `Indeed, I cannot tell.’
They blame me and they go away in scorn.
And you sit there smiling. I put my tales of you into lasting songs.
The secret gushes out from my heart.
They come and ask me, `Tell me all your meanings.’
I know not how to answer them.
I say, `Ah, who knows what they mean!’
They smile and go away in utter scorn.
And you sit there smiling.
The Song of Creation ~ Anonymous
The Song of Creation
Then there was neither Aught nor Nought, no air nor sky beyond.
What covered all? Where rested all? In watery gulf profound?
Nor death was then, nor deathlessness, nor change of night and day.
That One breathed calmly, self-sustained; nought else beyond it lay.
Gloom hid in gloom existed first – one sea, eluding view.
That One, a void in chaos wrapt, by inward fervour grew.
Within it first arose desire, the primal germ of mind,
Which nothing with existence links, as sages searching find.
The kindling ray that shot across the dark and drear abyss-
Was it beneath? or high aloft? What bard can answer this?
There fecundating powers were found, and mighty forces strove-
A self-supporting mass beneath, and energy above.
Who knows, who ever told, from whence this vast creation rose?
No gods had then been born – who then can e’er the truth disclose?
Whence sprang this world, and whether framed by hand divine or no-
Its lord in heaven alone can tell, if even he can show.
– Anon
New Story, ‘Searching for Dad,’ Begins in 6 Days
A New Story
Searching For Dad
Begins in 6 Days
Poem by Tolkien ~ Lessons on Life
Poem by Tolkien
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”
