I am having a slow, lazy, procrastinating day. I cannot motivate myself. I know if I get up from this chair I will find twenty things that NEED to be done. If I stay in this chair, and turn away from the computer there will be another gross of things to be done in the office. I don’t want to do any of it. But I will… I think I’m going to start by putting the whites in the dryer, and then going out to work in the garden for an hour or two.
This morning, in the comments at L.A.Times Crossword Corner blog, one of the readers posted the parable of Leshon HaRa (I think I have that right.). Essentially it’s the story which shows that harsh words, once spoken, can never be taken back. When I was in fifth grade, I had an amazing teacher, and she stopped one day to share this lesson with us. I was left with an image of harsh words, like musical notes, flying from my mouth, never to be recaptured. That image has stayed with me lo these many years. I truly try to muzzle myself when I’d really rather speak my mind. I don’t always succeed, but I’ve gotten better at it. In the parable, the rabbi tells the unkind person, who wishes to repent, to open a feather pillow and shake out all the feathers. When he has, the rabbi tells him to now collect each of the feathers and put them back in the pillow. When he objects, and says it is an impossible job, the rabbi likens it to trying to take back harsh words.
There are too many harsh words in the world. Just too many. I believe that we have shifted from people who care about their community, to people who only care for themselves, and I hope that pendulum swings back, soon!
This same fifth grade teacher also talked one day about intentions. She said intentions were good, as long as you follow through on them. Otherwise, the best of intentions is worthless. I recall that she used this example: “I was going to take the garbage out.” She made her point in a way that suited a ten year old mind, and stuck!
My intentions for the day are to make my bed, empty and refill the dishwasher, start another load of laundry, water the inside plants, and the outside plants, work in the gardens, and work in the office. I also have to take Ed for a vet visit, this afternoon.
So, I’m going to sign off, and wish you a wonderful Monday, while I go turn intentions into gold.
Arrrgh!!!
It's just my state of mind!
My, you are feeling reflective, even philosophical, today!
“I believe that we have shifted from people who care about their community, to people who only care for themselves.”
Me too. I’m unsure how things are going to change though. I feel I’m surrounded by people who just want to take, take, take.
Even those people (generally older people) who used to be very generous in giving their time to others now seem to want to know what’s in it for them before they agree to do something for others.
It makes me feel very uneasy about the future. Everyone seems to know the cost of everything and the Value of nothing these days.
I agree, B.W. I have not studied enough social science to know what needs to occur for that sense of community to occur. I wonder if this is a phenomenon from the first half of the 1900s?
I read someplace that much of our “me first” attitude may come from there being so many people out there – that we value “things” that are scarce. When we were rubbing shoulders so much, we valued those whom we did know.
I’ve made conflicting observations on this: the people of China and India do not strike me as having the “me first” penchant to the extent that we do (although, without living there how could I know?) On the other hand, some (not all!) of my co-workers from the Netherlands, India, Mexico, Iran, and Malasia seemed to be intent upon milking the system in the USA, to their own advantage.
Great “wisdom” from this old woman: People are people. There are givers and there are takers. It has ever been thus. I gotta deal with it!
Yup…I’m sure you’re right, Cop Car. There are givers and takers, and there always have been. Thanks for weighing in on the subject, oh, wise one. *G*
Buffy–Let’s see if I can keep a straight face while writing this: it hurts me to the core that giggling should be induced in my dear friend at the mere thought that I might be wise. Boo hoo.
Obviously, there was a typo in the second sentence of the first paragraph in my previous comment. It should have read, “When we were NOT rubbing shoulders so much, we valued those whom we did know.”
“On the other hand, some (not all!) of my co-workers from the Netherlands, India, Mexico, Iran, and Malasia seemed to be intent upon milking the system in the USA, to their own advantage.”
I’m glad they don’t only try it on in the UK 🙂
Mind you, our welfare and health systems are rather more generous than yours, as our our borders and entry requirements…
Hi there. Quick question for you, I made your chili sauce today, thanks for the recipe. My sauce has turned out quite vinegary(?) Any suggestions about where I screwed up?? Also the recipe shows little squares for amounts under cloves and salt, what were the amounts? Is one cup of sugar correct?
Thanks for your time, Michelle