“People should be nice to each other.” - Jerry Garcia
I was recently watching a television show in which a woman has some wisdom, and two suitors.
Sometimes I find life’s lessons in some very unexpected places. As the Sufi saying goes, “Seek knowledge even in China”. (This is from a time when China took many years of travel to visit, and little about it was known).
My thoughts these days sometimes compare the experiences that life puts in front of me to a chess game, in that careful contemplation and consideration might lead one to a better possible outcome.
The suitors in this case were both handsome and intelligent, and did not seem to exhibit anger, harmfulness, deceit, or lack of good taste, and both exhibited some human frailties.
One of them, in the course of his life, recently exhibited in his decisions examples of compassion.
The other seemed to exhibit much achievement in many areas, and had lived through many adventures, but had not so far evidenced examples of compassion for others.
The question that presents itself is, which would she choose?
As in the story of the two wolves that reside in each of us, one is gentle, friendly, and caring, and the other is aggressive, selfish, and sometimes mean.
When the child asks the elder which one would win the battle that takes place within each of us, the elder responds: “The one that we feed.”.
In life situations, we don’t always know which one will win, but I’m rooting for the one with compassion.
We feed it by practicing things like generosity, both to strengthen that habit in ourselves and to be a role model for others.
The reason that this works is that when our actions (and not just our words) foster and nurture the world around us they add meaning and some joy to our lives.
This creates something that others seek and want a part of, and sometimes brings us support and nurture from some unexpected places.
That is, It’s a Blessing, both for ourselves and others.
Namaste,
Daniel
