ErosOcean Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 This is a story of a monk that was building a temple. Back in those days the monks did everything. They were the plumber, the electrician, the carpenter, and the general manager. They laid down everything by hand - which is not an easy task. Well this one monk was assigned to build a side of the wall for the temple. He was a diligent worker and was quite a perfectionist. What should've taken only a few weeks to build, it took this monk a few months to finish the wall. And after he was finished, he inspected the wall for any flaws. To his disappointment, he found two bricks that were not perfect. And being a perfectionist he couldn't stand for anything less than perfect. So he went to the abbot and asked if he could tear down the wall and redo it again. But the abbot looking at the wall, turned to him, and said, "Young monk, it is good enough." The monk couldn't argue with the abbot. But still, he couldn't stop thinking about those two imperfect bricks. For three months, this monk couldn't sleep, and he began to falter in his duties and he started to get very depressed. Then one day, a young girl came to the temple and was standing at the very wall that the monk had built. Upon looking at the wall she exclaimed with wonder that it was a beautiful wall. Standing nearby the monk heard her and asked, "How is it beautiful? Can you not see the two imperfect bricks?" The little girl, glancing at the monk, smiled and replied... "Yes, I see the two imperfect bricks, but I can also see the other 414 beautiful perfect bricks." ..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
ooglesnboogles Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 But, but, but... there were two imperfect ones! Link to post Share on other sites
pie2 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 The little girl, glancing at the monk, smiled and replied... "Yes, I see the two imperfect bricks, but I can also see the other 414 beautiful perfect bricks." That is such a great picture of how we get caught up with discontentments in this life. And how age doesn't always make us wiser. The bible says, "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). It's a good thing to be able to humble ourselves, and take a lesson from someone we might not think knows anything about life. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 This is a story of a monk that was building a temple. Back in those days the monks did everything. They were the plumber, the electrician, the carpenter, and the general manager. They laid down everything by hand - which is not an easy task. Well this one monk was assigned to build a side of the wall for the temple. He was a diligent worker and was quite a perfectionist. What should've taken only a few weeks to build, it took this monk a few months to finish the wall. And after he was finished, he inspected the wall for any flaws. To his disappointment, he found two bricks that were not perfect. And being a perfectionist he couldn't stand for anything less than perfect. So he went to the abbot and asked if he could tear down the wall and redo it again. But the abbot looking at the wall, turned to him, and said, "Young monk, it is good enough." The monk couldn't argue with the abbot. But still, he couldn't stop thinking about those two imperfect bricks. For three months, this monk couldn't sleep, and he began to falter in his duties and he started to get very depressed. Then one day, a young girl came to the temple and was standing at the very wall that the monk had built. Upon looking at the wall she exclaimed with wonder that it was a beautiful wall. Standing nearby the monk heard her and asked, "How is it beautiful? Can you not see the two imperfect bricks?" The little girl, glancing at the monk, smiled and replied... "Yes, I see the two imperfect bricks, but I can also see the other 414 beautiful perfect bricks." ..... this is a keeper..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
aMguilts Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 this is a keeper..... agree:) no one is perfect aM 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Ross MwcFan Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 agree:) no one is perfect aM Do you actually believe that in your avatar? Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Four monks are travelling on foot to reach a specific beach - a holy place, a place of pilgrimage. They need to get there by sun-up to practice meditation at the appointed moment... Finally, after a gruelling journey, tired and footsore, they arrive - only to find their way to the beach, impeded by a wide tract of stones - some big, some small, many jagged, sharp and of awkward shape. They look, in dismay. “This will tear our feet to shreds, before we reach the soft, white, fine sand!” cries the first. “Quick! we must send back message to the monastery to send us as many rolls of cloth as possible - the monks don't need robes right now - but we can portion the cloths into small pieces to wrap the stones in, one by one, and then they won't hurt our feet!” The second exclaims – “Are you mad?!? No, we must send back message to the monastery to send us hammers and chisels - we are not carving any statues right now - and we will take the sharp stones, and knock off all the painful, sharp jagged edges, smooth them over, and make them more comfortable to walk on!” The third monk scoffs – “Crazy idea, my brother! That will take forever! No, we must send back message to the monastery to send us as many prayer mats as possible - perhaps the monks can spare them - and we can lay them over the stones, so that we do not see them, and we cannot therefore be hurt by them....!” The fourth monk is silent for a moment, and looks at the other three monks, then quietly asks – “...Why don't we just put our sandals back on?” 2 Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 A wise man stood on a stage, before a packed auditorium and told a good joke. he brought the house down. When the laughter died down, he told the same joke. A few people laughed, unsure..... Then he told the same joke a third time. Nobody laughed. So then, he said: "You do not laugh about the same thing, over and over again. Why then, do you keep crying about the same thing, over and over again?" 1 Link to post Share on other sites
aMguilts Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Do you actually believe that in your avatar? yes i do i`m not a quitter i`m not stupid Im the smartest dumbest person you will ever meet ross aM Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Im the smartest dumbest person you will ever meet ross aM Nah. I've met a few and you're nowhere near..... Link to post Share on other sites
aMguilts Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 A wise man stood on a stage, before a packed auditorium and told a good joke. he brought the house down. When the laughter died down, he told the same joke. A few people laughed, unsure..... Then he told the same joke a third time. Nobody laughed. So then, he said: "You do not laugh about the same thing, over and over again. Why then, do you keep crying about the same thing, over and over again?" its a form of rubbernecking its human nature to look on and `see` a trainwreck or a car crash It`s primeval. We feel the `need` to look on and make sure noone is hurt or in distress seen the witches of eastwick? The bit when Jack Nicholson was snoring his head off and then he rose and went forward clapping? THAT is how we should react to anything That is the complete opposite of rubbernecking aM Link to post Share on other sites
aMguilts Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Nah. I've met a few and you're nowhere near..... i was replying to ross aM Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 And I replied to you. No law against it, is there....? Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 This is a screwed-up and crazy world... Things are here for us to use. People are here for us to love. Instead, we end up loving things, and using people...... Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 its a form of rubbernecking its human nature to look on and `see` a trainwreck or a car crash It`s primeval. We feel the `need` to look on and make sure noone is hurt or in distress seen the witches of eastwick? The bit when Jack Nicholson was snoring his head off and then he rose and went forward clapping? THAT is how we should react to anything That is the complete opposite of rubbernecking aM yes...thanks..... You see, the point of this thread, is that these are allegorical stories. That is, they don't require commentary, because they're self-explanatory. You're 'preaching to the choir' anyway....... Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Four monks are travelling on foot to reach a specific beach - a holy place, a place of pilgrimage. They need to get there by sun-up to practice meditation at the appointed moment... Finally, after a gruelling journey, tired and footsore, they arrive - only to find their way to the beach, impeded by a wide tract of stones - some big, some small, many jagged, sharp and of awkward shape. They look, in dismay. “This will tear our feet to shreds, before we reach the soft, white, fine sand!” cries the first. “Quick! we must send back message to the monastery to send us as many rolls of cloth as possible - the monks don't need robes right now - but we can portion the cloths into small pieces to wrap the stones in, one by one, and then they won't hurt our feet!” The second exclaims – “Are you mad?!? No, we must send back message to the monastery to send us hammers and chisels - we are not carving any statues right now - and we will take the sharp stones, and knock off all the painful, sharp jagged edges, smooth them over, and make them more comfortable to walk on!” The third monk scoffs – “Crazy idea, my brother! That will take forever! No, we must send back message to the monastery to send us as many prayer mats as possible - perhaps the monks can spare them - and we can lay them over the stones, so that we do not see them, and we cannot therefore be hurt by them....!” The fourth monk is silent for a moment, and looks at the other three monks, then quietly asks – “...Why don't we just put our sandals back on?” there should be a love button for posts.....this gave me the biggest smile.....thanks tara....deb Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 A young boy returns home from school, and enters his father's workshop. His father is a carpenter and a joiner, and he is busy at work, making a chair.... His son storms in, in a foul mood, and angrily throws his satchel on the floor. He then slumps down onto onbe of the new chairs his father has made. His father stops the lathe, puts down his chisel, takes off his googles and quietly begins, "Good afternoon, son. Well, how was YOUR day?" "Dad, " retorts the boy, "I hate school! I hate those boys! They're always picking on me! Bunch of morons! They're idiots! I can't stand them! I wish I could beat them up, they're idiots!" And he kicks a small lump of wood across the room. His father takes a deep breath. "Ok. Look, why don't you take your satchel into the house, say hello to your mother, change your clothes and come back in here with me. I think it's time you distracted yourself a bit, and made that wooden bowl for Mother's day, don't you?" The boy agrees, and still sulking, he picks up his satchel and dejectedly walks into the house. A few moments later, he returns, and under his father's watchful eye, he begins to fashion a large block of beechwood, into a beautifully turned wooden fruit bowl. An hour or so later, he and his father are admiring the bowl, which now polished, is glowing beautifully with a dull shine.... "How did you make the bowl?" Asks his father, after a moment. The boy looks at him, in surprise. "Well you just watched me....." "Yes, but humour me. Describe the process......" continues his dad. Well, I took a large block of wood, secured it in the lathe, then took a chisel, and began to slowly make the shape of the bowl....." "Yes..... carry on.... describe it......" "Well," continued the boy, still puzzled.... "I knocked off all the rough bits, then took another chisel, and began to apply a pattern.... then another round-blade chisel, and I hollowed out the bowl.....Then finally, trimmed it and planed the lip off..... then took it off the lathe, and smoothed it with the sander..... then brushed it to remove the sawdust and rubbed it with oil.... then sanded it a bit more..... the applied wax....." "Exactly." Said his father quietly. "See, you're like that block of wood. You're still a man in the making. Your mom and I care for you and nurture you, but those boys at school? They're the chisels, and the sandpaper. Treatment like that makes you who you are. Life's hard knocks determine our character. Oh, your mom and I will oil and polish you, rub you up until you shine and make you better.... But without those chisels, to really bring out the best in you, we wouldn't really be doing you much good.... Life is full of chisels. Use them to make you into something wonderful. Don't stay a block of wood, son. Be the bowl." 1 Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 A young boy returns home from school, and enters his father's workshop. His father is a carpenter and a joiner, and he is busy at work, making a chair.... His son storms in, in a foul mood, and angrily throws his satchel on the floor. He then slumps down onto onbe of the new chairs his father has made. His father stops the lathe, puts down his chisel, takes off his googles and quietly begins, "Good afternoon, son. Well, how was YOUR day?" "Dad, " retorts the boy, "I hate school! I hate those boys! They're always picking on me! Bunch of morons! They're idiots! I can't stand them! I wish I could beat them up, they're idiots!" And he kicks a small lump of wood across the room. His father takes a deep breath. "Ok. Look, why don't you take your satchel into the house, say hello to your mother, change your clothes and come back in here with me. I think it's time you distracted yourself a bit, and made that wooden bowl for Mother's day, don't you?" The boy agrees, and still sulking, he picks up his satchel and dejectedly walks into the house. A few moments later, he returns, and under his father's watchful eye, he begins to fashion a large block of beechwood, into a beautifully turned wooden fruit bowl. An hour or so later, he and his father are admiring the bowl, which now polished, is glowing beautifully with a dull shine.... "How did you make the bowl?" Asks his father, after a moment. The boy looks at him, in surprise. "Well you just watched me....." "Yes, but humour me. Describe the process......" continues his dad. Well, I took a large block of wood, secured it in the lathe, then took a chisel, and began to slowly make the shape of the bowl....." "Yes..... carry on.... describe it......" "Well," continued the boy, still puzzled.... "I knocked off all the rough bits, then took another chisel, and began to apply a pattern.... then another round-blade chisel, and I hollowed out the bowl.....Then finally, trimmed it and planed the lip off..... then took it off the lathe, and smoothed it with the sander..... then brushed it to remove the sawdust and rubbed it with oil.... then sanded it a bit more..... the applied wax....." "Exactly." Said his father quietly. "See, you're like that block of wood. You're still a man in the making. Your mom and I care for you and nurture you, but those boys at school? They're the chisels, and the sandpaper. Treatment like that makes you who you are. Life's hard knocks determine our character. Oh, your mom and I will oil and polish you, rub you up until you shine and make you better.... But without those chisels, to really bring out the best in you, we wouldn't really be doing you much good.... Life is full of chisels. Use them to make you into something wonderful. Don't stay a block of wood, son. Be the bowl." luv it plus ten fruit bowls Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 This - I love. Autobiography in 5 chapters (quoted in "The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying") 1) I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost.....I am Hopeless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. 2) I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I'm in the same place. But it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out. 3) I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in......it's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately. 4) I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it. 5) I walk down another street. Portia Nelson 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. The wound will heal. But stab a man through with unkind words, and it won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the remnant of the wound is still there." 1 Link to post Share on other sites
aMguilts Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 And I replied to you. No law against it, is there....? depend on whatever the mods moods are i guess tara:love: aM 1 Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Faw Shaw, faw Shaw.....! Link to post Share on other sites
aMguilts Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 metaphorically speaking of course just in case there are any mods listening aM 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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