Into Solitude

 

On a leafless branch

A crow's settling

autumn nightfall

               - Basho

Basho's Haiku investigates the value of a singular moment. 

In Japanese, the word sabi describes an alloy of beauty and sadness. Sabishi expresses loneliness and solitude. An essence of impermanence pervades his observation.

What does alone feel like?  Notice if sensations of impermanence percolate.  

Define words like loneliness, freedom, or solitude.

Develop metaphor and sensory imagery.

Invite the reader into a moment of solitude.

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Discover Contentment

 

A great fire burns within me, but no one stops to warm themselves at it, and passers-by only see a wisp of smoke.  - Vincent Van Gogh  

True contentment ignites from the inside out, regardless of the audience. 

Self-esteem kindles and nourishes beyond the insecurities of narcissism.

Arrows of awareness fire toward the bull's eye of balance.




Life's opportunities often surprise within an ember's smoke.




A smile lights the process.

Gifts of kindness and generosity glow with actions to reveal them.




We possess ways to trigger power and intensity to accomplish our goals.







A sense of humor enlightens during stressful events. 

Victories in daily life need flames of applause from the interior first. Then we can share the knowledge gained. 

Discover contentment.

A Foible Fable

 

A water bearer in India had two large pots. Each hung on the end of a pole he carried across his neck.  One pot had a crack and the other pot always delivered a full portion of water at the end of his walk from the stream to the master's house.

The cracked pot arrived only half full.  For two years the bearer delivered only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house.  The perfect pot was proud but the poor cracked pot felt ashamed of its imperfection and miserable it could only accomplish half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of its bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer.  "I am ashamed and want to apologize to you."

"What are you ashamed of?" asked the water bearer.

"I have been able to deliver only half my load because the crack in my side causes water to escape. You do all this work and don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The bearer smiled as he said, "As we return to the master's house I want you to notice the flowers along the path."

The old cracked pot looked and noticed the wild flowers in rainbow colors on a side of the path.

The water bearer said, "Did you notice the flowers are only on your side not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known your flaw.  I took advantage of it and planted seeds.  Every day while we walked back from the stream, you've watered the seeds.  For two years I have been able to place them on the master's table.  Without you he would not have this treasure to grace his house."

SMILE.  It's the cracks and flaws we have that make our lives together so rewarding and different.  We have to take each person for his or her possibilities and help them move beyond their flaws.

Light shines through our cracks. Blessed are the flexible for they will not be bent out of shape.