Adventure 630: Franz Dome/Post D

 

The sage and her student were standing by a pool discussing longing and ambition.

"What do you want more than anything else?" the sage asked.

"To perfect my ability to love all of creation the way I love myself," the young man replied.

At that moment, the sage tackled the student and shoved his head beneath the water. Accustomed to letting his teacher shape the unpredictable contours of his education, he did not resist.

One minute went by. then another. The student began to struggle and kick. His teacher was strong.

Finally she released her grip and the student surfaced, fighting for breath.

"What did you want more than anything else during these last few minutes?" the sage inquired.

"Nothing else was in my mind except the desire for air," gasped the student.

"Excellent," beamed the sage. "As soon as you are equally single-minded in your desire to perfect your ability to love all of creation the way you love yourself, you will achieve your goal."

Many things take my breath away, but if I'm honest with myself I'm not struggling for air right now. I'm under no real pressure. I keep thinking, though, that if I was living in today's world when I was age twelve, my situation would look and feel very different. When I was twelve, I lived with my mother and three other siblings. Mom, who didn't graduate from high school, made her meager living as a waitress. We lived below the poverty line even when she worked full time, but in today's world, my mother would likely have no job, no money, and no prospects  We'd likely be struggling for survival. It makes me wonder when (or if) this world of ours will ever be fair. As the songsters say, "No justice, no peace." All of this begs the question, "What can I do to help others breathe? What can I do to help their lives be good, especially today. When I become single-minded in that quest, I'll have my answer.

Art shot of the day: Take a look at yourself.

Lucky us: we were to clean out the fridge today.

Rod and Karen's patio is the perfect place to practice the form.

Honestly, I don't see the appeal of flan.

Falson photo of the day: "Come on, PopPops, lighten up."

A truly midwestern treat: sandwich spread-pickles, high fructose corn syrup, vinegar, spices, and some chemically enhanced mayonnaise like substance. Heartland delicious!