Pain

The other day I was out in my yard, digging and pulling, sweeping and watering. I was feeling tired, but accomplished, when I felt a twinge of pain between my toes. Thinking it was just an ant, I reached down to wipe it off and squish it to death, and instead I got a thistle stuck in my finger.

It made me think. I was reacting as if to an ant biting me, when it was just a thistle. I ended up in pain, when I could have instead assessed the situation and reacted in a way to take care of it easily and painlessly. How often do I react to people based on the immediate feeling I get instead of taking the time to actually see them and see their needs and where they are coming from. How often to I end up getting hurt because I've reacted to someone based on perception and prejudice instead of seeing the person for who they are and what they're going through.

Curdie and the Princess

This is just an update and explanation of my absence. My mom is here visiting (and taking care of me). She has been here for a week, and will be here for another week. I doubt I will be posting until after my mother has returned to Canada. Needless to say, I am grateful  that my mother is here.
One part of her visit that I have really enjoyed is "Curdie and the Princess". This is a phenomenally written fantasy, one of George Macdonald's best. If you enjoy quick reads, fantasy, adventure, principles and values, this is a great book. Mom found this treasure at the thrift store, and it can be found online too. It's written for kids, but it has so many underlying themes and is so well written, that it kept my mom and I looking forward to our afternoon reading rests.