Posts by Pat:
Remember Forrest Gump?
Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven and is met by St. Peter himself at the Pearly Gates. But the gates are closed.
St. Peter says, “Well, Forrest, it’s certainly good to see you. I must tell you though that the place is filling up fast and we’ve been administering an entrance exam for everyone. The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven.”
Forrest responds, “It shor is good to be here, St. Peter, sir. But nobody ever tolt me about any exam. Shor hope the test ain’t too hard; life was a big enough test as it was.”
St. Peter goes on, “Yes I know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions:
- First, what two days of the week begin with the letter T?
- Second, how many seconds are there in a year?
- Third, What is God’s first name?”
Forrest says, “Well, the first one-which two days in the week begin with the letter T- is easy. That’s Today and Tomorrow.”
The Saint’s eyes open wide and he exclaims, “Forrest, that’s not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I didn’t specify, so I’ll give you credit for that answer. How about the next one?”
“Now that one’s harder,” says Forrest, “but I thunk and thunk about it and I guess the only answer can be twelve.”
Confounded, St. Peter says “Twelve? How in Heaven’s name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?”
Forrest says, “Shucks, there’s gotta be twelve: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd…”
“Hold it,” interrupts St. Peter. “I see your point, though that wasn’t quite what I had in mind…but I’ll have to give you credit for that one too.”
“Can you tell me God’s first name?”
“Sure,” Forrest replied. “It’s Andy. Shucks, that was the eeasiest one of all.”
“I learnt it from the song…’ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME ANDY TELLS I AM HIS OWN…”
And St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates and said” “Run, Forrest, run.”
Very often there is more than one right answer to a question. It all depends on how we see things. And Forrest’s peculiar but somehow brilliant mindset reminds us that perhaps someone else just have a different reality than ours! (Maybe even during an election year?)
The day after…
Politics! Politics! Politics! Why were we so cranky? Could it be overload? Is it that “enough” had become “more than enough?” Is that why we were so quick to snap at a family member or co-worker when the conversation turned to the election? Maybe it’s because: After all, for most of us it has felt […]
Remember this Zen story?
Words matter, even when they are few! A man joined a monastery in which the monks were allowed to speak only two words every seven years. After the first seven years had passed, the new initiate met with the abbot who asked him, “Well, what are your two words?” “Food’s bad,” replied the man, who […]
Remember this old saying?
There’s a fable behind the phrase “this too shall pass” which has origins in Sufi and Hebrew folklore that feels like deep wisdom to me. I hope this story anchors it for you too. One day King Solomon asked Benaiah Ben Yehoyada, his most trusted minister, “Benaiah, there is a certain ring that I want […]
What’s YOUR perspective?
Once there was a person who wanted to relocate to a new village. Wondering if he’d like his new town, he went to consult the Zen master, “Do you think I will like this new village? Are the people nice?” The Zen master asked: “How were the people in the town where you come from?” […]
Pessimistic squirrels?!
Nooo! I don’t want to believe it! I’ve prided myself on being an optimist! And I just know that it is good for me to think optimistically!! But… research published by the American Psychological Association showed that pessimists, because of their penchant for seeing life through a grim lens, take steps to improve their health […]
Are we asking the wrong questions?
Asking “why” is often the wrong question. Of course we know our brain loves to solve problems and can figure out how to make a pumpkin pie, sail across oceans, or build a house. It is a wonderful tool for problem solving and creativity. But… when we are trying to understand ourselves, to find a […]
Stuff happens.
I am not the only one. You are not the only one. We are not the only ones to experience stress, difficulty, frustration and painful experiences. What happens to me or you happens to ALL of us. There is no conspiracy against us. We are not the laboratory rats of the universe. My age may […]
Our struggles can serve us…
An interesting thought from spiritual author and teacher Marrianne Williamson: “In order to create their beautiful plumage, peacocks sometimes eat thorns. Hard, pointed, razor-like objects are processed in their abdomens and then contribute to feathers with colors and shapes unmatched throughout nature for their extraordinary beauty.” She continued saying…”So it is with us. Often that […]
What is enough?
What is enough? Saying that “I am enough” or that “I have enough” or even that “I’ve done enough” often sounds like I’m settling for less than I could be, have, or do. (And probably isn’t even the truth!) We could consider the option of replacing the word “enough” with the word “plenty.” Notice the […]