BUDDHA OF MY BACKYARD

I think I must be a tree hugger. I am of course a
product of the 60's but in the last few days I have been thinking about how alienated some people have become to nature, including myself.
We walk on pavements and go lots of places in a car and spend less and less time on natural surfaces such as earth and grass. I must be having my mid-life crisis- trying to make sense of my own mortality(wow- that sounded good)or perhaps I just have too much time on my hands. I am definitely thinking too much. Next you'll find me writing letters to save woodland and in support of wind farms - oops too late-Done That!
Do you like my Buddha? he lives in my garden and is a symbol of my religious unbelief-he symbolises my spirituality minus organised religion. Whilst I would defintely not call myself a buddhist, the wisdom of the buddhist philosophy has given me more than my organised religion of choice ever did.
How many Zen buddhists does it take to change a light bulb?
None- they are the light bulb
you've just gotta love it.
How many of my children does it take to change a lightbulb?
None- they didn't break it so why should they change it(true or what little lovelies)
A PARABLE ( my view on life)
Growing up I read the book and saw the tv series Pollyanna- I am sure you had guessed due to my previous quotes and in a very sad way it comforted a sad little girl. I am first to put my hand up and say I hate miserable childhood books, there are too many out there and they should stay where they came from- in the individuals past. My childhood was not good, in fact it was pretty sad most of the time- well that's my miserable childhood story over and dealt with. I liked the Pollyanna story because, yes as a child I was a geeky sap and the Glad game made me feel better(well some of the time anyway).
But.......... I also liked the film The Singing Ringing Tree because that made me feel better(glad?) too. And I am sure you are asking ,'why did that make you feel better?'.
Well here is the answer.
The film is about a beautiful,talented princess whose parents loved her very much and they did all they could to make her happy, she had everything but there was still a coldness in her heart that meant she could not be truly happy. To make the princess realise how lucky she is and how much her parents loved her she loses her beauty and has to live in the forest as a servant to a bear(who of course is a handsome prince!). Bit by bit she changes and slowly regains her beauty as she realises everything that she has. The result is a beautiful person on the inside and the outside.
And I am sure that your next question is. 'how were you comforted by that story?.
Well of course the answer is very sappy sad. The princess had everything and it did not make her happy- I had nothing and I knew that getting money would not make me happy ( it would go a long way to make me feel more comfortable though). Because we had no money when I was growing up all I knew was the comfort enough money to allow me to have the necessities would bring. Then what? If you won the lottery what would you do then?
Buy a house?
Then?
Buy some clothes?
Then?
Go on holidays?
Then?
Back to living your life of course!
Even at a young age I knew that even with everything we owned at the end of the day that all that was left was yourself. And you were the only one who could bring yourself comfort and make yourself happy. So through those sad times I carried on with my small life, using the little things to keep me going.
And what is the message to my parable?
Of course it is live the one life you have well?
Do things you will not regret.
Be happy.
Make others happy?
Recycle( just kidding-but do it just to make me happy anyway)
Live a life you will not regret.
Forgive even when others are wrong- don't let others control your life.
Say sorry even when you ar right- it can't hurt.
Wash more often than once a week(oops sorry that was the mother in me)
Liberate yourself from the bondage of too many possessions- someone somewhere in the word will gain much joy from the possessions you only store in a cupboard and never look at or use.
Love your family- when all else passes away they will still be there for you no matter what a pain they can be.
Remember,'other men's failures can never save you'(Sorry-that was way too good not to use)
In conclusion-
So say the ramblings of a miserable old southern women- well 'ouiser from Steel Msgnolias doesn't have the monopoly on that one. I am getting older, like everyone I can be miserable and I live in the south.
And I already wear purple!!!!!
Hwyl
Mother of Many x