Life Rules
I’m reading a biography now and so far the woman has talked about two rules that she made for her life. She loved to take walks in the mountains when she was a child and there was no danger where she walked. But snakes would slither across the paths sometimes. She was kind of afraid of stepping on a snake, but she made a life rule for herself that she would always explore when she got the chance and she wouldn’t ever avoid a new path for fear of stepping on a snake. I think that sounds like a pretty good rule for life.
It says to me that I shouldn’t be afraid to take new paths and new ways because of unpleasantness lurking somewhere in that path. I assume she was talking about blacksnakes or gartersnakes and not copperheads or rattlesnakes. I think I shouldn’t be afraid of new paths just because something could happen that would be unpleasant. I don’t know how much I can accept this idea. I know I am open to some new things and very closed to many new things. I know I should work on this idea of accepting new paths to explore.
The second rule that she’s mentioned is that when she would get home from her excursions on the mountain paths, she would always put the flowers she had picked into water immediately, no matter how tired she was or how thirsty. She loved the wildflowers and enjoyed having vases of them around the house.
I don’t go out picking wildflowers but I see in this life rule a determination to have beauty in her life and to protect it ahead of her own comfort. I’m thinking of things I should do to maintain good balance whether I’m tired or not. I think it’s interesting that this woman developed these life rules when she was possibly a young teen.
Submitted by
Sally
at 3/11/2006 3:27:18 PM- I don't know why, but this post about rules and being open to new ideas reminds me of the saying: when one door opens, another closes. Do you believe that Nancy? I thought a few months ago (when a door SEEMED open) I would be 'open' to something new, but as time went by I realize I'm pretty much stuck in my ways, unfortunately! But, then again, I'm happy and who could ask for more than that? :)
Submitted by
NJ
at 3/11/2006 6:05:48 PM- Sally, that's an interesting question. Those closed doors often do lead to another door opening. Maybe it's not what we thought we would have though. When I retired from teaching, I thought I'd get a job in writing but I was never aggressive enough to make it happen and it didn't just happen. No door ever opened. But I suppose other doors did open. I did more in creative art, and I was a hospital volunteer and had more time for church activities. But now, I'd like to be more open to exploring and less afraid of snakes crossing the path. But I don't know if that will happen or not.
Mary Lou, it's easy to write or say something unintentionally offensive, but what I was thinking about was deliberately saying nasty things to and about people and expecting to not pay for it. Many young people just think they can express whatever they want to and it's their right. Maybe, but they will pay for it.
Leslie, I hope with you that her attitude will change.
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Good Morning NJ! I know several who have written things they wish they had not. You just have to learn that when you put it out there on the internet, that the WHOLE WORLD will have access to it. THere is no such thing as privacy anymore. at least not around electronics!