tuesday, june 7, 2011

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espying beauty among thorns
the student bowed deeply in greeting his mentor. "you have a question, young sir" she said. "yes. there's something i do not understand...." "only one something? you must be very wise indeed," she teased. "what is this something?" "well, you've often said there is beauty and purpose in all things of creation." "yes. it is but for us to perceive that beauty." "as i've heard you say, Esteemed One. Yet sometimes it is difficult to believe. for instance. this plant with the dangerous thorns; i have watched you nurture it day after day yet it only grows thicker and more ugly with larger thorns that bleed me if i happen against them...." "sometimes beauty and purpose are there but our knowledge will not let us see. sometimes also, one must wait til beauty shows herself and purpose becomes clear. let us come again tomorrow."
on the next day when they arrived, there bloomed a flower among the thorns. "now that is truly beautiful!" exclaimed the student. "ahhh. you see it now in the flower. good. but even before the flower came, there was beauty in this noble plant your eyes would not let you see. the thorns are perfect when we use them as needles with which to sew. the thick leaves are delicious food as is the fruit yet to come.. open your mind and heart as well as your eyes, little wise One, and perhaps you may espy the beauty and purpose before the flower blooms...." at that moment, everything around him took on a radiance heretofore unseen....

blessing, saxz ∞