To See. . .

Buddha gathered his disciples and showed them a lotus flower. “I want you to tell me something about what I hold in my hand.” The first gave a whole treaty on the importance of flowers. The second composed a lovely poem about its petals. The third invented a parable using the flower as an example. Now it was Mahakashyap’s turn. He came up to Buddha, smelt the flower, and caressed his face with one of the petals. “This is a lotus flower,” said Mahakashyap. “Simple, like everything that comes from this world. And beautiful, like everything that comes from nature.” “You were the only one who saw what I hold in my hand,” was Buddha’s comment. Learning lessons is a little like reaching maturity. You’re not suddenly more happy, wealthy, or powerful, but you understand the world around you better, and you’re at peace with yourself. Learning life’s lessons is not about making your life perfect, but about seeing life as it was meant to be. Peace and Love, Jim