The Zen of Yard Work
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Peace all,
Just thought I'd share some thoughts with anyone who's interested...
It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon and the leafblowers around the neighborhood were screaming in unison, like birds of the same species. I stood amazed at the power in my hands. There I was, holding a man-made machine that was designed to harness the force of nature and channel wind into a 180mph funnel of energy. The leaves almost seemed to react more naturally than they would have reacted to a rake, as if they were used to the wind telling them which way to go, and they acquiesced into orderly piles.
I looked over at my father, once the proud, strong bread-winner. Slowly, life has drained his strength. His role has changed. His very being, his purpose, is slowly being taken away from him.
Becoming a man, I needed to do things myself. I needed to be better than my father. I needed to tell him I didn't need his help, that I could do it myself. And that is what I've become, because of him. And I am grateful.
But what yard-work has taught me is that my father now has very little left to hold on to. When I tell him that I don't need his help, I am telling him that he is not needed. And what could be more sad. So occassionally I catch my self. I stop my self from being a man, and I try to be a son. I ask my father for help. And in those moments, I see glimpses of years past. I see the strength, the pride of a man who has successfully raised his children to be good men, to be independant.
And for that, I am grateful.
May peace be upon you all,
Tay -
Peace be upon you,
That was a good story.
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Salaam,
I think even growing into a strong and independent man, communication and participating with others will not diminish the things you can do to whatever extent is yours. Pushing others away and showing them they are not needed is indeed sort of messed up. You may not always need someone, but we can always engage in activities with them.
Joe
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Thanks, all, for the kind words.
Zenje stated
Wisdom can be found in the 'unlikeliest' of places.
Yeah man! The more you look, the more you find. It's literally everywhere. Sometimes I get overwhelmed, but in a good way. Those are the moments I treasure.
Joe stated
I think even growing into a strong and independent man, communication and participating with others will not diminish the things you can do to whatever extent is yours
You're absolutely right Joe. It's part of the refining process. One must not become overpowered by independance and lose sight of that which is real. I'm learning that minute by minute.
You may not always need someone, but we can always engage in activities with them.
And that's the moral of the story wink
May peace be upon you all,
Tay