Rules of use, give thanks and praise, the rest of men, my friend, sitting there as relaxed
as any human being can ever be, told me that one of the major problems in the world is
people, not animals, birds, land, sea, or air, people.
Because of their impatience, they do things that not only irritate themselves but others
around them, not to mention animals, birds, land, sea, and air.
Impatience, do you feel it?
As I came away from my friend I thought about his words, simple words to be sure, but thought
provoking nonetheless. His passing words, his way of saying goodbye, resonating in my mind.
He said as we parted company, give thanks and praise.
But the word impatience stayed there. Because of impatience, we don't take off our shoes
upon entering a home, not our own. Let the host tell you that you don't have to.
We don't put things back after using them. We don't clean up after ourselves, even if
we use the spoon. We leave a mess no matter how small for someone else to clean up. And
we don't always say thank you. We don't assume responsibility of use, even
if, is to put something in a trash can. When you empty it, who will empty it?
Did we put it in the trash can and not litter outside the trash can?
We don't leave things the way we found them. Why? Because of impatience.
If we cause something to move, did we replace it?
We don't return barred things in a timely manner, in as good a shape or even better.
We don't always consider the other person's privacy, much less to recognize everyone with
dignity and respect always. Impatience.
Because of impatience, we don't always recognize the other person's time.
Being just as important as our own, nor do we give recognition to what others do as being
just as valuable as what we do. Because of impatience, we are always quick
to judge. After me, I'm a work in progress. I try my best
to do as my rest of friends suggest. Give thanks and praise.
My prayer is always the same. Two words said three times.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everything that I want and need is here,
right here in front of me. The fact that I fail to see, even though
I have eyes, or to hear, even though I have ears, is not the Creator's fault.
It is mine. So why beseech, why beg, when everything is already
here, right here and right now? As for praise, I have praised the Creator
by knowing who I am and by being the best that I can be.
I need only to follow two rules, be the best that I can be and do everything in my power
to hurt no one. Let me meditate on that.
Here to join me.
Let me meditate on that.
Let me meditate on that.
Let me meditate on that.
Let me meditate on that.
Let me meditate on that.
Let me meditate on that.
Let me meditate on that.
Let me meditate on that.
