TWO BOXES

A Short Story of Two Boxes

I have in my hands two boxes, which God gave me to hold.  He said, “Put all your sorrows in the black box, and all your joys in the gold.”

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes, both my joys and sorrows I stored, but though the gold became heavier each day, the black was as light as before.  With curiosity, I opened the black and wanted to find out why.  And I saw in the base of the box, a hole, which my sorrows had fallen out, I showed the hole to God and mused, “I wonder where my sorrows could be!”  He smiled a gentle smile and said, ‘My child, they are all here with me.”

I asked God why He gave me the boxes. why the gold and the black with the hole.

“My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, and the black is for you to let go.”

Isn’t this what God is asking us to do every day of our lives?

–Story by Limin Hong

A Bing Image

SEEING WITH THE VOICE OF STILLNESS

A Short Story

Gwen John painted this “table with a teapot,” as an example of practicing mindfulness when one looks at things or people.

She mastered this art form, different from her numerous self-portraits.  First, let me point out its intricate details.  We see a creamy cloudy light sky covering a wooden table seemingly set for teatime.  Obvious is the chocolate brown clay pot like the one I had purchased at Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon in England.  Because of Gwen’s technique to deeply imagine this effervescent scene, I surmise the China is white and next to it is her blank journal waiting for words to spill out.  Evocative was her intent to create shadows in shades and shapes of nuanced colors.  This effect of seeing mindfully pauses the mind to enter a moment; Gwen’s language of seeing the voice of stillness, and we can do the same.  Being still brought her a holy moment while painting, which revives another memory of mine which is forever logged in my soul.

A lent of years ago, I sat in church before a larger-than-life crucifix.  My heart could not contain the sorrow it felt.  I surrendered by closing my eyes and instantly saw Jesus pulling me from the pew and placing me on His chest — say What?  Yes, it did happen, this seeing with the voice of stillness, totally transforming me.  Now, when I look at things or people, I can practice seeing mindfully as a moment of contemplation.

Art is a marvelous invention; it brings you deeper, memories return with added value, and the journey of wonder continues.  Spirit inspired, story told, I come away so fond of Gwen John and how her art encouraged me to reveal a personal testimony, all for the Glory of God.

A RE-BLOG POST Oh! My Beloved Heart…………..

I feel those two hearts beating together, beautifully written, so good for a re-blog here, much thanksgiving to you.

Boundless Blessings by Kamal

Oh! My Beloved Heart

Do not be sador crestfallen

Do not become disheartened so easily

Have utmost faith and trust

In the inner world of beauty

There are many mysteriesand thrills

Many wonders, many magical moments

Angels singing sweet songs of melody

Waiting with open arms

On wings of grandeurand purity

Just for you My Beloved Heart

Even if the whole world and its mystries

Threatens you with your life

Don’t let go of the Beloved’s Robe

For even a breathor for a second

Surrender to His Will

He will lift you in his arms

Fly on wings of a spirited bird

And take you Hometo his gorgeous abode

Where your Heart truly belongs…………..

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FOR LOVE OF JESUS

The ability to go beyond what is merely natural can become a saintly deed.

The life of Saint Francis gives us a touching example of going beyond natural capacity when one day he encountered a leper approaching him.   Aghast by the leper’s disfigured face, Francis instinctively pulled away, yet was overwhelmed with compassion as he kissed the man.  At once Francis was filled with joy and the leper continued his walk thanking God.  A moment of holiness was consumed.

This holy story reminds me of a time in Jerusalem when a strange giant of a man touched me from behind as I was entering the gate of the old city.  He seemed to have blisters all over him, in a panic I screamed and ran away.  Lord, what just happened?  I felt sorrow that the man had frightened me to the point of not responding to his begging.  Shortly thereafter our guide reassured me that this was a common ruse towards tourists.  It took me a while to dismiss this rare encounter reacting so unlike Francis.

“Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things.  It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us.”

–Mother Teresa

A Bing Image

A RE-BLOG POST Miserable or Blissful-Its entirely your choice…….

What a pleasant surprise, your Rumi story that will compliment a poem of his I have just posted…LOL!

Boundless Blessings by Kamal

A Sufi mystic who had always remained happy was asked by people who observed him almost every day for the last 70 years, why he had never ever been found sad. One day they asked him, ‘Pray tell us, what is the secret of your happiness? We have never seen you forlorn but looking joyful and smiling forever. We would definitely like to hear from you what makes you happy and cheerful and take some learnings of value from you.’

The Sufi very kindly said, ‘There is no great secret.It is very simple. Every morning when I wake up, I meditate for five minutes and I say to myself, ‘Listen now my friend and soulmate, there are two possibilities for you, either you can beMISERABLEthe whole day through and keep on crying at your misfortunes and bad luck, or you can beBLISSFULand lead a…

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A RE-BLOG POST – Two Horses…………..

The imagery of the two horses is perfect to align with this story.

Boundless Blessings by Kamal

Just up the road from a home in Wisconsin is a stable owned by one Mr. Jeffrey with few horses. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse very closely will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse’s halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow him wherever he goes. As you stand and…

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