Rumi's wisdom ... on a Sunday morning

"Blessed is one who sees his weakness, 

and blessed is one who, 

when he sees a flaw in someone else, 

takes responsibility for it.

Because, half of any person is wrong and weak

and off the path.

HALF! The other half is dancing and swimming 

and flying in Invisible Joy.

You have ten open sores on your head.

Put what salve you have on yourself.

Point out to everyone the dis-ease you are.

That's part of getting well!

Don't try to be famous

until your face is completely washed of all fear. 

Try to avoid distracting thoughts.

Thoughts are like wild donkeys

in the thicket of human existence."

   ~ Rumi

Why Things Happen

pre-dawn darkness

It's now 5.27am. A baby has suddenly started crying from one of the flats downstairs. Two minutes later, it stopped.

I was just thinking the parents are probably both working and would probably not be up for another hour to go to work. Ooops spoke too soon, baby is at it again.  Poor thing. I can feel its desire to be comforted/soothed. Wonder what babies see/experience.

Y'day while at the shops,  i saw a difficult scene. An under 10 child was being difficult in the supermarket. He was with his grandparent, the typical setup in SG these days. Both parents working. The grandparent seemed annoyed as he was trying to control the child but kid wasn't behaving at all. Instead pushing the boundaries of disobedience. I made a mental note that bringing up children was not easy and just because we see examples of well behaved kids does not mean all kids can be trained. I had been thinking discipline was the answer but I think a lot more factors go into moulding a child today.