02 January 2008

Lao-tsu for president!

Today's wisdom from BigHappyBuddha:
  • Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed.
I meandered a bit (a bit!?) in yesterday's post, but the Buddha comes to my rescue. What are art, compassion, craft, friendship, and synchronicity but expansions of consciousness? Every purl makes the world a little larger. Every haiku. Every inky letter on every clean page. These things can change the world, and mindful attention can change ourselves.

If we feel small and vulnerable, we lose our sense of proportion and we over-react. Isn't that exactly what we have done in the Middle East? We responded to the brutality of September 11, 2001 by causing a much greater harm to a country that had nothing to do with the attack. We poured tons of salt into the wounds we ourselves inflicted.

Lao-tsu knew better. From the Tao Te Ching:
  • Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.
I hereby nominate Lao-tsu for president!

6 comments:

Donna Lee said...

I loved that thought for the day. I have started a one line journal and it is harder than one would imagine to sum up thoughts into one line and put it in writing. I can think lots of things but commiting them to the paper gives them so much power.
If people have trouble with a mormon as a president, can you see them with a buddhist?

Larjmarj said...

"If people have trouble with a mormon as a president, can you see them with a buddhist?"

So true, unfortunately people can be so ignorant of other beliefs. Then there are those currently in office who waved the flag of fundamentalism to get elected. My feeling is that they simply "used" religion as another propaganda tool. I nominate my dog for president rather than what's in there now.

gfh said...

Some resolutions/
Write, knit, read, learn, do more for/
Peace, love, and haiku.

:)

BettyBoop53 said...

Something else to add to the New Year's resolutions is to vote. People are always yelling about their rights but don't honor their right to vote which is denied to many people around the world. If Lao-tsu could run for president he would have my vote but since he can't I will make another selection exercising my right to vote. Everyone vote!

Jennifer said...

Sometimes I over react. You know, I think it definitely comes from a feeling of powerlessness. Interesting thought.

Cindy said...

How about this: I nominate YOU!!! :D Thanks for the thought-provoking post this morning.