Non-Attachment, Selfless Service and Kiva Lending

[Guest]

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[mejane]

I liked this......thank you for sharing thses wise words.
Jane

[RichardF]

The Donkey in the Well

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

The Moral
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less

Okay, enough of that… The donkey later came back, caught the farmer out in the field and bit the snot out of him. The gash from the bite got infected, and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.  Then he went over to each of his neighbors farms and bit the snot out of them too for helping.

The REAL Moral
When you do something wrong and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
 

[RichardF]

The Pony in the Dung Heap

Worried that their son was too optimistic, the parents of a little boy took him to a psychiatrist. Trying to dampen the boy’s spirits, the psychiatrist showed him into a room piled high with nothing but horse manure. Yet instead of displaying distaste, the little boy clambered to the top of the pile, dropped to all fours, and began digging.

“What do you think you’re doing?” the psychiatrist asked.

“With all this manure,” the little boy replied, beaming, “there must be a pony in here somewhere!”

[skbasket]

Thanks for sharing the donkey story.  It was fun to read!

[RichardF]

Lately, four words seem to cover just about every concern that has crossed my mind.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

[Jan & John]

Lately, four words seem to cover just about every concern that has crossed my mind.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Thank you everyone for a wonderful morning's reading hour.

I personally would translate non-attachment into just plain acceptance.

I find if I accept whatever is happening in this moment, without judgement or stress, then my personal enjoyment grows from that moment.
If I am always wishing for something different, comparing with the past, planning for the future, then I am sure to be disappointed and perhaps even angry.

John and I have many ways we like to give through charity to such as our church, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and so on.  I find that I no longer worry about the uses of my money.  Does it get to where it is going? etc etc.  I give and accept that whatever will be, was meant to be.  But I don't feel a lasting sense of satisfaction and my own happiness is only in the moment. 
(except EducationGeneration - I do print out those children's faces to get my own strokes

Kiva has been so very different. 
Kiva has given me faces I can identify with. 
My young man in Ecuador who I am sure received at least some of the money I sent. 
My wonderful group in Kenya for whom I am still hoping good things will happen. 
Those wonderful people who have paid me back so that I could turn it around and help someone else. 
I am drowning in the joy of feeling that I finally have found a way to 'do good'

jan - who likes to feel good and have fun while doing it 

[RichardF]

The Hero with a Thousand Faces – Kiva Heroes, Quests, Dreams and Myths

What is it about Kiva that draws in so many people? 

Is it because they offer dreams of mythic proportions - literally? 

Is Kiva a lightning rod for heroes setting out on literal and vicarious quests? 

Will they form alliances with like-minded, heroic legions? 

Will their individual and collective dreams be fulfilled? 

Will they vanquish the nemesis of poverty?


Or will they be seduced and vanquished by the Dark Side of the Force?


Trials and tribulations are at hand.  Unknown battles loom in the murky distance. 

The fates of public dreams and private myths rest in the balance.