Virtual Cathy Blog
Saturday, June 16, 2007
A Renewable Canvas
INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:
"Oh, this is the joy of the rose: That it blows, And goes."
~ Willa Cather
DO SANDCASTLES NEED BLUEPRINTS?
It seems these days that we live in a culture that puts much more emphasis on product rather than process. There lies a danger in losing sight of how we do something as we focus solely on our goal. Whether at work, at school, or at play, we are more and more becoming defined by what we do, instead of who we are.
A recently received gift serves as a perfect illustration of the importance of process over product. It's called a Buddha Board, sometimes also advertised as a Zen Board, and it brings back memories of the old-fashioned Etch-A-Sketch. You paint on the board with a brush and water, and in a few minutes, your creation gently fades away, leaving the canvas blank again.
On the one hand, you can paint with no limitation, for there can be no expectation and no judgment once the "product" is complete and then vanishes from existence. A displeasing or unsatisfactory creation is of no consequence, because it's gone almost as quickly as it was created, and the "process" can begin again.
On the other hand, the Buddha Board teaches complete detachment from the "product," because once you've created a brilliant brush stroke or a deeply moving and beautiful image, it likewise fades away into nothingness, again leaving a blank canvas where only moments ago a lovely expression was displayed.
What a perfect metaphor for the impermanent and changing nature of life! How important it is to live in the moment - to "be here now" - and worry less about the final destination than the journey that carries us there.
Go ahead, envision your goal and carry yourself towards it with the most grace and skill that you can muster. Should you reach your target, then your journey must simply begin anew. And if you have not yet reached your target, then you are lucky enough to continue enjoying your journey, your education, and your development. Bon voyage!
posted by The Office Grapevine at 12:36 AM
0 Comments: