Years ago, I was told a fable that sparked an important shift in me. You know the ones that send a shiver up your spine as if saying “listen up, this message is for you”. It invited me to take an honest appraisal of myself. To look at both my light and dark sides. I’ll be the first to admit, connecting with the shadow self, the parts of ourselves that we are afraid to admit to or look closely at, is not easy. However, if we want to improve how we live life, internally and externally, we must be willing to experience these growing pains. How you ask? Honesty. Open mindedness. Willingness.
Read on if you are interested in an opportunity to grow…
A Heavy Load – Zen Buddhist literature
Two traveling Monks arrived upon a town where there was a young woman waiting to step out of her sedan chair. The rains had made deep puddles and she couldn’t step across without spoiling her silken robes. She stood there scolding her attendants, looking very cross and impatient. They had nowhere to place the packages they held for her, so they couldn’t help her across the puddle.
The younger monk noticed the women, said nothing and walked by. The older monk quickly picked her up and put her on his back. He transported her across the water and put her down on the other side. She didn’t thank the older monk. She just shoved him out of the way and departed.
As they continued on their way the young monk was brooding and preoccupied. After several hours of silence, he spoke out. “That women back there was very selfish and rude but, you picked her up on your back and carried her and she didn’t even thank you!”
“I set the women down hours ago,” the older monk replied. “Why are you still carrying her?”
– How do you identify with each character?
– Are there things you have been carrying for too long?
– Are the ways you interact with yourself and others in need of change?
I invite you to book a free 15 minute consultation to explore how I may be of support.
Take care of yourself. There is only one of you!
