Robin and Worm

Robin and Worm (Con't)

Worm began to sweat (which is quite rare for worms).  He had managed to get within a foot of the vole hole.  He had to think of something and fast!
"I know where there is a stash of sunflower seeds," he said with a confidence that sounded quite convincing.
Robin stopped in her tracks.  She had eaten sunflower last season, when the snow was on the frozen ground and finding a worm was quite impossible.  She remembered the rich nutty taste.  And so she stood there frozen in memories.  Finally she spoke:
"Listen, worm!  Don't think for one minute that sunflower seeds are going to save your life!"
But worm was elated.  His confidence grew full instantly.  And so he continued to spin his story.
"OK, I know that I am doomed, but a tasty appetizer of sun seeds would sure set off my demise.  The stash is not far from here at all."
(to be con't)

Robin and Worm (con't)

Robin and Worm (Con't)

Robin failed to notice worm's subtle movements topward the vole hole.  And worm made sure to keep the dialogue going.

"I heard once that seeds have more vitamins and essential trace minerals than worms ... have you considered that?  I also heard that the essential oils in seeds provide a natural boost to your immune system."

"Really?" robin was curious now.  Seeds did not taste that bad, she recalled from her winter foraging.  Perhaps she should add a daily ration of seeds to her diet.

Meanwhile, worm continued to inch toward the vole hole.

(to be con't)

Robin and Worm (Con't)

The Robin and the Worm (Con't)

Both robin and worm were silent for a long time.  Finally, robin broke the silence, "Dirt really tastes good to you?"

"Yes  .... really," said the worm.  "How about worms, we really taste good?"  Have you ever tried seeds?


"I eat seeds once in awhile .... usually when the ground is frozen and I am really hungry."  Robin began to fidget, lifting one leg, then the other.  With all this talk of food, she realized that she was getting mighty hungry. 

Worm was beginning to fidget too, but for other reasons.  He realized that escape was impossible.  ...... unless....

(to be con't)

The Robin and the Worm

One early morning a robin heard a worm moving under the earth.  With a few deft movements of head, the robin plucked the worm from beneath the ground.

"Not fair", shouted the worm.  "You can hear my every movement, while I have no warning of your coming.  You should sing as you scour the ground for your dinner."

"Silly worm," replied the now indignant robin, "It is the depth of the silence, itself, that allows me to hear your slightest move.  When it comes to hunger, fair is not in my vocabulary."

"Think about this, then, oh mighty scavenger:  Your brother and sister wingeds have discovered the sweetness of seeds and grains.  I am mostly rot and dirt.  Surely you deserve better!"

Now the robin was perplexed. 
She began to question herself, "Is there such a possibility of better tasting food?"
She opened her beak, lost in thought, and the worm fell to the ground.
Finally, the robin snapped into presence and asked the worm (who was beginning to plot its escape), "Do you like the taste of dirt?"

"Oh my yes!," said the worm without hesitation.
The variety of minerals in this leafy soil is a rush!"

"I spit out the dirt, when I hunt for worms," said the robin, "I hate the taste and the texture is even worse!"

The worm held back a laugh and stifled even the hint of a smile as he could see how serious robin was.

(to be con't)

Lao Tzu

“When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.”

-Lao Tzu

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/08/21-Quotes-to-Open-Your-Heart.aspx?p=4#ixzz1ByLznE5S

A Short Story Con't (A Modern Allegory)

(con't)

My advice is:

If there is something you can do about your problem in this moment, do it.  Otherwise if you can do nothing in this moment, it is not your problem.  For example, my checking account was overdrawn earlier this month.  Until my social security check is automatically deposited, there was nothing I could do about it, so I ignored my balance and let my worry go.

On one level worry expresses a lack of faith and trust in God and God’s goodness and mercy towards us.  I like to work with the thought taht every moment is God’s perfect gift to us.  Thus, accepting it all in thanksgiving becomes our discipline.  But, I digress   …  let me get back to my story.  ….

(to be con’t)

A Short Story Con't (A Modern Allegory)

Con’t -

Tuesday rolled around…. she appeared at my office right on time and we began our first session.  I was humbled and awed by the story she unfolded.  I could feel my own story vibrating in sympathetic harmonic.

My professional vows prevent me from sharing any more detail, but suffice it to say that her childhood was anything but easy.  She spun out a story of worries that captured my rapt attention until my beeper sounded the end of the session.  Usually, my approach means I just listen and clarify.  But her pain so moved me that I offered some advice.  That I CAN share because it is the same advice I give myself when I find my mind captivated by worries.

Here it is:

(to be con’t)

A Short Story ( an allegory )

Short Story (allegory) Con't

I am choosing to depart from my story for a few moments. I want to speak as a professional mental/emotional and spiritual counselor.  Perhaps I am choosing to do this too early in my narrative, but I confess that I have my reasons which, if my story is told well enough, should become clear to the reader at the end.

Here is my question: what is it about human nature or the nature of worries that causes us to cling to them so tenaciously?

Any feedback?

A Short Story Con't (A Modern Allegory)

My screening questions revealed that she wondered about obsessive worrying because her partner has brought home the new worry zapper and she had refused to try it.

“He accused me of being addicted to worry,” she said with a tone of righteous indignation.

“Are you?,” I inquired.

There was a long pause. “Well, I do worry a lot,” she said sheepishly."

“Would you give it up, if you knew how?” I inquired.

Another long pause.....

“I think so,” she finally confessed.

“Well then, perhaps we aught to make an appointment and explore ways of worrying less,” I offered.

Another long silence.....

“OK,” she finally spoke, “When are you free?”

“I have an opening next week on Tuesday at 3:00 pm,” I offered, glancing through my appointment book.

“That sounds OK,” she replied, “What should I bring?”

“Well,” I thought out loud, “start writing down every worry as it comes up. You can bring me that list.”
“OK,” she responded dutifully.

“See you on Tuesday afternoon at three, then,” I reaffirmed.

(to be con't)

A Short Story Con't (A Modern Allegory)

So, one day he brings home a brand new Worry Zapper.

His expectation was that she would be thrilled to hear that there existed a gadget that could instantaneously zap a worry. In fact, he was surprised by the intensity of her resistance.
“Could it be?”, he wondered, that she wants her worries... is addicted to them?” He was wise enough to say nothing.

What he encountered next reminded him of trying to coax his daughter to eat when she was three.
“Comon”, he pleaded just try a little one.”

“No way”, she countered, “No telling what that thing does to your brain. I had an aunt that took anti-depressant for 20 years and she totally lost touch with reality. You want to come home to a zombified basket case?”

“Well no”, he had to admit, “but worrying all the time can turn you into a nut-case for sure!”

“I'll take my chances with the tried and true.”

*********

And that is how I met her. She called my office the very next day wanting to know if there were any therapies that were particularly affective for curing obsessive over-worrying.

(to be con't )

Home - Poetry Is for Sissies

Home - Poetry Is for Sissies

A Short Story

He had always been a gadget guru; His gadget collecting was born of this and not (as some had presumed)vice versa.

She had always been a worry collector. She even curated a museum of past and possible future worries, and she, like tens of thousands of others, still sought the very rare 'present worry'.

There were some who even believed that 'present worries' were an artifice, a myth created to defend the possession of past and future worries.

Our story is an adventure born in their inherent difference: she worried, he gave worry up for Lent one year and never took it back. The drama begins when he brings home a 'Worry Zapper' ( A registered trademark of WorryBeGone, Inc., a small startup in Silicon Valley).

So, one day he brings home a brand new Worry Zapper.

....... to be continued .....

Beware of Spirit Leeches

Beware of Spirit Leeches

Posted on January 4, 2011 by shamsuddin001
I had a friend who finally committed suicide. (Bless his soul)

I spent lots of time with him on the phone and in person. It did not take me long to realize that no mater how much and how often I offered succor, advice, sympathy, encouragement… it was never enough.

After he committed suicide, I kept him in my daily practices for a month or two. I daily offered a prayer from Hazrat Inayat Khan, which read, in part, “heal his heart from the wounds of this life.”

We are all wounded by events and circumstances of this life, from time to time; but we recover because life offers us enough healing to do so.

Why is it that some, can never seem to get enough? (Please leave me comments… I really want to know).