WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

Menorise [men-oh-rIse]; the condition of inculcation

RISE

Too often we are so busy moving along a flat road in life, we forget that life's very purpose is to help us grow and rise above its vagaries.  When we do come to a point where we are faced with 'stepping up', how many of us can truly do so?  No matter what philosophical leanings anybody has, one thing that can surely be agreed on - the noblest goal is to become the very best Human Being one can.

Most have no sense of a goal beyond the material world.  Not a problem in itself, but it is self-defeating, for where does it end?  Worse, we look for all manner of ways to get to the next level without actually having to deal with the effort of climbing.  This is the fast-track mentality that only ends up causing stress and distress. Indeed, the constant side-stepping, skipping steps, sliding the bannister and short-cutting is exhausting, damaging to the personality and takes its toll on the social fabric. 

image copyrighted to Yamini Ali MacLean
My grandfather the shepherd, when I was a wee totty bairn, once laughed at me when I was struggling to climb the lambing hill with him.  At four and half years, 100 yards is the equivalent of Mount Everest.  I had begun to walk round instead of up.  He called me over and, after discovering what I was about, told me something I have never forgotten.

"Do you know where we are going?  That's right, to help the lambs.  Do you know where they are?  That's right.  At the top of the hill. When you know exactly where it is you're headed, why would you create a longer journey?  The more you keep to the path, the fitter you will become and soon you won't notice the climb, but see only the top of the hill…. Then…. Even when you are running out of puff, you'll hear the wee lambies bleating and you will find that second wind.  Come on, follow me, one step at a time."


Simple when put like that!



5 comments:

  1. "Even when you are running out of puff, you'll hear the wee lambies bleating and you will find that second wind."
    I love this, Yam. I loved climbing hills when I was younger, and I love the idea of it still. However, I "run out of puff" in a very short time now. I never really knew where that expression came from, but it must have been from my Scottish grandparents.
    And "one step at a time" has been a major part of my life for many, many years.
    K

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  2. Hari Om
    I never thought about this being a Scottish idiom, but on reflection, it must be! Don't think I have really heard it otherwise. xx

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  3. The wisdom of your grandfather is breathtaking, Yam.

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  4. Hari Om
    Yes Perpetua-ji and he is still missed even after 35 years... but his voice is still there! We find sages and saints everywhere. We need to have a level of wisdom to recognise them though! xxx

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