SHOVELING SNOW WITH BUDDHA
by BILLY COLLINS
My kind of friend
The Buddha shovels the snow with perfect attention -
and teaches me eloquently about my life's journey.
He demonstrates that the process is the destination -
that with patience and serenity and perseverance
I will overcome any obstacles in my path,
I will reveal what lies within.
He shows me that I must use the right tools -
a 'thin blade' for shoveling snow,
a wise counselor to give comfort in my emotional winter.
He gently encourages me to fully immerse myself in the present -
to get out into world, no matter how unwelcoming,
to participate even when 'the season is wrong'.
He gives me permission to reward myself -
with 'cards' and 'hot chocolate' after shoveling snow,
with thoughts of spring and sun and cherry blossoms,
poetry and art to soothe the grey spirit.
He says that silence is okay -
that within the cacophony there are 'pockets of silence'
which renew and refresh and invigorate.
He reminds me that it is alright to be different -
"me with my commentary
and he inside his generous pocket of silence',
that it is our difference which fulfills and completes us,
enables and empowers us to become who we are called to be.
I might shovel snow with Buddha again -
he is my kind of friend.
by BILLY COLLINS
My kind of friend
The Buddha shovels the snow with perfect attention -
and teaches me eloquently about my life's journey.
He demonstrates that the process is the destination -
that with patience and serenity and perseverance
I will overcome any obstacles in my path,
I will reveal what lies within.
He shows me that I must use the right tools -
a 'thin blade' for shoveling snow,
a wise counselor to give comfort in my emotional winter.
He gently encourages me to fully immerse myself in the present -
to get out into world, no matter how unwelcoming,
to participate even when 'the season is wrong'.
He gives me permission to reward myself -
with 'cards' and 'hot chocolate' after shoveling snow,
with thoughts of spring and sun and cherry blossoms,
poetry and art to soothe the grey spirit.
He says that silence is okay -
that within the cacophony there are 'pockets of silence'
which renew and refresh and invigorate.
He reminds me that it is alright to be different -
"me with my commentary
and he inside his generous pocket of silence',
that it is our difference which fulfills and completes us,
enables and empowers us to become who we are called to be.
I might shovel snow with Buddha again -
he is my kind of friend.
I used my original template
and kept it very plain except for the heart with blue stitching.
This torso is inserted into a BIG blue smile
as wide as wide can be:-)
and kept it very plain except for the heart with blue stitching.
This torso is inserted into a BIG blue smile
as wide as wide can be:-)
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