As to you Art, Poetry, Science: Two Stories from others....

It matters not whether it's your art in poetry, stories, painting, sculpturing, photography, dance, or in science or anything, it is yours to do, yours to give and yours to live. These two stories are offered only as encouragement: Write. Paint. Sculpt. Open your lenses to light. Dance. Discover. Observe. .......Be.....

Mercy - XB - Timothy 4/5/2012



Abba Macarius 4th century Egypt



A brother came to see Abba Macarius the Egyptian and said to him, "Abba, give me a word, that I may be saved." So the old man said, "Go to the cemetery and insult the dead." The brother went there, hurled insults and stones at them; then he returned and told the old man about it. The latter said to him, "Didn’t they say anything to you? He replied, "No." The old man said, "Go back tomorrow and praise them." So the brother went away and praised them, calling them Apostles, saints and blessed people. He returned to the old man and said to him, "I have complimented them." And the old man said to him, "Did they not answer you?" the brother said no. the old man said to him, "You know ho you insulted them and they did not reply, and how you praised them and they did not speak; so you too if you wish to be saved must do the same and become a dead man. Like the dead, take no account of either the scorn of others or their praises, and you can be saved."



'Holy Man, The' by Susan Trott



One story, as I recall, maybe reimagined:

A man saved up his money to take a pilgrimage up the Himalayans to visit an Ancient, an Elder for insight into his life. His journey took some time, with many obstacles, often just other pilgrims in his way. Finally, after weeks he arrived to the Monk's hut. Having been invited in by the Ancient's helper, he stood before the desired teacher for a minute or so, and then was shown the back door. August, he protested, 'After all this time and work I am given a mere minute of his time, and then with no word - no-thing, then pushed on aside?' The Elder simply responded, 'It's your journey.'