A Short Story to Embrace the Sweetness of Life
Sometimes, the best way for me to understand a message is to hear it through storytelling.
I love this Zen parable for that reason:
A woman is being chased by a tiger.
She runs as fast as she can, but the tiger is catching up.
She comes to a cliff and sees some vines hanging over the edge, so she climbs down them, knowing that the tiger will not be able to follow.
She looks down and sees another tiger waiting for her if she falls. She looks up at the hungry tiger above and notices a small mouse gnawing away at the vine she is holding onto.
She looks ahead and sees a bunch of strawberries in front of her on the cliff face. She picks a strawberry, puts it in her mouth, and enjoys it thoroughly.
What is the message?
The past can follow us like a menacing tiger, the future is full of uncertainties, and just when everything feels under control, a tiny, annoying mouse can show up to derail our plans.
However (and this is where the story comes into its own for me), there is always joy to be found in the present moment. Maybe it’s a smile from a stranger or the lick of wind blowing across your skin. Maybe it’s the sight of a budding flower or the taste a perfectly placed strawberry on your lips.
A gentle reminder for the weekend is to find your strawberry, live in the present moment, and embrace the sweetness.
You can deal with the tigers on Monday.
Enjoy the moment. I like it.