Painting by dcrelief
Prologue
Not all trips are pleasant ones. Some merely exist to teach us a lesson. A lesson about ourselves: what we've been, what we are, or what we might become. Let us not look lightly at the negative behavior we're ever exposed to, lest we become the same in thought and deed.
The One That Got Away
I caught a fish, a very large fish, and fought my better judgment to let it go. It was my trophy, I had to display it, and so I photographed it to show all of my friends that I was the “best of the best of fishermen.” My ego blindingly held myself, as well as the fish, captive. My overzealous need for "just one more person" to recognize my superiority caused great delay in the preservation of the fish; alas! It was inedible. The bodily damage was such that it could not even be mounted to be observed for all time. The wall in my living room would remain bare.
What was found was painfully ruined, as I contemplated the one that got away. How was it that the joy of the catch did not stay with me? Within my mind I recalled the moment of bringing that mighty one to the surface and how proud I had been. I was the best and here was my proof. How was it that I did not see, that as the fish began to disintegrate, so had my trip? My joy for that fish caused me to ignore any joy for anything or anyone else. When the one that got away, went away, there was no experience left to fill the void. I had alienated all others, deeming them unworthy of my attention.
I sat alone and pondered what I might have done differently. Better yet, I sought a new direction for the next trip. I would leave behind all cumbersome things and ones that would divide the mighty fisherman's attention. I would have my complete joy in the catch, and a large cooler to preserve my new slave. Nothing and no one would hinder my expectations.
Epilogue
Not all trips are pleasant ones. Out of the darkness a line is dropped into the water of our soul. Some come with hooks that are attached to things we'd be wise to avoid. What we've been, what we are, or what we may become, depends largely on what we yield ourselves to accepting. Let us not think lightly on the times when we're allowed to be the one that got away.
This is n an amazing post. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePaige
Wow Dixie,
ReplyDeleteI had to read this and them come back later to read it again. The message in your story is applicable to many of life's situations.
I can think of many times I fell into the same trap and many times that I luckily did not bite.
Wonderful thoughts to ponder.
Namaste,
Roger
Paige: Thank you to an amazing neighbor!
ReplyDeleteThe Buddhist Conservative; Roger:
ReplyDeleteYou have my appreciation for your kind remarks.
In peace,
Dixie
ah.the poison apple which we all are tempted with @ some point.
ReplyDeleteDesperado:
ReplyDelete"@ some point" hits the nail on the head. Thank you!
Dixie
Dear Dixie,
ReplyDeleteA truly amazing blog.
Not all trips are pleasant ones. Yet with every journey we can learn, learn that beyond our ego, is the quality that embraces acceptance of others.
Wonderful blog, wonderful painting.
Thanks Dixie. Warm regards, Gary
Hi Gary, glad you enjoyed this one. I took extra time to shape it more; details in, details out, trying to remain fair. The painting is of “Copernicus”, my cousin’s Beta that passed away.
ReplyDeleteYou know what seems amazing to me? I finally wrote this story from every angle possible. I used every kind fiber in my soul to accept, if not to understand, what the perception of each angle was. I carefully wrote with an absence of malice (ill will) for the fisherman’s part. I succeeded in explaining his attitude, even though he was largely unaware of it. He never sees his ego as the problem. He sees the lack of others’ adulation as the issue he must change. I, Dixie, did not kiss the fish, therefore I was let go. My disabilities bar me from further trips. (LOL)
In peace, Dixie
That painting! It's pretty...and the post? a very touching parable.
ReplyDeleteThere are indeed unpleasant journeys but I think they happen for a reason.
You never fail to inspire me. Thanks.
Jun Bullan:
ReplyDeleteYou're right; this one happened for a lot of reasons. If I applied the principles of it to other events of my life, I would see my self in all parts; Just as Roger stated in his comment.
In some of my situations I have been able to do as Gary has said: "journying beyond the ego;" I hope I can do better as time continues.
I thank you for your inspiration too.
In peace,
Dixie
If it got away it could have been a message from above.There are other days to catch another.
ReplyDeleteL.R.
L.R.: you are so right; but my friend pushed the envelope.
ReplyDelete