Too much giving and not enough receiving has emptied my cup. It is lying empty in the frozen desert of time.
But, the only constant in life is change and the sun has risen.
The environment is beginning to thaw. Water is running alongside my cup. Some ripples are nudging it. I think, “Yes, it will start to fill up soon!” Just then a foot appears out of nowhere and cruelly stomps my cup flat leaving me with a feeling of exasperation. I’m not sure what to do now. The cup will not hold water any longer both ends are open. I am confused. Sadly I realize if I had the proper materials and experience, I could repair my cup. It would be different but the cup still might hold water in its unique new form.
I pick up the squashed cup. It was nothing fancy to begin with just an average tin cup. But, it was durable and stood the test of time until now. I have fond memories of the magic tonic this tin cup once held. That tonic nourished me through many dry and lean periods in life.
This was a tough old mug I notice as my fingers attempt to remold the flattened creases into its original shape without success. The pent-up rage that annihilated the old tin cup held power. I might as well just give up on my attempts at repairing it. There’s no use in it. Everything has it’s time and this old cups time is up.
But I did love the old thing and my attachment to it will not allow me to leave it behind in this barren desert land even though it will no longer hold water. So, I will take it with me in hopes of finding another use for it in the future.
Before I leave, I kneel and sip at the wet liquid gurgling in the stream praying it will replenish my thirst until I can find a new cup to fill. The water is refreshing but it is a simple drop in the big bucket of life. It will not sustain me for long, a mouth full or two will have to do for now. I rise from the stream and follow it to a large Ash tree slanting toward the east. Under the trees barren winter branches a round table sits. Upon the table lies a gift with my name attached.
The confusion I felt previously turns to surprise, tentatively I unwrap the gift. It is a new cup with the following inscription:
Look not behind you, but instead always strive to look ahead.
Look not down, but look above for signs of friendship, joy and love.
Look out, but also look within to the place where all good things begin.
Look wherever your heart esteems, look to sunshine, look to dreams.
The Leaning Tree
I think I shall enjoy filling this new cup!
Life is always changing. Sometimes, it is necessary to let go of the old to make room for the new. Let your dreams inspire and guide you toward new life experiences. Then go out and fill your cup, the Tree of Life is waiting.
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