13-09-2022, 03:03 PM
(This post was last modified: 13-09-2022, 03:07 PM by Lilith7. Edited 1 time in total.)
Strange to do groceries this morning with almost no one wearing a mask - I'll get used to it, but I'm almost sad to see them go - mine certainly improved my looks. 
But annoying to wear for long, I found. I may still do so on public transport though.
I've been very fortunate to have always had lovely neighbours except for once years ago when the owners of a neighbouring house had to go south for work, & let their house for that time. The woman of the house turned out to be one of those people who had conniptions over the smallest things, & screeched loudly about it.
I think the entire suburb heaved a gigantic sigh of relief when they went.
One of my granddaughters has a friend who's one of those people who lift your spirits without even trying; I met him back when they were both in early teens & hadn't seen him for years till I went into a shop he happened to be working & he recognised me, which made my day.
The talk of neighbours reminded me of this ancient Sufi parable.
A stranger enters a village & immediately looks for the Sufi master to ask advice. He says, ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm thinking of moving to live in this village. What can you tell me about the people who live here?ÔÇØ
And the Sufi master replies ÔÇ£What can you tell me about the people who live where you came from?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Ah,ÔÇØ says the visitor angrily ÔÇ£they are terrible people. They are robbers, cheats & liars. They stab each other in the back.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Well nowÔÇØ says the Sufi master ÔÇ£IsnÔÇÖt that a coincidence? ThatÔÇÖs exactly what theyÔÇÖre like here.ÔÇØ
So the man departs the village & is never seen again.
Soon, another stranger enters the village & he too seeks out the Sufi master for advice. He says ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm thinking about moving to live in this village. What can you tell me about the people who live here?ÔÇØ
And the Sufi master replies ÔÇ£What can you tell me about the people who live where you come from?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£AhÔÇØ says the visitor in fond remembrance, ÔÇ£they are wonderful people. TheyÔÇÖre kind, gentle & compassionate. They look after each other.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Well nowÔÇØ says the Sufi master. ÔÇ£IsnÔÇÖt that a coincidence? ThatÔÇÖs exactly what theyÔÇÖre like here.ÔÇØ
But annoying to wear for long, I found. I may still do so on public transport though.I've been very fortunate to have always had lovely neighbours except for once years ago when the owners of a neighbouring house had to go south for work, & let their house for that time. The woman of the house turned out to be one of those people who had conniptions over the smallest things, & screeched loudly about it.
I think the entire suburb heaved a gigantic sigh of relief when they went.
One of my granddaughters has a friend who's one of those people who lift your spirits without even trying; I met him back when they were both in early teens & hadn't seen him for years till I went into a shop he happened to be working & he recognised me, which made my day.
The talk of neighbours reminded me of this ancient Sufi parable.
A stranger enters a village & immediately looks for the Sufi master to ask advice. He says, ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm thinking of moving to live in this village. What can you tell me about the people who live here?ÔÇØ
And the Sufi master replies ÔÇ£What can you tell me about the people who live where you came from?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Ah,ÔÇØ says the visitor angrily ÔÇ£they are terrible people. They are robbers, cheats & liars. They stab each other in the back.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Well nowÔÇØ says the Sufi master ÔÇ£IsnÔÇÖt that a coincidence? ThatÔÇÖs exactly what theyÔÇÖre like here.ÔÇØ
So the man departs the village & is never seen again.
Soon, another stranger enters the village & he too seeks out the Sufi master for advice. He says ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm thinking about moving to live in this village. What can you tell me about the people who live here?ÔÇØ
And the Sufi master replies ÔÇ£What can you tell me about the people who live where you come from?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£AhÔÇØ says the visitor in fond remembrance, ÔÇ£they are wonderful people. TheyÔÇÖre kind, gentle & compassionate. They look after each other.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Well nowÔÇØ says the Sufi master. ÔÇ£IsnÔÇÖt that a coincidence? ThatÔÇÖs exactly what theyÔÇÖre like here.ÔÇØ
in order to be old & wise, you must first be young & stupid. (I'm still working on that.)