Some say that my teaching is nonsense.
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
this nonsense makes perfect sense.
And to those who put it into practice,
this loftiness has roots that go deep.
I have just three things to teach:
simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and in thoughts,
you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.
Translation of the Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchel
What is most critical here for me? Simple thoughts put me here, not there but here with Zoe the black and white Border Collie, Jack and Jane the black and white cats. We sit in early morning on our screened porch looking out at the rain aware of the sound of it, the smell of it, the ordinary of it. Patience today is remembering that I don't know the best decision or direction for anyone, including myself. Compassion? Just be nice. Can't I just be nice? Nice covers a wide range of living. Bright-Fey's translation includes ". . . arms ringed as if holding a large tree embracing and holding the vastness of the Tao source of life."
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