Daily Prompt: That Stings

Franz Kafka said, we ought to read only books that bite and sting us.” What’s the last thing you read that bit and stung you?

The book I’m reading now is, ‘The Miracle of Mindfulness’, on my trip to Montreal , I rented an apartment from a local French landlord. I noticed his shelf was full of French books, but there were only a few English ones. I picked up one and was fascinated by the title.

I opened the book, the title of the first chapter was, The Essential Discipline, I wanted to find out what he meant by it. I started reading, it was interesting and I continued reading, I noticed on the third page there was a  line ,Washing the dishes to wash the dishes. What does he mean by this I questioned myself, I read on to find the answer. I know I wash dishes morning,noon and night and in-between,I never came across this phrase, ‘Washing the dishes to wash the dishes.’

My curiosity was at its height, I must find out the meaning I thought. On the last paragraph the author explained what he meant by that phrase,he says, “while washing the dishes one should only be washing the dishes one should be completely aware of the fact that one is washing the dishes.At first glance ,that might seem a little silly: Why put so much stress on a simple thing? But that’s precisely the point. The fact that I am standing there and washing these bowls is a wondrous reality. I’m being completely myself,following my breath,conscious of my presence, and conscious of my thoughts and actions.There’s no way I can be tossed around mindlessly like a bottle slapped here and there on the waves.”

I was impressed I decided immediately I must have the book. I went out to Indigo book store, inquired about the book, the lady at the store told me she had two copies, I rushed upstairs, there was only one, I grabbed the book paid for it and came home. I have it now, it’s one  I think should not be read at once. There are a lot of things in it and very valuable.

I’d say this one bit and stung me. It’s worth every penny I spent to get it! 🙂

……………………………. 🙂

 

 

365 Writing Prompts: A source of Anxiety

Write about a noise—–or even a silence— that won’t go away(We’ll let you interpret this in different ways…)

“Silence is not always golden.” I found out recently, if it is too quiet in my house something is going on, especially my kittens they must be up to something.

One day our two felines, Raphael and Gabriel were unusually quiet, I was happy thinking they were napping, I ignored their silence and concentrated on my work.

I was deep in thought  when the sound of meow brought me back to reality, I got up to find out where the felines were, sure enough they were busy chewing the cover of my new book.

I just said, “now I know why you two were so quiet.”

https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/365-writing-pr…rce-of-anxiety

365 days Writing Prompt: Shape up or ship out

Write a letter to the personality trait you like least, convincing it to shape up or ship out. Be as threatening , theatrical , or thoroughly charming as is necessary to get the job done.

D ear Cynic,

You have a lot going for you, you are smart,educated and have a beautiful family that some wish they could have,yet your dealings with the very people who helped you  reach where you are is deplorable. You are selfish, conceited these are traits I absolutely abhor, you think you’ll always have this life and you don’t have to make concessions for the people who are always there when you need them.

Let me bring you back to reality,there will come a time when all these people whom you are treating badly, will leave you and nothing you say or do will make any difference, they’d be so fed up they’ll even stay away from your shadow.

There is still time for you to mend your ways, you might still have some hope if you turn around and change for good. So either you make yourself presentable to others or my dear the clock is ticking, you may face a day when no one would come to your assistance.

Do not wait until that day!

Sincerely,

Well-wisher

k: https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/365-days-writing-prompt/

DP Daily Prompt: Back To School Post By Ranu

philosophy (Photo credit: Leonard John Matthews)

The one subject that has interested  me for a long time is the study of Philosophy. Since it is connected with reality,existence,knowledge,values,reason,mind and language. I feel I will learn a lot from studying reality,existence and all the rest.

When I am curious about something and ask why that is so,I am told this is reality. Reality in a layman’s language would be it is  what you see. I think it is deeper than what I see.I am not convinced with this answer.

I know it comes from the Greek word Philosophia,which means love of wisdom.

I think it is a subject that I’d like to explore.