IT IS THE PROVINCE OF KNOWELDGE TO SPEAK,

AND IT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF WISDOM TO LISTEN.

                                                                  -Oliver Wendell Holmes

I write, and then I say, "who am I to write such and such ? After all, I am but  fallen and

much bruised. What right, what gall I ask...why bother ?

I do realize that as my Path winds round the Mountain, the view changes, and my view personal view changes. What once I knew (or thought I knew), has ameliorated. Indeed I have softened, and as of late I have allowed some of the love and attention I have lavished on others (and even tears) to spill onto myself.

Often I have said : "I can't Dance...my shoes are too tight !" Well I have as of late learned not to tie them so tight...and even loosen them to the flopping of the aglets.

I have always joked about the fictitious Books I have written : " How To Preach by One Who Knows"( the secret being the tears one sheds prior), and I say it is the sequel to my best-seller " Humility and How I Attained It". Alas, as I ripen and age, I am humbled, and as Churchill would say, "and with much to be humble about !"

Indeed, I am also one twice blessed. Even now I am finally surviving my War (VietNam), yet as you know I am suffering its aftermath, or so I am told. (I have learned the words of Dr. Norman Cousins : "Never deny a diagnosis, but do deny the negative verdict that might go with it !")

I am learning, in a very personal way to "take the Cookie"!

I know, I know "taking the Cookie, and , eating the Cookie" have varied shades of meaning, and thus that is the way ‘the cookie crumbles'! (HHHMMmmmnnn)

Allow me to share this true story from my marriage of 25 years Plus; ( YES, Indeed she is a remarkable woman !) Once, as my wife and I were cleaning the kitchen, my Son Thad, then about 14 months old or so, came into the kitchen with his bottle in his mouth and a boneing-knife in the other hand, of course carrying it by the blade. I kinda freaked-out, my mind racing as what to do. If I yelled, he would be scared, and squeeze his little hand around the knife with dire consequences, and if I reached for the knife, I would cut his fingers...Oh what to do ! All the while, my wife Dawn simply reached into the Cookie Jar and offered him a Cookie. Thad instantly dropped the knife and took the Cookie. I was relieved, and Dawn simply went about the kitchen...

Choosing the Cookie...I think that is what "walking the Path is about" !

Dropping the Knife (Ungrasping) and taking that which offers sustenance for the Journey!

This or That, it's that simple ! Andrew Carnegie, the great Scottish / American Manufacturer and Philanthropist, who built many many Libraries across America said : "You can read this book or that book, but you can't read both books".

Life, walking the Path, is about choices, actually opting for something !

Dissolving isn't enough, and releasing isn't enough...we are required to "Let Go" !

Letting Go of the past, and allowing the pain to dissolve and pass into the mist of forgetfulness, yet keeping the lessons learned in our hearts. Dropping the Knife and actually taking the Cookie, and eating it and experiencing  life to the fullest !

Perhaps then we can all cease holding onto pain until it turns into anger, and pleasure until it turns into addiction...

Enjoy the Cookie

  Fred