Bright
Shiny Objects
“And so
it is, that both the Devil and the angelic Spirit present us with
objects of desire to awaken our power of choice.”
Rumi
While I tried to research
a topic this morning, flashing ads popped up across the screen,
blocking content, and distracting me from reading. It's hard enough
for someone my age to stay focused on a given subject; to have things
flashing before my eyes makes if even more difficult. Sandals,
tunics, insurance, car deals, whatever one can sell or buy banged against my retinas. I suppose this form of advertising is productive or
businesses wouldn't do it, but for me it is extremely counter
productive. I wouldn't buy any of these products simply to protest
having my research interrupted by their annoying ads.
But, it did bring me to
this Rumi quote: “You know the value of every article of
merchandise, but if you don't know the value of your own soul, it's
all foolishness.” Now that I can get behind! Sometimes we
humans remind me of racoons, who love shiny objects, and will even
enter a trap to get their hands on one. Now, there's a metaphor for
you! Love of shiny objects—whether garishly bright flashy sandals,
apple-red sports cars, or super-gold bling—is a trap of sorts,
don't you think? What they manage to do is distract us from the one
thing that truly matters—as Rumi says, our own souls.
The soul needs very
little in the way of bright shiny objects—only the moon and the
stars, and perhaps a few mystical sunsets. The soul needs sunshine
sparkling on ocean waves, and fireflies rising out of grass. It needs
the light of a super-moon rising at sundown, and the brightness of
our own glowing spirits to illuminate the dark passages of this
world. Nothing to buy or sell here—it's all free for the taking.
In the Spirit
Jane
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