Yet Another Lighter Note

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."

-- Isaiah 11:6

I made a promise to my daughter that I would try to lighten up, occasionally, and try to write something a tad less serious and dramatic than the timely issues we are faced with day to day. To this end, I published the previous post; I have always found that children and animals can teach us much about simply being. Sometimes we wonder if it isn't simply because they haven't experienced enough to become jaded, or hurt enough to become tentative. Maybe they just haven't discovered their true nature. After all, we are what we are; it is the nature of the beast. But, does it have to be? 

One morning, when passing a stream, an old man saw a scorpion floating helplessly in the water. As the scorpion was washed closer to the tree, the old man quickly stretched himself out on one of the long roots that branched out into the river and reached out to rescue the drowning creature. As soon as he touched it, the scorpion stung him. Instinctively the man withdrew his hand. 

A minute later, after he had regained his balance, he stretched himself out again on the roots to save the scorpion. This time the scorpion stung him so badly with its poisonous tail that his hand became swollen and bloody and his face contorted with pain.

At that moment, a passerby saw the old man stretched out on the roots struggling with the scorpion and shouted: "Hey, what's wrong with you? Only a fool would risk his life for the sake of an ugly, evil creature. Don't you know you could kill yourself trying to save that ungrateful scorpion?"

Without taking his eyes from the scorpion the old man replied, "My friend, just because it is the scorpion's nature to sting, that does not change my nature to save."

-- Parable: The Old Man and the Scorpion

I read the parable, above, and wonder why more of us aren't like the old man.  Animals do what they do because they have to, to survive.  We do what we do because we want to; we exercise choice and utilize our "superior" intellect.  Just because we can do a thing doesn't mean we must do that thing.  We are human, after all, right?  Well, I offer up the following photos for your enlightenment and enjoyment.

Even though the tiger is seemingly licking its lips at the prospect of piglet tartar, I will credit the gorgeous killing machine as being Jewish.  Aren't these peculiar friendships telling of what we should all be practicing?  Yes, it may seem as though it is in our nature to be what we are, but we would be better served to see our nature as what we have learned to become, rather than what we have to be.

Human nature is not inherently bad, though organized religion and society might have us think so.  What we have come to believe is our nature is really learned aspects of our nature.  What is learned can be unlearned, can be changed.  I challenge everyone to consider their relationships with others.  Are those relationships confrontational?  Do you jump to anger easily?  Do you shake hands with others, or are you a hugger?  When was the last time you offered a stranger a kind word or a smile?  When you look in the mirror, do you see the leopard which lies down with the kid or do you see an asshole?  And, think about this... do photos of you, with others, reflect what you feel about the photos above?

Sometimes the best friendships can seem like strange bedfellows but, then, what do I know?  I just write this stuff, right?  And, it is just my opinion.

Have another glorious day in paradise!

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with a world renowned Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.