Experience Meets Innocence: Are You The Tiger or The Lamb?

“You are an angel, and your life is your message. You can be a messenger of lies, fear, and destruction; or a messenger of truth, love, and creation. But you cannot deliver lies and truth at the same time.” Don Miguel Ruiz

Experience: A Tiger snarls... by Michael Nichols via NG

I get a Daily Inspirational quote from Don Miguel Ruiz’s mailings; each, a pithy reflection and refreshing insight on life and how we choose to live it. Don Miguel is the author of The Four Agreements, The Fifth Agreement, and a host of other uplifting books. He is truly a gifted healer and writer.

The quote above arrived on Saturday and got me thinking about how we choose to present ourselves to the world. Do we show ourselves fully? Or Do we show our masks; our strengths juxtaposed against our struggles?

As I read and re-read the quote, my sister called and we chatted about the mixed messages people get today; we are constantly bombarded by messages and messengers pitching good and evil, steals and scams, and bargains and baloney… We sway here and there, caught up in the dance, fine-tuning our radar as we move along. Experience meets innocence and vise versa. Sometimes, the lines blur… How do we know the difference?

As we discussed this matter, we both agreed that we are fully ensconced in the age of experience and innocence; there is much to learn and much to add to what we already know or else … we self-destruct. Somehow, William Blake’s two poems seeped their way into the heart of our conversation; the juxtaposition of great good and profound evil, the messages of innocence and that of experience…

Blake’s “The Tyger” is one of his most important “Songs of Experience” that examines the terror that exists in our world even as we glorify that which is pure and good in “The Lamb.” “The Lamb” is an equally important poem from Blake‘s “Songs of Innocence” that contrasts the fear and terror with messages of blessings and benevolence. Did our Creator make both of them?

As the holidays kick in and we overload on the good and not so good stuff, some of us will be singing the blues and others a completely different tune… Did he who made the fecund make the famished? According to don Miguel, we cannot be messengers of both good and evil… Even in a state of confusion and indecision, we still choose; albeit reluctantly. I suspect William Blake would have agreed. I have offered you both poems below.
What are your thoughts?

“Experience, which destroys innocence, also leads one back to it.” James Baldwin

Innocence: Children holding little lambs by Aaron Huey NG

“The Tyger” – From Songs of Experience by William Blake. 1757–1827

Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

“The Lamb” – From Songs of Innocence by William Blake. 1757–1827

Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed,
By the stream and o’er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee,
Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee.
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Little Lamb, God bless thee!

Do share your insights, comments, thoughts…Thank You! 🙂 Sending you wishes for peace & prosperity during this Holiday Season!
Positive Motivation Tip: Embrace that which elevates and eschew that which enervates…

PHOTO CREDITS:
Tiger by by Michael Nichols via National Geographic
Children Holding Lambs by Aaron Huey via National Geographic

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank