Reflections: The Playground Of Life…
“Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be.” Jose Ortega y Gasset
Reflections: The Playground Of Life...
The Playground of Life XIX by Khalil Gibran
One hour devoted to the pursuit of Beauty
And Love is worth a full century of glory
Given by the frightened weak to the strong.From that hour comes man’s Truth; and
During that century Truth sleeps between
The restless arms of disturbing dreams.In that hour the soul sees for herself
The Natural Law, and for that century she
Imprisons herself behind the law of man;
And she is shackled with irons of oppression.That hour was the inspiration of the Songs
Of Solomon, and that century was the blind
Power which destroyed the temple of Baalbek. Contd below
On days when we are caught by life’s little surprises, drawn to distraction by pain, and at a loss for words, a piece by Khalil Gibran helps. The playground we call life is both appealing and annoying, uplifting and upsetting… we stay in the game regardless of conditions; love and beauty help.
“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” Havelock Ellis
Reflections: The Playground Of Life...
That hour was the birth of the Sermon on the
Mount, and that century wrecked the castles of
Palmyra and the Tower of Babylon.That hour was the Hegira of Mohammed and that
Century forgot Allah, Golgotha, and Sinai.One hour devoted to mourning and lamenting the
Stolen equality of the weak is nobler than a
Century filled with greed and usurpation.It is at that hour when the heart is
Purified by flaming sorrow and
Illuminated by the torch of Love.
And in that century, desires for Truth
Are buried in the bosom of the earth.
That hour is the root which must flourish.
That hour of meditation, the hour of
Prayer, and the hour of a new era of good. Contd below
Enjoy the poem which I’ve divided into three sections. I’ve been out of commission but will complete my visits to your blogs soon. Have a phenomenal week ahead and Thank you for your patience… More below.
“Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.” Sholom Aleichem
Reflections: The Playground Of Life...
And that century is a life of Nero spent
On self-investment taken solely from
Earthly substance.This is life.
Portrayed on the stage for ages;
Recorded earthly for centuries;
Lived in strangeness for years;
Sung as a hymn for days;
Exalted but for an hour, but the
Hour is treasured by Eternity as a jewel.
Khalil Gibran
Lyrics via PoemHunter.com
Every second, minute and hour we spend on earth has great value; even when we think we’ve wasted it. Cherish the moments and remember that one of the rules of the playground is to go with the flow and enjoy it. What are your thoughts? Have you read the Gibran poem above? What other poems on Life come to mind? Do you view life as a playground that you enjoy engaging in or as a struggling chore? How did you handle it? Do share! Thank you. 😉
*Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on your blogs and commenting… Thank you all for your patience! 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: Time gives us the illusion that we have endless moments to play. Value each moment and embrace it with love…
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All photos Playground at Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, Aquatic plant garden, Playground Warrior, via Wikipedia and/or via Flickr Poem/Lyrics via PoemHunter.com
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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- Film: Newswire: Salma Hayek is going to make Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet into a movie somehow (avclub.com)
- Khalil Gibran: On Giving And Taking… (eof737.wordpress.com)
- Reflections: Speak To Us Of Children… (eof737.wordpress.com)
I set the intention to see it as a playground of phenomenal creation! Thank you for your post
Good for you! And I bet it manifests as you predicted. 🙂
Yes, life is a playground and we need to remain child-like, but not childish. 🙂
I find that the older I get, the more I respect time and try to wring every precious second out of it that I can.
Thank you for a beautiful post, Elizabeth…your photography always takes my breath away. 🙂
I LOVE the colour in that first pic.
Life is definitely a playground and every moment of play is to be enjoyed to its fullest.
Take your time, Elizabeth. We’ll catch up soon.
I think of life as a playground; a playground that could use a few more strategically placed rubber tiles. I’m tired of scraping my knees on the rough surfaces of life. 😉
Sounds good playgrounds. My children love it and there are various play equipments in my neighborhood. We need it.
As much as life is a play ground, it is also a stage, with each actor exiting after his curtain call. Yes, on the playground, we play, fall, rise again, determined to play better and avoid the falls. But like children, we can never do without the falls, because they make us want to succeed after the hurts. Thanks for sharing.
Neat post Eliz! And nice choice of images..love the ‘Playground Warrior’!
Sadly we attended a memorial service yesterday for a very good friend, and nothing helps me clarify my priorities more than sitting for two hours thinking about life cut short. I am waiting for my granddaughters to wake up as this is my babysitting day–and play we will! And I do honor the need to bring play into each day–some how! Debra
I’m sorry to read about your friend… my condolences to his/her family. I hope your playtime helped some… TY for stopping by.
Good points. I never thought of life as a playground but never thought as a struggling chore either…Thanks for sharing 🙂
Where is that amazing playground?
Hope all is well with you my friend.
b
It is in Japan. I am healing slowly but surely… TY! 🙂
That first thinging with the tether balls hanging from it, as it hangs from the tent it is under, looks like something even I would love to play with. And of course the polo pony (I guess the dude is playing polo ?) makes we want to just plain go riding. I am ready for some fun.
I would love to play there and then sit back and read the poems you send me 🙂
Now THAT is a playground! Goes lovely with your post.
I LOVE the playground picture! I want that in my house 🙂 Well…maybe a scaled down version. I cannot help but smile when I look at that picture. As usual, great post!
Here’s to finding the FUN in every thing that must be done. 😀
Thank you for the reminder on how short time is here and if we view each day as another play day at the playground, how spontaneous and creative we can be in our lives. Have a wonderful day!
Good post. I view life as a playground that I enjoy. Even when the “games” do not go as I would like, I remind myself that at least I had the opportunity to show up and play. 🙂 That in itself is a blessing.
Oh Elizabeth, I do so love your blog….everywhere I turn I am surrounded by wonderful words, quotes, inspiration, joyous moments and lovely photos. I am giving you the Sunshine Award because you fill your followers with Sunshine! http://believeanyway.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/well-sing-in-the-sunshine-well-laugh-every-day/
Thank you for the kindness Kate… Much appreciated. I accept awards but still working on a page for them. 🙂
I like how colorful the first photo is. That is a neat place.
Thank you for stopping by Connie! 🙂
I say Amen to your positive motivation tip.
Thank you Sony! 🙂
I really like this post and the first poem in particular. It seems to give understanding of the ambiguities of our lives and offer solutions. All in all we live in playground full of possibilities.
You always find such wonderful quotes Eliz! Another great post and I definitely try to go with the flow and enjoy life, although the flow sometimes feel a bit bumpy. Hehe. 🙂
“The Road Less Traveled” – Robert Frost, has been prominent in my world lately.
I feel something is amiss. I hope you feel better soon. xoxo
TY and I hope so too… 🙂
I want to play in that first play ground! what a space and perfect photograph of it. with the early arrival of spring I’ve been playing with creative projects, pecking around in the garden with the robins. I do my best to flow and play and there are bumps along the way. Thank you for another inspiring post.
Feel better.
I felt the same way when I saw the photo… love the colors and interactive stuff… Will feel better soon TY! 😉
Wonderfully blessed sharing here that brings so much bursting joy of life into the center of my being RIGHT NOW in viewing this “playground” post! Bless you!
I never ever came across someone defining life in such a way. Life is a play ground, it’s so true. The picture & the quotes are really wonderful. Your every post, is so very inspiring. Excellent post Elizabeth. Keep on inspiring all of us.
I agree, very inspiring. Like Tilly, I love the colours in that first picture!