Confucius said:
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; Second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and Third, by experience, which is bitterest.
Confucius was a smart guy. He obviously thought about stuff. Far be it for me to improve on Confucius, but I think that the third method of learning should not be the bitterest, but the bittersweetest (assuming that’s a word). To me learning always has an element of sweetness even if the lesson is forced upon you, because you have come away with something. The process may be unpleasant, the result not so much.
I am going on a road trip, something that I love. Living in a big city, there are not many occasions where I just get to drive on the open road, listening to music and savouring my inner dialogue. It’s one of my ways to get perspective, experience the new and possibly unexpected and see some of this great country. Here’s to the getting of wisdom through door number 1.
On this trip, I will be travelling to Queensland…..beautiful one day, perfect the next…. to visit a friend. I feel doubly lucky with this one, because at the end of the trip there will be more getting of wisdom though some much needed girlfriend therapy – open doors number 2 and 3!
Everyone needs to do something daily that feeds their soul. It can be something as simple as taking 20 minutes to get out of the artifice of air-conditioning, looking at flowers, breathing deeply, whatever…. I never used to make time to do that, thinking I was always too busy or that the feeding had to come through some grand, complex experience.
Now, it’s the single most important thing I do daily. My family relies on me to be there for them. I am the root, they are the tree. If the root is not healthy and fed, neither is the tree. It is my responsibility to ensure I get fed, other people can feed me, but they do not have an obligation to … they can be unreliable, even with the best of intentions and love in the world. A well fed, healthy root system gives back abundantly – more fruit, more shade, and more structure.
Love this – thanks zazzle.com.au
I’m leaving the males in my family behind as the guardians of the castle and can only hope that they don’t run out of paper and cordial. What’s that saying again about absence and heart fondness…?
The curtain raising bus is hitting the highway and is looking forward to coming back with some road trip widsom.
Happy mother’s day to all of the mum’s out there!!
Raising the Curtain 
Have a wonderful trip! Sounds delightful. Always wanted to see Queensland, you will have to post pictures! Be safe and have a glorious time. I leave tomorrow on a road trip also, to Washington, D.C. for my daughter’s baby shower. Will be thinking of you as we travel up. Thanks for this post.
Thanks DAF. I hope you enjoyed or in fact are still enjoying your road trip to DC and visiting your family.
we are back home and getting ready to go on a camping trip. looking forward to being home and quiet next week. thought of you all last week as we travelled, hope you had/or are having a wonderful visit.
Love this post. It is so true. It took me a long time to realize that not only was it okay to take time for myself but also a necessity. Thanks for reaffirming what we sometimes tend to forget. Have a wonderful and safe trip!!
I had a great trip, Wendy and so glad to see you back posting regularly. We mothers are really good at forgetting this stuff.
Ah, the open road. Have a wonderful time.
Thanks and I did! Saw some great places, will post pics shortly.
Nothing better than a road trip Judes! The tree root analogy is a reminder for me…..take care and enjoy!
Thanks Dom, the root analogy applies to anyone who has dependants.
I’d love to go to Wikipedia and find “He was a smart guy who thought about stuff” in the entry for Confucius. Seriously, have a great time!
This is the down to earth, no sugar coating blog. Thanks and I did and looking forward to getting back into the blogging world. Seriously, I’m not into fancy titles and all that stuff 😉
What a great philosophy! It really is true, that the root needs to be healthy. Writing is the healthiest thing I think I do. 😉
Thanks for swinging by! Writing is so very healthy, as is any other means of creative expression. I put my creative expression on the backburner for so many years and am loving it now that it has moved more to the front!
hope you’re having fun! happy belated mothers’ day to you. totally agree with the root and tree analogy, or rather root and leaves of a tree.
I had a blast and thankyou, munteng. Thanks also for swinging by my blog!