I posted this short 'story' below more than 4 years ago on my original blog, and 'til this day, I still quite don't understand the full meaning of it. It's from the wonderful Idries Shah's Reflections [not Spo-Reflections, but he'll prolly have his own series of books soon enough! heh!] - one of Idries' many lovely books. By far, this little book called Reflections is probably my all time favorite!!
How would you decipher it? Good Wednesday everyone! xoxo
Seeing an old lady of evident serenity and knowledge sitting opposite me on a train, I leant forward and asked her:
'What wisdom can you pass on to me?'
She said:
'Young man, all I have got to say is that life has been a great disappointment to me!'
Text: Idries Shah
Comments (5)
Not to expect anything since expecatation usually leads to disappointment. When you don't expect, everything that happens is a surprise...
Posted by Kris | October 26, 2007 11:58 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 11:58
I take it to mean this: Jus' 'cause you old and look smart and serene don't mean shit. :)
Posted by D-Man | October 25, 2007 9:40 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 21:40
life has a lot of dissapointments; and accepting it is part of the wisdom - which in itself is a disappointment !
Posted by urspo | October 18, 2007 7:19 PM
Posted on October 18, 2007 19:19
I'm not sure what the old lady means either, maybe she's had an off day (or life!).
It kind of reminds me of a scene in an episode of Doctor Who, where Sally Sparrow, the main character of that particular episode meets a man she met a few hours ago again. The last time they met, he'd asked her out. But since this is a time travel story, the man has spent 50 years of his life and he's rather older now and on his deathbed.
His line to her is a classic: "Life is long... and you are hot!"
Posted by alkam | October 18, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on October 18, 2007 10:56
With age and look of wisdom doesn't always come happiness. Some live their entire lives in disappointment. I seem to always be questioning my happiness. Thanks for the comment Robert! Happy Hump Day!
Posted by Derek | October 17, 2007 3:48 PM
Posted on October 17, 2007 15:48