Trees and towns... ~Paulo Coelho~

In the Mojave desert, one often comes across those famous ghost towns that were built around the gold mines. They were abandoned when all the gold had been mined out. They had served their purpose and there was no reason for anyone to go on living there.

When we walk through a forest, we see trees which, once they have served their purpose, have fallen. However, unlike ghost towns, their fall has opened up space for light to penetrate, they have enriched the soil and their trunks are covered in new vegetation.

Our old age will depend on the way we have lived. We can either end up like a ghost town or like a generous tree, which continues to be important even after its fall.

~Paulo Coelho~

Never cut what you can untie.

Never cut what you can untie.

~Joseph Joubert~
[French Author 1754-1824]

Never cut what you can untie.

'Success' By Bessie Anderson Stanley [1905]

He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;
who has gained the respect of intelligent men and
the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others and
given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.

~'Success' By Bessie Anderson Stanley [1905]~