Happy Monday, JMG. A few years ago a stuffed animal came into my possession. It was a gift from my out of state mother to my oldest daughter, who wasn’t much more than 2 years old at the time. It was a green cat with a striped pink tail, flowers embroidered on its side, it was, in a word, odd.
As my daughter grew, more and more toys accumulated in our living room. One day, my wife told her that if she wants new toys, some old toys have to go. A bag was put together and to my surprise, the green cat was included. I normally love taking donations to Salvation Army but this time I was hesitant, I felt a Toy Story type of sadness. I should have trusted my instincts for it wasn’t long after that trip, my daughter started asking for the green cat. My wife and mother in-law would dodge the question. When I had enough of that and stated the truth, it was tears and sadness.
I searched online for the same cat with absolutely no luck. I ran back to Salvation Army, discovered their second floor but no green cat. In my searches online, I came across a very charming tiger, a Dream Pet from 1977. I was hypnotized and beyond certain that this new toy could replace the old. The purchase was an ordeal and in retrospect, possibly my first sign. The wait was only a few days but it felt much longer. When the tiger showed up in a repurposed cereal box, I felt triumphant. When my mother in-law saw it, it was an emphatic NO, do not gift that to our baby.
To the Chinese, the tiger represents too much power, he is also considered a guide to the dead. To have such a thing in your possession, you have to be stronger than the force it represents. According to the rough translation I was given, to exert a stronger will can bring great benefit, to be weaker brings misfortune.
For now, my planned surprise gift is no more. That night, after my disappointment, my neighbors cat startled me with her glowing eyes at our back door. I put the tiger up in my office/laundry room and sure enough, a light popped out, and the kitty litter went flying while I was cleaning the box.
Next day I saw a tiger on my daughters iPad and not long after that she had a tummy ache. At this point I’m about to acquiesce and let the tiger go. But before I do, I consider this episode a challenge.
My question is, what practice makes one’s will stronger than a tiger? Meditation, SoP? Any thoughts are appreciated.
Eye of the Tiger
A few years ago a stuffed animal came into my possession. It was a gift from my out of state mother to my oldest daughter, who wasn’t much more than 2 years old at the time. It was a green cat with a striped pink tail, flowers embroidered on its side, it was, in a word, odd.
As my daughter grew, more and more toys accumulated in our living room. One day, my wife told her that if she wants new toys, some old toys have to go. A bag was put together and to my surprise, the green cat was included. I normally love taking donations to Salvation Army but this time I was hesitant, I felt a Toy Story type of sadness. I should have trusted my instincts for it wasn’t long after that trip, my daughter started asking for the green cat. My wife and mother in-law would dodge the question. When I had enough of that and stated the truth, it was tears and sadness.
I searched online for the same cat with absolutely no luck. I ran back to Salvation Army, discovered their second floor but no green cat. In my searches online, I came across a very charming tiger, a Dream Pet from 1977. I was hypnotized and beyond certain that this new toy could replace the old. The purchase was an ordeal and in retrospect, possibly my first sign. The wait was only a few days but it felt much longer. When the tiger showed up in a repurposed cereal box, I felt triumphant. When my mother in-law saw it, it was an emphatic NO, do not gift that to our baby.
To the Chinese, the tiger represents too much power, he is also considered a guide to the dead. To have such a thing in your possession, you have to be stronger than the force it represents. According to the rough translation I was given, to exert a stronger will can bring great benefit, to be weaker brings misfortune.
For now, my planned surprise gift is no more. That night, after my disappointment, my neighbors cat startled me with her glowing eyes at our back door. I put the tiger up in my office/laundry room and sure enough, a light popped out, and the kitty litter went flying while I was cleaning the box.
Next day I saw a tiger on my daughters iPad and not long after that she had a tummy ache. At this point I’m about to acquiesce and let the tiger go. But before I do, I consider this episode a challenge.
My question is, what practice makes one’s will stronger than a tiger? Meditation, SoP? Any thoughts are appreciated.