Thought for today:
"I must admit to liking things of antiquity in my house, but even precious artefacts can never bring as much pleasure to one's eyes as the smile of a happy and healthy child. So as far as the things I own go, if it pains too much to experience them broken in an accident, then better they not be part of my possessions at all has been my motto for many years.
Consider: you are visited by your neighbour and her child. During the visit, the child accidentally knocks over and breaks a much-treasured item on a table. The apologies of the child's mother is profuse as the shocked child begins to appreciate the enormity of their boisterous behaviour. At his precise moment, it is far better for the owner of the broken item to remember that however precious in sentimental value the artifact was, the objects of the accidental collision was an ornament on one side and a child on the other.
The host should realise that in the grand scale of things, the feelings of the small child matters far more and is of much greater importance than the beautiful broken ornament. No price can ever be placed upon the hurt feeling of an individual nor any amount of wealth purchase the comfort of a friendly visitor to your home. I would sooner break a Ming vase or some other valuable artefact than break the wings of a butterfly or stir hurt and guilt in an innocent child." William Forde: October 22nd, 2015.
"I must admit to liking things of antiquity in my house, but even precious artefacts can never bring as much pleasure to one's eyes as the smile of a happy and healthy child. So as far as the things I own go, if it pains too much to experience them broken in an accident, then better they not be part of my possessions at all has been my motto for many years.
Consider: you are visited by your neighbour and her child. During the visit, the child accidentally knocks over and breaks a much-treasured item on a table. The apologies of the child's mother is profuse as the shocked child begins to appreciate the enormity of their boisterous behaviour. At his precise moment, it is far better for the owner of the broken item to remember that however precious in sentimental value the artifact was, the objects of the accidental collision was an ornament on one side and a child on the other.
The host should realise that in the grand scale of things, the feelings of the small child matters far more and is of much greater importance than the beautiful broken ornament. No price can ever be placed upon the hurt feeling of an individual nor any amount of wealth purchase the comfort of a friendly visitor to your home. I would sooner break a Ming vase or some other valuable artefact than break the wings of a butterfly or stir hurt and guilt in an innocent child." William Forde: October 22nd, 2015.
