"Become peace. Bathe all you meet with your serenity. In doing so, peace will be abundantly yours." - Zen Wisdom
The world is one big ocean...
It holds many secrets...
It holds many treasures...
It holds many dangers...
"To love our enemy is impossible. The moment we understand our enemy, we feel compassion towards him/her,
and he/she is no longer our enemy." - Thich Nhat Hanh
We live the lives of hermit crabs in this vast ocean we call the world.
Always afraid of what is around us...
Always hiding in our shells...
Always suffering...
"May we be free from suffering and the root of suffering." - Pema Chodron
We build walls around us...
To keep us safe...
To protect us from those we fear the most...
To protect us from the world...
"The world is a mirror: what we see is who we are." - Zen Wisdom
Are we to remain here? Prisoners of our own barriers?
Are we to remain hidden away, where we see nothing else?
Are we to remain victims of our own personal suffering?
Or do we finally decide to break away from these walls?
"When no one is doing what you think is right, do it yourself." - Zen Wisdom
You are picked up from the dirt.
You hide in your shell.
You fear what is to come next.
But then...
Courage. You have courage. You see that which holds you.
And realize that you really are safe
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion" - The Dalai Lama
Look all around from the hand that holds you.
What is it that you see?
There are many, many others who have washed up on the shore.
There are many others out there who are also suffering.
You are not alone. Everyone suffers in this world.
"When you are mindful, you realize that the other person suffers. You see his or her suffering,
and suddenly you don't want him or her to suffer anymore." - Thich Nhat Hanh
It is at this very moment, you may begin to wonder what you can do to help.
Leave the high place you have been taken to, return to the sand below...
"Real compassion comes from seeing the suffering of others. You feel a sense of responsibility,
and you want to do something for them." - The Dalai Lama
Help those you can.
Lead them back to the water.
So they are no longer suffering as you were, unprotected and afraid.
Be their peace
"Love relieves suffering." - Thich Nhat Hanh
Remember that you cannot help everyone...
But try to help those you can.
And then you will realize the truth about us all.
We may all look different on the outside,
But we all share one thing in common:
We all want an end to our suffering.
When we share our peace and happiness with others,
They share it with those they meet,
And happiness, peace, and an end to suffering spreads across the world.
"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared. " - The Buddha
We are all hermit crabs in this grand ocean of the world.
Yet we do not have to live a life of fear.
Spread happiness to those around you, and you will relieve their suffering.
And in return, you will find your own peace, outside of your own shell.
If I wasn't leaving in about a half an hour i'd finish this up. I've got another 'slideshow' of a different hermit crab walking on my hand that I may use later, or I may just leave it with that one.
Mhmm, I'm focusing on the Buddhist practice of loving kindness and compassion toward others. It was one of the notions I studied that really opened my eyes. There will be a big part of it at the end of this, thanks for the support X3
I went ahead and finished it now. I can still add in more hermit crabs to the drawing picture if anyone decides to draw any more, it's not a problem at all.
I hope you guys enjoy this. It was a real eye-opener for me at the beach seeing all the hermit crabs washed up on the shore, and it made me think about a lesson I learned in Buddhism that I will always remember - we all suffer, no matter who we are.
This is beautiful, Quad. Very moving. On a slightly unrelated note, it reminds me of when I used to play with hermit crabs when I was a kid, and I'm blessed to be reminded of those memories.
I hope what I did with the drawings was okay. I had a little trouble putting them all together in one picture so that is why I didn't do anything better with the background. I tried to give a sand effect anyway
Thanks guys, I loved coming up with this and am glad it is enjoyable.
This is just beautiful, Quad, just beautiful TwT
I always love the lessons you have to teach, they always manage to touch something deep inside of me TwT
...
And I honestly didn't think you'd add the head hermit crab, I realized once reading this how out of place it was XDDD
XD Chickenwhite, your head hermit crab fits perfectly! I mean come on - we have a samurai, a Jango Fett, a Tardis, even a Fez hat crab! It's supposed to show that we're all different and unique, and that hermit crab of yours is a wonderful addition! :3
Just a note, guys - i'll still add some hermit crab drawings to the picture, but they'll be on the spaces on the edges if that's okay. I've got one more from Innisen to add at least, so please feel free to draw them if you're still interested. I'll make sure to add in your name to the credits at the top, too.
Thanks for the feedback. And here's the link to that youtube video. If you look up 'relaxing music' or 'ocean music' you'll find all kinds of nice music like that on youtube
Oh, now I understand the sense of all those different crabs : -D Lovely
And I absolutely aggree with your message. I try to support others, especially if they have the same problems as I had once. But it's not easy I'll take it so heart.
But sometimes I wish more people would help other ones who have a problem which they don't have. But I guess it's difficult to understand for them... :-/
Very nice - great idea with the hermit crabs ^^. Thank you for this
This is lovely, I found some peace in it.
I really want to immerse myself in what you created for this community, all this work you've put together is amazing...But 8D, I really get myself lost with all your blogs...dunno where to start.
I hope you enjoy reading these, and thank you again for commenting and the support. My writing would have never grown to where it is now without this community.
:D!
This is lovely so far, love
If I wasn't leaving in about
Thanks for the support so far XD
I love this already. I might
Mhmm, I'm focusing on the
Awwh. I love this.
tracking to read later 8D
I can't wait to see the
c8
(No subject)
I actually have some time
Aww, this is so lovely TwT
I went ahead and finished it
I hope you guys enjoy this. It was a real eye-opener for me at the beach seeing all the hermit crabs washed up on the shore, and it made me think about a lesson I learned in Buddhism that I will always remember - we all suffer, no matter who we are.
Hmm, I like this
This is beautiful, Quad. Very
That is so nice! Hopefully
♥
This turned out wonderfully,
I hope what I did with the
Thanks guys, I loved coming up with this and am glad it is enjoyable.
This is just beautiful, Quad,
I always love the lessons you have to teach, they always manage to touch something deep inside of me TwT
...
And I honestly didn't think you'd add the head hermit crab, I realized once reading this how out of place it was XDDD
XD Chickenwhite, your head
Aww, thanks, Quad XD I'm just
Just a note, guys - i'll
Just gotta note, you placed
Beautifully done.
This is awesome. =D
Aaww this was really nice. I
This is really nice and
I've been listening to that music now for probably half an hour, it's so relaxing. =D
Thanks for the feedback. And
Come on people! I want to see
I've come back to this multiple times now. Still love it!
Simply beautiful.
So fabulous!!!
*bumping for anyone who may
This is amazing Quad!
I missed this yesterday
♥
(No subject)
Beautifully done Quad, really a wonderful piece. You've managed to capture a beautiful lesson and portray it in such a unique and splendid way.
...poor Fezcrab! He's gonna be nommed! xD
I like what you have done
It's very beautiful.
Oh, now I understand the
And I absolutely aggree with your message. I try to support others, especially if they have the same problems as I had once. But it's not easy
But sometimes I wish more people would help other ones who have a problem which they don't have. But I guess it's difficult to understand for them... :-/
Very nice - great idea with the hermit crabs ^^. Thank you for this
Awww.... This is very sweet,
This is lovely, I found some
I really want to immerse myself in what you created for this community, all this work you've put together is amazing...But 8D, I really get myself lost with all your blogs...dunno where to start.
Thanks for the support. I'm
Here you go - Quad's Directory of Writing
As for somewhere to start, hmm...haha I've written quite a bit so I'm not so sure myself.
Here's a few I think you'll enjoy:
The Spirit of Anger
The Hunt
A Deer's Blessing
Out of the Nest
Paragons of Earth
The Spider's Home
Naturespark
Becoming Part of the Forest
The Journey Ahead
Metamorphose
Birds
I hope you enjoy reading these, and thank you again for commenting and the support. My writing would have never grown to where it is now without this community.
Beautiful, Quad