Watching a Parade through a Hole in the Fence.

MS Clipart

I heard a story once, I don’t remember where, or even when any more….but I summed it up in the following quote:

 “Life is like watching a parade from behind a tall solid fence through a fallen knothole.” –Tammy Bennett

The story, as I remember it, suggested that there was a grand parade taking place, with activity and spectacular displays of merriment. So much fun happening that to not be a part of it would be an exponential loss.

 However, since the solid fence, in theory, separates us all from the full grandeur of Life in all of its glory -we are oftentimes looking to some extent through a knot hole in a solid fence.  The view that we see of the parade is limited by our own view from the parade route.  We can’t see what others see along the route, just our small portion of it.

Think about it, we are in our own individual circumstances, looking through the small hole, and we subscribe to what is before us. You can neither look down the street to see what is coming, or up the street to see what has gone before. We are here, in the present with what is in front of us. I pray today that we do not judge the lives of those who have much, or those who have little.  But be where you are, and be grateful. The prayer of St Francis has always resonated with me:

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy. –

(First Stanza) St Francis

 Please know that we are looking on only in part, we don’t see the whole parade of Life in its entirety. Understand that you are gifted with your view, use what you have been given, share with others, and enjoy with gratitude what you have. Blessings~