Safety Tidbits: 8-4

The Tea Master

Lord Yamanouchi, an aristocrat of eighteenth-century Japan, once asked his tea master to accompany him on a visit to Edo (later Tokyo), where he was to stay for a while. He wanted to show off to his fellow courtiers his retainers skill in the rituals of the tea ceremony.

Now, the tea master knew everything there was to know about the tea ceremony, but little else; he was a peaceful man. He dressed, however, like a samurai, as his high position required.

One day, as the tea master was walking in the big city, he was accosted by a samurai who challenged him to a duel. The tea master was not a swordsman and tried to explain this to the samurai, but the man refused to listen. To turn the challenge down would disgrace both the tea masters family and Lord Yamanouchi. He had to accept, though that meant certain death.

And accept he did, requesting only that the duel be put off to the next day. His wish was granted. In panic, the tea master hurried to the nearest fencing school. If he were to die, he wanted to learn how to die honorably. To see the fencing master ordinarily required letters of introduction, but the tea master was so insistent, and so clearly terrified, that at last he was given an interview.

The fencing master listened to his story. The swordsman was sympathetic: he would teach the poor visitor the art of dying, but first he wanted to be served some tea. The tea master proceeded to perform the ritual, his manner calm, his concentration perfect.

Finally, the fencing master yelled out in excitement, “No need for you to learn the art of death! The state of mind you’re in now is enough for you to face any samurai. When you see the challenger, imagine you’re about to serve tea to a guest. Take off your coat, fold it up carefully, and lay your fan on it just as you do at work.” This ritual completed, the tea master was to raise his sword in the same alert spirit. Then he would be ready to die.

The tea master agreed to do as his teacher said. The next day he went to meet the samurai, who could not help but notice the completely calm and dignified expression on his opponents face as he took off his coat. Perhaps, the samurai thought, this fumbling tea master is actually a skilled swordsman. He bowed, begged pardon for his behavior the day before, and hurried away.  Source: Robert Greene, War

Be yourself… you’re an original, and the world is a better place because of you! Never forget that. Remember, each one of us is unique and we should each be proud of who we are… there are millions of stars but only one you. 

And Respect others for who they are, rather than trying to make them who you want them to be.

Sometimes, I forget to thank the amazing people who’ve made my life the awesome ride that it has been…  I forget to say how much I appreciate the friends, family members, and colleagues who have been so important in my life. So, thanks again for riding with me on this Merry-go-round of Life… I am better for knowing you!

Zero Injuries – No one gets hurt!

Be thankful for your allotment in an imperfect world.  Though better circumstances can be imagined, far worse are nearer misses than you probably care to realize. ―Richelle E. Goodrich

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Thanks for the share, WK!