Zen Story: Is That So?
The Zen master Hakuin was praised by his neighbors as one living a pure life. A beautiful Japanese girl whose parents owned a food store lived near him. Suddenly, without any warning, her parents discovered she was with child. This made her parents angry. She would not confess who the man was, but after much harassment at last named Hakuin.
In great anger the parent went to the master. “Is that so?” was all he would say.
After the child was born it was brought to Hakuin. By this time he had lost his reputation, which did not trouble him, but he took very good care of the child. He obtained milk from his neighbors and everything else he needed. A year later the girl-mother could stand it no longer. She told her parents the truth – the real father of the child was a young man who worked in the fish market. The mother and father of the girl at once went to Hakuin to ask forgiveness, to apologize at length, and to get the child back.
Hakuin was willing. In yielding the child, all he said was: “Is that so?”
France. “ Qui vivra verra” Time will tell. Even if the future is uncertain, those who survive will discover the outcomes. No matter how hard we try to predict the future, only time will tell how things turn out.
A country like France with a vibrant, tantalizing history knows well to step back and observe, allowing life to play out and time to tell its story. “Qui vivra verra” – who will live will see.
In the midst of uncertainties in our world there is only one course. Learn what you can. Do what you can. Then let go and Live! The French have this zest for life. If you can’t change it, let it go, enjoy the day! And they do!
Travel is one of life’s great pleasures and there are many different ways to fill up your passport. Venturing to some of the most unique sights on this planet will do more than just fill your camera with Insta-worthy pictures. In fact, turn your phone off and just soak in the beauty and uniqueness that the world has to offer. Although Europe hasn’t been the focus of our past 20 years of non-stop global wandering; Joseph and I have been to France over 40 times combined. Joseph flew to Paris on business many times a year and we both have visited France since we were young. We have strolled the Champs-Élysées, marveled at the exquisite art in the Louvre, climbed the Eiffel Tower, dined on fine food and wine, driven through the countryside to Provence, played at Monte Carlo and the seaside, and now sailed into the south of France via cruise ship. We have tasted a sample of France; the lively and sometimes indifferent people, the cultural treasures, the zest of life.
Enchanted by the French or not, really doesn’t matter; mostly to the French. Did you know that France is the most-visited country in the world? On a good year close to 90 million come to bask in the rich history and arts.
For such a little country it is big on personality. The Louvre in Paris is the largest art museum in the world. This museum is so big that if you wanted to spend 30 seconds looking at each piece of art, it would take you approximately 100 days to get through the entire museum.
French is the official language of 29 countries in the world. (Canada being one of them). The National Motto: Liberté, égalitié, fraternité. Interesting Fact: this is also the national motto of Haiti. It means Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. France had a King who only lasted 20 minutes. We can each think of several in our own countries that should have met the same fate!
On to the really important cultural facts: The French consume over 11 million glasses of wine, 25 tons of snails or escargot, and produce 1500 different types of cheese annually. Notorious for being unfriendly to vegetarians we were happy to note that like the rest of Europe, vegan dishes and vegetarian cafes are springing up throughout the country.
Now with the steady stream of immigrants, French flavors are exploding. No longer is a sloshed Julia Childs, the French Chef, pouring mounds of full cream on every dish but rather a variety of international tastes await the palate.
Bandol, France, 10 km away, is where we exchanged homes with a French couple over 40 years ago. We had access to their 60 ft. yacht and Mercedes and a choice of their villa in Provence or their beach condo in Bandon. We chose the condo and spent a lovely month on the French Riviera; in this quaint seaside town. We left our older Volvo, dog, and 3 bedroom log home with a large stone fireplace and gardens; in the middle of 100 acres of crown timber on Vancouver Island, Canada; to Gene and his wife for that month. They loved it! We loved it! Home exchanging is a great way to see the world. We meet many people who do this! In fact working hard, then having a home or apartment to exchange or rent out seems to be one of the main avenues of income for travelers. Or sell the property and invest the money wisely (not the stock market) and live off the interest. Most people are not wise with money, and live paycheck to paycheck or spend money as soon as they get it or spend money before they get it on credit. Serious travelers make their wants simple and figure a way to finance their ‘travel habit’!
On shore was the colorful Cours LaFayette Market and between exploring back alleys and strolling the harbor we found a quaint little café and sampled the fare. Shoppers were bustling about, little dogs in tow. We even happened on a comic book festival where action figures came to life, prowling the back alleys! The first one certainly caught us off guard. We were joined by new friends, Jerome and Sylvia, from the southern USA. These dear folks have fallen in love with cruising and usually take one of the two exclusive, large ocean view suites at the bow of the boat. Riding the Wind, as in the Titanic, they are hanging on enjoying every minute. “Vivre votre vie au maximum!”
Let go and Live!
And so it goes……………………Next we set sail for hot- blooded, vibrant Spain. Until then Keep Laughing, Keep Living Life to the Fullest, and remember not to worry about the future. Time will tell. Let go and Live! Take care and keep in touch!!
Love, Light & Laughter,
xo Nancy & Joseph
