'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana....

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'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana.....
Anonymous Coward User ID: 773837 Israel 09/18/2009 11:27 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... THE MASTERPIECE OR THE MIRROR – THE CHOICE IS OURS First Part Rosh Hashanah Morning Once upon a time ... there was a king who built a great palace. It was magnificent. Each room and each hall was larger and more impressive than the next. But there remained one hall in the palace that was still bare and undecorated. It was long and narrow, and it had high walls. "How should it be decorated?" wondered the king. He finally decided to hold a competition and invited all the artists of the land to submit their works. The king picked two artists who impressed him. He brought them to the great hall, and showed them its bare walls. "I propose to give you a year." the king explained. "You may both live here in the palace. I will provide you with whatever you need. You may have all the paints and materials you require. You may hire all the assistants you need." Pointing to the wall on the right, the king said to the first artist, "You will paint this wall.” And motioning to the wall on the left, he said to the second artist, “You will paint that wall." "I will return in one year, and I will judge. I will choose the one who has done the finest work, and I will reward him with riches, with honor and with fame." said the king as he departed. :painter34: The two artists accepted the challenge. The first set right to work. He gathered his ideas and thoughts and he began to sketch and to plan . He hired a crew of assistants and built a scaffold against the wall. By the end of the first month, he had his design and began to block it out on the wall. And as for the second artist... each day he would come into the great hall and just stare up at his wall. He would just sit and stare with a strange look on his face. Months went by and the first artist's genius was becoming evident. His inspired design, the bold figures and perspectives, the magnificent color and texture of his work, -- all this filled the artist with the confidence that this was, indeed going to become his greatest masterpiece. It filled him with excitement and enthusiasm. And as for the second artist..... each day, he would arrive and just stare at his empty wall. The end of the year approached. On the last day of the last week of the last month of the year, the artist invited his assistants to a celebration. As the evening's celebration came to an end, and he prepared to leave the great hall, the first artist turned one last time to look at the other wall. It remained as blank and empty as it had been on the very first day of the contest. And there was his colleague, the second artist, sitting and starring as he had done each day of the year. The next morning, on the first day of the new year, the two artists were summoned by the king. The king asked them to wait in the antechamber as he entered the newly decorated hall for the first time. The king looked upon the first artist's composition. His heart began to pound and tears came to his eyes. Never before had he seen a work of art so magnificent, so grand, so moving. Each figure, each design on the wall, was executed with such care, such grace, such insight. He felt a distinct pride that he, the king, had sponsored and inspired so great a work of human creativity. And then he turned and looked at the other wall. And there he saw something that shocked him. It was the exact same composition. Line for line, design for design, it was identical. Except, on this wall, he saw the image of himself, staring back. Suspecting what the artist had done, he walked over and ran his hand across the wall. It was cold, and hard, and smooth. Yes, the artist had installed mirrors the length and breadth of the wall. Mirrors. So that everything that appeared on one wall was reflected back on the other. The king then invited the two artists into the room. The first artist looked up at his work and felt his pride swell. But then he looked across at the other wall and was enraged. "Who won?" they asked the king. "The designs are identical, so clearly both of you win! I declare the contest a tie!" :tobe34:

Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 773837 Israel 09/18/2009 11:30 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... THE MASTERPIECE OR THE MIRROR – THE CHOICE IS OURS Rosh Hashanah Morning Second Part Listen to the end of the story: The two artists returned to the palace the next day. The first artist dejected and angry. The second elated and relieved. They were ushered into the great hall. And there in the middle of the hall was a mountain of gold. More gold than either man had ever seen or dreamed in his lifetime. The king turned to the first artist: "You have created a masterpiece. Your work is profound and moving and so beautiful. And I am proud that I could be a part of so magnificent a work of art. Because of this, you will receive the reward you deserve. This mountain of gold is yours. There is enough gold to support you for the rest of your life. Now go and spread your gifts -- bring beauty into the lives of others as you have into my own life." The artist was surprised. He thanked the king again and again. "Wait just a moment," the other artist interrupted. "You said we both won, and we would both get rewarded. Where is my reward?" "Oh yes," the king responded, "I did promise that each of you would receive the reward due him. And I intend to keep my word." "So, if he is to keep all this gold," the second artist asked, "where is my reward?" "Why look there," said the king, motioning to the reflection in the mirror, "Do you see that mound of gold, there in the mirror? That is your reward. The reward that you deserve! Now take your reward and leave!" The second artist looked up in shock at the king, and slowly left the room. :flor1::flor1: At some moment in our lives, whether it be now, at this Rosh Hashanah, or years from now, whether it be in a public service, or in a quiet private moment -- in a hospital room, in a child's bedroom, at a grandchild’s soccer game, or staring at one of the beautiful sunsets we are so blessed to witness almost daily -- the King is going to come back and ask each of us to examine our lives, to judge our accomplishments, to assess our failures, to savor our successes, to admire our masterpiece. May each of us have something worthy to show.
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 773837 Israel 09/18/2009 11:32 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... There's a bit of both artists in each of us. Like them, after a year of work, we too must come before G-d for an evaluation of our handiwork, ... to show what we've done over the course of the past year, to display our accomplishments and our failures. There are some whose lives can truly be called masterpieces. There are others who have filled their canvases of this past year with splashes of brilliant color, creativity, beauty and accomplishment. Like that first artist, they can present the King with an image of a year fully lived, talents fully developed, and time well spent. And then there are some with no masterpieces to show– who simply put up mirrors to reflect what others expect of them instead of really creating something unique and magnificent which they can call their own. And why? First, many of us see ourselves as just too busy! In " Who has the time to work on a masterpiece? " "Who has the time for planning? " We're all so busy And because we're so busy, we have to put things off. How many people waited for a promotion -- waited for retirement --- waited for the kids to grow up... who waited and waited before beginning to live their dreams -- and to really live their lives..and alas, are snatched from this earth just as their new lives were about to begin. So why we put up mirrors instead of creating masterpieces – we feel inadequate.I can imagine that second artist in our story, sitting there day after day, rehearsing in his mind the words of the king: “Create a masterpiece for me!” I can imagine him sitting there, paralyzed. Was it just too risky? too frightening? too daunting a charge: to create just one piece -- a masterpiece -- a piece that represents all his talents and abilities, all his insights and dreams, all his creativity and imagination -- to show the king through this one piece who he is and what he's about...to put his soul up on that empty wall? Are we like that sometimes? At times when we feel inadequate we want to take the easy way out, so we put up mirrors. We let others see what they want, what they expect. Why do so many of us feel that we fail at life? Fail to live up to our fullest potential? Fail to create of life the masterpiece that lays latent and dormant within us? The answer is simple. We fail because we don't take the time, or show the courage and conviction to listen to and act upon the message from the voices within each of us. And if this is the way we continue to conduct our lives, what will happen to us? Quoting: ~GAIA~
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 773837 Israel 09/18/2009 11:36 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... Happy Rosh Hashana... :shana34:
Anonymous Coward User ID: 774238 Israel 09/18/2009 06:43 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana.....
Anonymous Coward User ID: 359037 Spain 09/18/2009 06:49 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... Odd king that rewards with gold dont you think?
Anonymous Coward User ID: 774241 New Zealand 09/18/2009 07:03 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... thank you gaia..bless you.

Anonymous Coward User ID: 774241 New Zealand 09/18/2009 07:06 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... i pray this thread is full of love and not hate..
John Cleese User ID: 569020 United Kingdom 09/18/2009 07:24 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... Do not worship false Idols. Especially if you killed Jesus. Not pointing any fingers of course
John Cleese User ID: 569020 United Kingdom 09/18/2009 07:26 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... Blessed are the poor in Art for they shall find real beauty in Heaven. Not some acrylic on a wall. Jesus loves YOU!

Anonymous Coward User ID: 763527 Argentina 09/18/2009 07:35 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... :P
Anonymous Coward User ID: 774536 Israel 09/19/2009 07:10 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... thank you gaia..bless you. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 774241
Anonymous Coward User ID: 774826 Israel 09/19/2009 03:41 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... The Chinese Bamboo...

czygyny User ID: 418932 United States 09/19/2009 04:26 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... Do not worship false Idols. Especially if you killed Jesus. Not pointing any fingers of course Quoting: John Cleese There always has to be a fly in the ointment, doesn't there? You are that fly. This remark brings no esteem to your Messiah. ------------------ Gaia, Happy Rosh Kodesh, Yom Teruah, Rosh Hashana and all the other coming Fall Moedim. Stay safe. Kletos, Eklektos & Pistos
Anonymous Coward User ID: 774826 Israel 09/19/2009 04:34 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... Gaia, Happy Rosh Kodesh, Yom Teruah, Rosh Hashana and all the other coming Fall Moedim. Stay safe. Quoting: czygyny Thank you very much!...
Anonymous Coward User ID: 775452 Slovenia 09/20/2009 12:21 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... It's a wise story. Thanks. :P

Anonymous Coward User ID: 715381 Israel 09/20/2009 01:19 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... It's a wise story. Thanks. :P Quoting: Anonymous Coward 775452 Glad you liked it....:flor1:
mopar28m User ID: 708634 United States 09/20/2009 01:39 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... vaccinefreehealth blogspot com The risk far outweighs any benefit as the risk will vary from child to child. facebook.com/graphixyourway
Anonymous Coward User ID: 715381 Israel 09/20/2009 01:46 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: 'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana..... :ShanaDove: Quoting: mopar28m :yuumo:Shana Tovah to you too!:yuumo:
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'Once upon a time'...a story for Rosh Hashana.....