"You can give a fool a thousand intellects, but the only one he will want is yours." - Arabic proverb
"When we start planting the garden of our life, we glance to one side and notice our neighbour is there, spying. He himself is incapable of growing anything, but he likes to give advice on when to sow actions, when to fertilize thoughts and when to water achievements.
"If we listen to what this neighbour is saying, we will end up working for him and the garden of our life will be our neighbour's idea. We will end up forgetting about the earth we cultivated with so much sweat and fertilized with so many blessings. We will forget that each centimeter of earth has its mysteries that only the patient hand of the gardener can decipher. We will no longer pay attention to the sun, the rain and the seasons; we will concentrate instead only on that head peering at us over the hedge.
"The fool who loves giving advice on our garden never tends his own plants at all."
Flowers in Yorkshire, England. Excerpt from Paulo Coelho's book Like the Flowing River.
Beautiful words and beautiful photograph -- how true is this. If we would only learn these lessons sooner than later -- in our younger life...but perhaps some lessons are meant to be learned later so that we truly understand and savor them -- and make them part of the whole cloth of our lives.
Posted by: sherry | 14 February 2008 at 03:11
my daffodils are open but the weeds are winning! and as for me, i thought my neighbor's head was just another pomegranate. i tried to eat it and he ran away. silly neighbor. that's what he gets for meddling with me!
Posted by: kelly snelling | 14 February 2008 at 00:13
It echoes one of my favorite quotations in which I wholehearted believe! Voltaire's conclusion at the end of Candide that one must tend one's own garden (and stop running around other people's...
Love the photo, it's very beautiful. xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 13 February 2008 at 20:17
Tara, I love this excerpt! I might just have to get Coelho"s book now. I got tagged with a Book Meme and am tagging you!
Please visit my World Market Portraits blog http://world-market-portraits.blogspot.com/ today to see what it's all about.
Thanks for taking part in the One World ~ One Heart Giveaway!
Posted by: Enzie Shahmiri | 13 February 2008 at 19:24
Extremely wise advise to follow! Tara your words are always thought provoking! Thank you friend for posting these wonderful
blossoms as I am surrounded with mountains of snow!
hugs snowed in NG
Posted by: naturegirl | 13 February 2008 at 17:46
Hi Friend,
YES! When I look straight ahead at myself in the mirror, NOT to the right, NOT to the left, there is where I find my truth, my peace and my contentment. Someones else's garden is not my garden!
It's a waste of time tending someones else's garden, when your own need pruning and weeding everyday!
xoxo
COnstance
Posted by: rochambeau | 13 February 2008 at 14:46
hello!
I'm a big Paulo Coelho's fan and I don't know if you heard about his blog
http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com
I've started as a fan and now I'm collaborating with him and thought that you would like to enter his universe.
Check the blog.
if you want, or subscribe to his newsletter
http://www.warriorofthelight.com/engl/index.html
You'll see a community of warriors of light sharing ideas, dreams and most importantly following their personal legend.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there.
Have a nice day!
Aart
Posted by: aarthilal | 13 February 2008 at 11:49
That was great reading - thank you! Here in Toulouse, the daffodil buds are up and getting ready; the pansies and primulas are flowering in the windowboxes, and I'm cringing in expectation of the next heavy freeze... and making a new resolve to just get on with things without thinking so much of what others are thinking of my actions.
Posted by: Alethea | 13 February 2008 at 10:13
wonderful quote(s) and amazing photo!! is paris blooming yet?
Posted by: lucy | 13 February 2008 at 06:55
Oh, I am SOOOOOO ready for spring!!
Posted by: Rosa | 13 February 2008 at 03:10
aww, gorgeous flowers.
Posted by: tess | 13 February 2008 at 01:35
A lesson I wish I'd learned a long time ago. Thanks for reminding me. I've discovered my garden isn't so bad.
Posted by: deirdre | 13 February 2008 at 00:49
Thank you, Tara for sharing Coelho's wise words, and for giving us such a lovely photo to accompany them~xOx
Posted by: tinker | 12 February 2008 at 22:34
So much to think about here, Tara; that photo initially reminded me of the cover of Carleen's new book, Orange Mint and Honey. I can't imagine ever having a garden like that; maybe as my girls get a little older they'll help me build one. As far as the life analogies, what a terrific reminder to take responsiblity for and to fiercely defend what's truly our own.
Thanks, too, for the links to the articles on the unrest in East Timor. Many more prayers and well wishes are now with Jose because of your post about him. Unfortunately, this news has been downplayed in the US, as has the recent demands of the Bush Administration regarding international travel. We're all so looking forward to next January! K.
Posted by: Karen DeGroot Carter | 12 February 2008 at 22:32
Wow, how true that is! Sometimes we forget what these words remind us of. Thanks for reminding me.
Posted by: artzyjudie | 12 February 2008 at 22:30
These flowers are so very beautiful! And I love this post! I am not a bossy neighbor -- I am fortunate to live next door to the gardener extraordinaire, and I offer no comments but glorious praise and gratitude. (And get tips when I can, though when it comes to dirt and flowers I'm woefully inadequate unless they are in big pots, which I can manage!). I really like this one -- a lot!
Posted by: Jeanie | 12 February 2008 at 21:52
Very true and poignant quote. I love that purple buddleia plant - very pretty!
Posted by: Amy | 12 February 2008 at 21:41
I hate gardening so where does that leave me?
Thanks for asking Julie for me. We are coming over in April to get away from the diggers.
Tara responds:
The story isn't referring literally to a garden, but to life choices. Look forward to seeing you in April!
Posted by: Di Overton | 12 February 2008 at 21:01
i don't tend to look over the fences, yet if there are interesting lessons in gardening to learn i might get tempted.
however all in mesures and trying to keep doing my own thing, in my own time and way.
the image of the flowers look like spring, just gorgeous! looking out for the blossoms to come!
Posted by: marita | 12 February 2008 at 19:55
Beautiful image...waiting patiently for blooms here. Yes, and lovely words, I have only read Coelho's the Alchemist...
Posted by: stephanie | 12 February 2008 at 19:47
What a beautiful excerpt, Tara. Deeply moving. I am going to seek out Coelho's book.
Posted by: annieelf | 12 February 2008 at 18:40
Well, I think you have done well to tend your garden, and go your own way no matter what the person in the next yard says. ;)
One of the books I am reading is about raising yoru children to be people like this. To raise children who listen to their own voices, their own guts, and to be brave enough to walk their own journey.
ox :)
Posted by: amber | 12 February 2008 at 18:39