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Would you rather?

“Would you rather be chased by a horse-sized duck, or by one
hundred duck-sized horses?” Thus says one of the ‘Would you
rather?’ challenges from the wrappers round a famous brand of
‘Take a Break’ chocolate snack. I’d be curious to hear your answer
– then I’ll reveal my choice over coffee!

“Would you rather?” reminds me of one of my favourite sayings
from Dr Wayne Dyer: “I can choose peace rather than this.” Would
you rather have peace or conflict? Isn’t it surprising, shocking
even, that some people would genuinely prefer conflict? This is
particularly so in the area of forgiveness vs unforgiveness. Many
people would rather hold on to their sense of outrage, injury, and
pain rather than let it go.

Somewhere last week I read a story about two monks – an elderly
and a younger – climbing and walking down the steep mountain
sides of wild country. Their Order did not permit them to touch a
woman (I know, how ridiculous!), but when their path crossed a
mighty rushing stream in one of the gullies, they found a young
woman in distress. She needed to cross the stream to get home
but the flood-waters were flowing too fast for her to cross safely.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the mature monk respectfully lifted
the woman onto his back, and waded across the raging waters,
safely to the other side. The woman thanked him and then ran
happily on her way home.

The two monks went ahead in silence for hours, but the older,
wiser, monk could tell that the younger was very agitated.
Eventually, the younger burst out, “Our Order does not permit us to
engage with women, let alone touch one – and yet you carried one
across that mountain stream!”

The older, wiser monk gently observed, “Ah, that’s true… and I put
her down on the other side, as easily and as rapidly as I had picked
her up… I notice that you are still carrying her.”

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