This is the story of the young raspberry that grew in a vine.  It was winter, and the vine was dormant and no raspberries were to be found.  The young seedling, deep inside the warmth of the raspberry bushes’ roots, asked his mom and dad when he would get to have the chance to grow into a plump juicy raspberry.

Their reply was always, the same, “when you are ready, and when the bush is ready for you, as well.”

Soon, spring came, and the bush began to show the signs of life, by developing some buds on its vine.  It began to stretch in various directions and extend the length of its reach ever so much as it had done for many years prior.

The vine that once appeared dead, was awaken with life, and began to turn color.  The brown that it took on during the winter became a green that gave the appearance of life.

One day, there was a call for more young raspberries, and everyone around the little raspberry was chosen.  He once again asked his mom and dad when he would get the chance to grow and see the world outside of the vine that he occupied.

The answer, was always the same, “When you are ready and the bush is ready for you as well.”

Not seeing the logic in that answer, the young raspberry decided to ask his grandfather.  His reply was similar, but he said, when I was your age, that is all I wanted to do; to see the world outside of this vine and find out what it’s really like on the outside.  You see, though, after years and years of waiting, I began to understand that my role here is just as important, if not more important than the role of those on the outside. You see, I am a master who is to teach the youngsters about the world and what they can expect.  My work here is very important, for I have the opportunity to teach many, whereas on the outside, I might only have the brief opportunity of a summer.  Here I can live for many summers and winters, knowing that my work is important.”

The young raspberry went to bed that night thinking about what he might be if he didn’t ever make it outside of the vine.  Would he be a teacher, a parent,  a sibling to other brothers and sisters that also did not get chosen?  He really thought the world outside of the vine was what he wanted, but decided that he did not know for certain.  What if life on the outside is no better than here?  What if it was worse than life inside this safe vine?  He had never considered that before, for all of his friends, most of whom have been chosen by now, were excited to go and acted like that was the greatest achievement they could hope for.

He did not consider that they all might be wrong.  Had anyone who went to the outside, ever come back to tell them what it is like?

The next day, he went to one of the eldest teachers in the colony and asked if he might have time for a couple of questions.

“Why certainly, young fellow, I have time, but keep it quick, because I am a very busy man.”

“Well, first I would like to know what life is like outside of this vine.  I’m guessing you have been there?”

“Let me tell you, life on the outside is wonderful and pleasant, and the thing that we  all must strive for.  However, my work in here is too important for me to go, so I must let others enjoy the world outside of this vine, while I help teach the teachers who teach the teachers who will teach you what to expect.”

“So have you been outside of the vine?”

“Well, no not exactly, but I know what it’s like out there and it’s the most beautiful thing you can ever imagine.”

“If you have never been outside of this vine, then how do you know it’s so beautiful and wonderful?”

“Well, I just do, from other folks who know.”

“Who might that be?”

“Well, lots of people I suppose.”

“Can you tell me who has been to the outside world so that I might go and speak with them?”

“Well there is no one in this vine who has been there, but many before them have been there and back many times.  They just no longer are here.”

“Where did they go then?”

“Well, they went to the outside and decided not to come back I suppose.”

“So you have talked with someone who has been to the outside and came back then?”

“Well, not exactly, but many other people have.”

“So then you’ve talked with someone who has talked with someone who has been to the outside and back then?”

“Well, not exactly.  You need to run along, I have much work to do.” said the master.

“Well, thank you for your time,” said the young raspberry.

That night, the young raspberry laid in bed wondering how anyone could know what its like on the outside; if no one had ever been there, and if the people who have been there, never came back to tell us what it was like.

He pondered that question for several days, when he came upon another young raspberry close to his age.  The two of them talked for many days, pondering these questions, for the other raspberry, also had these questions and concerns.

One day, the two of them, saw the elder walking through the vine, appearing to be in quite a hurry.

They hollered to him, but he did not hear them and continued on his way.

“How can he be so busy, for he only thinks he knows what its like on the other side when he hasn’t been there, nor talked to anyone who has been there, or even anyone who has talked to someone who has been there?”

“I do not see what is so important that he has so much work to do in preparing for this event, when he does not know what it is he is preparing for.”

The two boys decided to let the discussion rest, and began to live each day with one common goal – to have fun and play.  Most of their friends were in the school learning about the outside, and doing the work to prepare for the outside, while the two boys played games, and had fun.

Everyone around them, asked, “What are you doing, you are not ready for the outside world, and you will not be chosen if you do not prepare.”  Their common reply was, “we decided that we might never get to the outside world, so we will just enjoy this one instead.”

As the days went on, and the winters and summers started to accumulate, the two boys retained their longtime friendship.  As they grew older, they knew that they would never be chosen and that their time in the vine would be as long as the vine was alive.  They knew that the chosen ones were not necessarily the lucky ones, because they had decided many years prior, that if it was truly that wonderful then why didn’t anyone ever come back to tell the rest?

Their conclusion was that with so many raspberries leaving the inner vine for the outside world, that one of two things was possible.  Either the raspberries could not come back for one reason or another, or they did not live long enough to make it back.  The answer to that question no longer became of interest since they knew that their life was perfect just the way it is.

They did not need to move outside of the vine to begin the life that was promised.  They did not need to waste all of their days inside the vine preparing for a day that might never come.

They knew that their world was inside the vine and that they could do the things that felt right to them, while others did the things that felt right to them.

However, they did not believe that the others were doing anything but keeping themselves busy and wasting away the life that they had, inside of the vine.

They did not believe that anyone knew for sure what it was like nor how to prepare.  So they decided, if their day came when they would leave the inner sanctum of the vine and open themselves to an entirely new world, they would be as ready as the rest.

However, they knew one thing for certain.  They were enjoying every day that they had, not waiting for something to happen like most of the rest.

After many more summers and winters, the two long time friends one day, found themselves in a weird state.  Things were happening to them, that never happened before.  They went to sleep one night and little known to them, slept for many days.  When they awoke, they opened their eyes to see brightness everywhere.  When they finally got acclimated, the two friends realized they were in the outside world.  They looked at each other in astonishment, and realized they were much to plump to go back into the vine.  One of their questions was answered, however, neither knew about the second question – the question on how long they might live in the outside world.

The two of them, looked at each other and smiled.  They knew that like the inside of the vine, their days could be limited.  But they also knew how to enjoy the moment.  They closed their eyes, put a smile on their face, and soaked in the beautiful rays of the sun.  The warmth overwhelmed their body and they fell asleep.  Each day they treated as though it were their first, and their last, simultaneously.  They had the bewilderment of the world around them, while at the same time enjoying each moment.

One night the young raspberry turned to his friend  to say, “you know, all of those questions?”

“Yup,” replied his friend.  “Well, the answer was the question, and there is no answer.”

With that they fell asleep.

Ω

This story illustrates the desire to understand the things and the events that are beyond our comprehension, or possibly beyond our world.  Yet at the same time, knowing that sometimes there is no need to understand, yet to believe in your own thoughts and intuition.

While others are preparing for things they know nothing about, but were taught and told from others who were told and so on.  While those people are making the all important preparations for the day they know not what is like, they will find they are no better prepared than the two young raspberries.  They will find someday, that they have spent a lifetime preparing for things that others told them would happen, when they never took the time to listen to their own thoughts and intuitions about what might happen.

It is the desire for all and the curiosity of our souls to search for things outside of ourselves.  We encourage that, but we also caution those from making the search itself, their life.  The search is not the life, rather living and performing the search is your life.  You can strive for something, so long as you enjoy the journey along the way.  You can search for something, so long as you enjoy the search, instead of refusing to enjoy your life until you find what it is you are looking for.  The two raspberries realized that at a young age.  They realized that they could enjoy life while thinking on the answers to their questions, but realized that the answers were not important.

InspiraCards

You must not wait to have joy until you know all the answers, achieve all the accomplishments, and do all of your work.  You must realize that the work, the questions, and the journey are the answers.

Enjoy the now, live for now, and know that you can have fun and joy today, in this moment.  Know that the achievement does not bring joy;  the answer, does not explain everything; and you will find the joy that is buried deep within your soul.

Live {in} your world, while asking questions about other worlds.  While knowing that your world is the one you currently reside, and that your life’s happiness is not dependent upon your place of residence.

Written Mon Jul 14, 2008 ~8:10 – 8:42 PM