When you come into our main entrance, you see these two terra cotta figurers, which are perched on our two recycle bins. I got them at a local store called Mexidona, and they were labeled "The Whisperers." I wonder what one of these maidens is whispering into the ears of the other. Gossip is one obvious thing that comes to mind...something way too common, like old newspapers and bottles and cans. Isn't it the case that most if not all of what we pass on to others is just recycled information, opinion, etc? So much of what we talk about with others is "used".....it comes to us second or third hand, and then we pass it on.
Now recycling is a good thing, and that's why we have those bins. We are grateful to live in a community that values recycling and the environment. We like the thought that what we have used can be reused, recycled, and put to good use.
So here are the questions these figures pose for me: Can the things you and I say to or about others be put to good use? recycled in a positive way that is good for the spiritual welfare of the community and world? Can our worries be recycled into positive action in behalf of whatever values we hold dear? Can our complaints and criticisms be reformed into something useful and valuable to others, like empty cans and bottles are? Can judgments be put into recycle bins in our mind, and come out as compassion? If so, then we are helping create a better spiritual environment for everyone. That's a lot better than "trashing" others, what's going on, or even ourselves.
As one wise teacher, Eric Butterworth, once said, "Let something good be said." A friend of mine rephrased that as "Tell me something good." He always said it with a big smile, and said it prevented a lot of "ain't it awful" conversations from continuing.
I am going to re-use those phrases a lot! And I imagine those two young maidens in blue on our recycle bins are whispering good things to pass on. How about you?
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