Theresa Williams-author

Leo Tolstoy

I'm taking a short break from writing today to go out to a late lunch with my husband.

In doing so, I want to be mindful and not let myself be distracted by the writing that waits at home.

I'm reminded then of Tolstoy's story, "Three Questions," a story that may be found in Walk In The Light and Twenty-three Tales.  (Also retold in a wonderful children's book by Jon J. Muth called The Three Questions.)

In Tolstoy's version, a king wonders, "When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?"

He finds the answer in an old hermit who says:

"Remember then:  there is only one time that is important--Now!  It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.  The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else:  and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!"

Have a mindful day, everyone.  --Theresa

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• #9 Comment from sistercdr 
  8/6/05 1:05 AM | Permalink

  That was a very wise hermit.
• #8 Comment from theresarrt7Entry Author 
  8/5/05 6:05 PM | Permalink

  I HATE those books with the small type.  Try to find another edition!  :-)
• #7 Comment from deabvt 
  8/5/05 4:59 AM | Permalink

  Yea! A lunch date! I haven`t reread "War & Peace" in years. About three months ago I bought a new copy in paperback but the type is so small it`s practically unreadable.
  Ahh, the nights!
  V
• #6 Comment from ggw07 
  8/3/05 1:09 PM | Permalink

  
  
  All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.
  Leo Tolstoy
• #5 Comment from ckays1967 
  8/3/05 10:13 AM | Permalink

  I love Tolstoy although I haven't read anything by him lately.  I tend to re-read the great lit I have on my bookshelves which is more like Lawrence, Stone, Buck, Sheakspear, Mitchell, Knowles, Keller, Elliott, Haley Gibran, Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck....ah the list goes on.
  
  But alas, no Tolstoy.  Humpf.  
  
  Now I have a good excuse to go buy books.
  
  I love that you are back giving me permission to go buy more books.
  
  Love it.
  
  (shhhhh, don't tell my husband.  He is not a fan of owning books, he wants to borrow them.  Pishaw, who wants to do that?)