Treasure is to be found in many forms, both tangible and intangible. I’ve always loved reading fairy tales and fantasy stories, so I have a strong mental image of treasure as being a mountainous heap of gold and jewels, with a splendid dragon sitting atop it! Then there’s pirate treasure – this time the image is of an old iron bound chest, spilling over with gold coins, pearls and jewels.
But treasure isn’t always of great monetary value. There are simple gifts, much treasured because of the person who gave them – a book, a card, a bunch of flowers. Children’s treasure is among the most beautiful of these. Who has not treasured at some time a bunch of carefully gathered weed ‘flowers’, a special rock, a carefully drawn portrait of yourself, all offered with much love?
People can be treasured too. The friends who are always there for you when you’re down, or with whom you can share a good rib-aching laugh. And remembering a much loved and much missed friend? Treasured memory…
I have a coffee mug that was given to me by my children many years ago when they were small, bought with pocket money and carefully chosen . Printed on it is an enthusiastic gardener on her knees in a flower bed, with the words “I’d rather be gardening”. It’s still in use, a bit worn but unbroken, and I calculated that it’s about 45 years old. Treasure!
Maureen
“Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”
Ancient Philosopher Lao Tzu (Tao Te Ching)
