You can never have enough...

[Lilith7]

Strange to do groceries this morning with almost no one wearing a mask - I'll get used to it, but I'm almost sad to see them go - mine certainly improved my looks. But annoying to wear for long, I found. I may still do so on public transport though.

I've been very fortunate to have always had lovely neighbours except for once years ago when the owners of a neighbouring house had to go south for work, & let their house for that time. The woman of the house turned out to be one of those people who had conniptions over the smallest things, & screeched loudly about it.
I think the entire suburb heaved a gigantic sigh of relief when they went.

One of my granddaughters has a friend who's one of those people who lift your spirits without even trying; I met him back when they were both in early teens & hadn't seen him for years till I went into a shop he happened to be working & he recognised me, which made my day.

The talk of neighbours reminded me of this ancient Sufi parable.

A stranger enters a village & immediately looks for the Sufi master to ask advice. He says, “I’m thinking of moving to live in this village. What can you tell me about the people who live here?”
And the Sufi master replies “What can you tell me about the people who live where you came from?”
“Ah,” says the visitor angrily “they are terrible people. They are robbers, cheats & liars. They stab each other in the back.”
“Well now” says the Sufi master “Isn’t that a coincidence? That’s exactly what they’re like here.”

So the man departs the village & is never seen again.
Soon, another stranger enters the village & he too seeks out the Sufi master for advice. He says “I’m thinking about moving to live in this village. What can you tell me about the people who live here?”
And the Sufi master replies “What can you tell me about the people who live where you come from?”
“Ah” says the visitor in fond remembrance, “they are wonderful people. They’re kind, gentle & compassionate. They look after each other.”
“Well now” says the Sufi master. “Isn’t that a coincidence? That’s exactly what they’re like here.”