The Blind Leading the Blind

I have told you about my friend Andy and his wonderful guide dog Eddie. I was reminded of a story he once told me. While I was on holiday, I visited a lovely little village, called Soamo. It was not far from the caravan park and a number of other caravan parks and yet seemed to remain undiscovered by tourists. A little haven for locals. It had a little inn serving local produce and a fine ale. I loved to finish my afternoon walk or cycle sitting there in the sun watching the locals at their day to day business.


One day I watched an old lady very very slowly walk past. She was using two walking sticks and was moving with difficulty. It was three in the afternoon and she was still wearing her dressing gown and night clothes. She did this walk every day at around about this time, determined not to let frailty beat her. I was told she dressed for evening meal after this adventure.

Another day I watched an old man cycle up to the inn, nothing odd about that. He got off his cycle with difficulty laid it against the wall and unstrapped two crutches which he used to walk into the inn with. The innkeeper then came out and took the basket from his cycle and un loaded the vegetables the old man had gathered from his allotment.

Two amazing people showing a determination not to be defeated by age.

Now back to Andy. Eddie his dog was having an operation on a small cyst. Andy determined not to be kept at home ventured out. He tells how he was standing on the kerbstone of a busy road hoping somebody would offer to take him over. There was a tap on his back. Then a voice said, “I am blind would you help me over the road?”

Andy took his arm and the both crossed the road safely I think Andy sensed my amazement, he said, “What could I d? I took him across the road it was one of the biggest thrills of my life.

There are times when we think we cannot do something and so do not stretch or take a risk. Being forced to stretch and take a risk can often help us to reduce our dependencies (on others, or our own personal safety mechanisms), and to discover new excitement and capabilities. Also with the things we do, it pays to take risks to venture beyond the unknown.

What awaits? The biggest thrill of your life.

This is the way of the Tao.

This blog is linked to my other where I discuss the artwork used. The Jazzman