6/17/2022 0 Comments Two Stories from The Heart I search out acts of kindness – big ones, little ones, even tiny ones. They all touch my heart – and they all ripple out. This blog is simply one of the ripples. #1 – This story appeared in my daily feed from Service Space www.servicespace.org. It often feels that the people who select these stories can read my mind and say “Dave, we think you will really appreciate this one”. And in almost all cases, they are so right. Service Space called their story Stone Buddha and I have enlarged the title in my mind to “How to beautify a space that was being used as a dump pile and in the process change an entire neighborhood.” In 1999, a particular corner in the East Lake Section of Oakland, California was being used as trash dump including old mattresses, couches and other unwanted items. There was also a derelict and unloved atmosphere surrounding the corner. In addition, the larger neighborhood had more than its fair share of crime. A neighbor, named Dan Stevenson, would often walk by and see this mess. He found it distressing and depressing. The city had attempted to help the situation by posting a “No Dumping” sign, but that soon became covered with graffiti just adding to the problem. Dan had a small stone Buddha, the kind you can buy at ACE hardware for $35. We have that Buddha statue in our own garden near a stone St. Francis statue with a bird on his shoulder. Dan says that neither he nor his wife are religious but thought that a statue of Christ might be too controversial. Dan’s hope was to change the energy surrounding that corner. His expectations were low and wondered if the Buddha would also become a place for more graffiti. He surrounded his little Buddha with a few lovely flowers. No one stole or vandalized the statue and soon he discovered that fruit was being left as offerings. There are many Vietnamese living in this neighborhood and one asked if she and her son could care for the Buddha. In their tradition, the Buddha should not be directly on the ground and so they built a platform and swept the area. And then the “miracle” happened. Other people came by and eventually built a very large “home” for the little Buddha. Many people would come by for their daily prayers. There were problems along the way with the city, some neighbors and other challenges but the little stone Buddha survived. It is now over 20 years and that now beautiful corner is still thriving. There are many stories and articles throughout the years. Take a read and enjoy this one story and video. Explore further for many more details. https://oaklandnorth.net/2014/10/21/ Click and scroll down to “Buddha of Oakland” and be sure to check out the video #2 –. Typically, news programs reserve the last minute for “good news”. I caught a “snippet” of this story at the end of a news program A bus driver in NYC made something like the following announcement at each of his stops. “I know all of you have difficulties and troubles that you carry with you. Life is not easy. When you get off the bus, give me a high five and with it, give me all your troubles. I will receive them and, at the end of my route, I will bring all our troubles and pains and place them in the river”. Was he a preacher and part-time bus driver? Or perhaps, a full-time bus driver and part time preacher. Either way, I wanted to raise my hand and give him my high five also. It was extraordinary to see the joy and almost giddiness of the passengers, all captured on a cell phone, as they gave their high fives and almost floated off the bus. I have tried my best to find this story on the web. Alas, even with my best sleuthing abilities, I have not found the background to the story. If anyone reading this discovers the story, please let me know. The picture I have used captures the bus driver’s spirit. And, of course, let these stories ripple out!
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David FeldmanDog walker, Dog Mediator, Father, Husband, Categories |