Keith Elliott, Company Manager

The Ponds Edge…

Tong Li Water Town

Watching the multi colored array of coy (Koi) aimlessly meander in the meditation pond, I started to think how wonderful life may be for these brightly colored jewels of the pond. They move with grace and beauty within the water occasionally creating a ripple as they pierce the surface. Upon further observation, I realized they do move with an odd sense of purpose. Was it to find food, join a group of other Coy or head to the cooler depths of the pond? Always slow and methodical in their movement, their direction would change with a flick of their tail fin. They would head to the opposite side of the pond and change direction once again because the ponds edge was their limit.

I momentarily pondered the fact that unlike Coy, we do not have a “Ponds Edge” to stunt our movement. We are presented with a multitude of possibilities in life and although we may change direction, there are no limits or boundaries to what we can do or accomplish. How lucky are we to have unlimited possibilities?

We all too often have moments of self imposed boundaries (perhaps fear or comfort level) but the potential for growth exists if only we choose to expand beyond the ponds edge.


A Way Of Life… …Tong Li Water Town

Experiencing Water Town for the first time was amazing at best. A brisk walk along the river and one Rickshaw ride later, I quickly settled into the traditions of this town’s simple way of life. It was tranquil at every corner and bridge crossing that lined the river. Serenity seemed to be in abundance here and something that I enjoyed taping into if only for one day. Even the eyes of the vendors along the street emulated the peacefulness that surrounded this village.

Is this unflustered life style something worth incorporating into my Western approach to living? Heck yeah…bring it on! The journey to discover a quieter way of life will be a challenge for me but I will simply think about the smiles of the Water Town villagers and the happiness they possessed.

I will often consider the time spent in Water Town as my mind’s eye “quiet place” when things start to bustle once again.