The Chocolate Factory

Tales of the Velvet Rock : III

 

 

 

 

In the screen presentation of the same name, Tim Robbins brought to a skeptical western audience the suggestion of how a person may engage the values of divinity in nature. While the Eastern practices still promote the worship of the rock, regarded as respect, adoration and devotion, Western practices take the approach of buttering up the rock in ways that are profoundly sublime. It creates quite a marvel.

 

The expression ' between a rock and a hard place ' is not unknown in general social banter. It conjures the inevitable picture of the enthusiastic hero, stumped in his quest for liberty and truth. However, where it may be possible to refine our fervor for legend and bring the lesson to the issues in the home, our efforts find a even greater reward.

 

We remind ourselves constantly that all the teachings of faith are as regards managing the human condition. Of these, that which takes up the greatest effort in the face of insurmountable challenges, is the effort we apply to preserve our love for the family and that special person. We need to remind ourselves of this often, lest we come to mistake the pie crust for the contents of the pie.

 

Without an appeal, nor begging nor acting on intimidation, the lady of the house engages the body of the rock she has come to love as husband and friend. It is the very stuff of legends and is as much an Andromeda waiting, bound on the rock, for mighty Cetus to make his move.

 

It cannot be undertaken by contrivance and yet will fail without it. She has to transform into a master of the arts, a Juno of the stars, a painter with words and the school bully who realizes how his mother got him to like school. We understand what we hate most and in that way understand the one we love most.

 

Improvisation being the mother of invention, our attitudes in this regard discourage too much preparation or rehearsals. Just snap on the skates and slide onto the ice surface. And don't forget to pick up a packet of Nescafe at the mart on the way home.