glass jars
One day I was presented with a jar of transparent glass
I was asked to describe what I saw there.
I saw crumpled aluminum, torn paper,
Coal, grime and expired chocolate.
So I was asked to look again
From another angle, and to start again.
From above, I saw dead flies
Pieces of fabric without interest.
So I was asked to open the jar, remove the first layer and look at the next one.
I saw the same thing.
So I was asked to observe better.
I saw a piece of dirty, closed sachet
I saw a third layer, hidden, that I wanted to discover.
So I was asked to remove that second layer, and look at the next one.
I saw a blue bag of M&Ns still good.
I saw jewelry there
I saw cookies there
I saw it as a treasure.
So I was asked how I could have found this treasure, in the heart of the jar.
So I get it.
I understood that we are all glass jars.
I understood that the first layer represented our physical appearance
And that sometimes, life filled her with rubbish, randomly.
I understood that the second layer symbolized our apparent behavior.
And that sometimes, life also filled her with waste, won over the bad memories.
That sometimes we can shout, we can insult, we can be silent, we can sulk
We can do everything to make our second layer thicker, more hideous
We can do everything to hide the blue bag of M&Ns still good.
I understood that by removing this detritus
That by scratching up to the third layer
You could find a small bag full of treasures.
One could find a heart filled with wonders.
There are people who only take into account the first impression
Which only take into account the first layer
There are people who think they are doing well by removing the first layer
But who stop at the second, discouraged.
There are people who sometimes do not have the courage or the desire to continue scratching
To keep searching to find.
To keep exploring to discover.
I imagine a world where there is only one layer in the glass jar, the third.
I imagine a world where all other layers are invisible
Disappeared from the eyes of the other glass jars
Ceased to exist because they no longer had any interest
Because they were no longer allowed to hide the small bag full of treasures.
I imagine a world where these treasures leave the jar
To walk, to meet others, to discover others
To unite in one and the same treasure.
I imagine a world where people are interested in others
Where people go beyond uninteresting conversations
Superficial
Where people seek each other’s treasure
And do not get discouraged
I imagine a world where people ignore appearances
Ignore their prejudices
I imagine a world where everyone knows each other and others
Knows his treasure
Knows their treasure
I imagine a world where everyone is aware of everyone’s soul
Of the humanity of each
A world where everyone wants to progress
To make all the bad layers disappear from his glass jar.
And those of others.
I imagine a world without criticism
Without insults, without whispers, without contempt
I imagine a world where sadness becomes joy
Where anger becomes serenity
I imagine a world where no one is afraid to break their jar
A world where compliments
Interest in others, laughter, smiles and happiness
Fill the small sachet, which becomes clean, with the third layer.
I imagine a world where, to pierce all the defects
A radius of understanding is used
Then a ray of compassion
And a ray of smile.
I imagine a world where, to bring back the hidden wonders of each one
We illuminate the jar with a ray of love
Affection.
I imagine a world where all these rays make bridges between glass jars
Bridges of friendship, bridges of love, bridges of discovery and understanding.
Bridges that despise prejudice, that bypass the first two layers of rubbish
Bridges between relatives, friends and strangers.
My glass jar has a hidden treasure
Your glass jar has a hidden treasure
Our glass jar has only one well-hidden treasure
A treasure to be pierced with perseverance and courage
And to illuminate with love.
March 24, 2010
