Baja Bernie - 1-27-2007 at 09:12 PM
A Path of Perceptions
By Bernie Swaim
Two men meet on the path of life, one heading south, the other going north to Otra Lado.
Approaching they nod politely, and smiling, greet each other. “Buenos dias. Como esta es usted?” “Muy bueno y usted?” Their shared language exhausted
one looks at the ground while the other watches a cloud float by. Looking up the man with the battered white hat asks the guy wearing the baseball
cap about his health. The blonde guy responds by asking after the darker man’s family. All of this is said without a spoken word. Simply a smile, a
gesture, a nod, and a wave. A shrug of the shoulders. A laugh and a handshake. Nothing more is needed.
This is Baja!
Parting, one trudges north as the other ambles south. Both men seeking a new and different life. One’s hope is for a decent job and a way to provide
for his family’s future. For the other it is a dream of peace and contentment in a land where time has little meaning and the sun almost always
shines.
Acknowledging and celebrating each other’s sameness and differences—these men have found the meaning of Baja. Dreaming, Sharing, and Caring.
I am ashamed that I wrote this for it said so little of the truth of Baja and what it really means to so many folks.
Sallysouth - 1-27-2007 at 10:02 PM
Oh Bernie! Why in the world would you be ashamed of this poignant, beautiful piece? I love it and it says so much without having to say too
much......Gracias Amigo, I remembered it well. ,Sally(south)
longlegsinlapaz - 1-28-2007 at 08:16 AM
ASHAMED???? It
expresses a very important part of part of the philosophy of Baja! All seemingly small truths make up the "whole"!! The size of a truth doesn't
diminish the importance of it! We can be; after all; our harshest critics, suffice it to say you knew what you were talking about when you wrote
it....it's your self-critique that's bad!!
Long Legs
Baja Bernie - 1-28-2007 at 06:19 PM
Confucius say self criticism is good for soul. Ah! So wearing shoes is good for sole too.
Thank you and Sallysouth for smiling upon my humble efforts.
DENNIS - 1-28-2007 at 06:26 PM
I dont know about that quote, Bernie. I think he might have said that," soul is good for self criticism".
Either way, you are as wise as Confucious or, he is as wise as you.
I prefer the latter.