Compassion is aspiring to help all beings. Wisdom is . . .

“Beans . . . beans . . . beans . . .”

We heard our white-haired host repeating the above as he walked out of the kitchen and down the hallway, where he disappeared into a room. When he returned to the kitchen, he was holding a can of beans. 

Finding us looking at him, he laughed contagiously and explained that it was his “mind’s way of exercising his body.” As our host opened his coveted can of beans, he explained that he had turned the closet into a backup pantry. And he chuckled again. 

Now, he could have felt embarrassed at having launched into his “beans, beans, beans” soliloquy in front of an audience. 

He could have been dejected about how his memory wasn’t as sharp as it once was. 

He could have gotten angry. 

He was none of these. At some point in time, he decided not to give in to anger, sadness, or wistfulness when faced with declining faculties. He would use humor. What a delightful gift, not only for himself but for all those around him!

Even in the face of accidents, there is choice.

The most important person 

arrives last.

I heard this one night on a stationary bus, where the passengers were waiting impatiently for the bus to start off. Suddenly, a man dashed into view, hastening up the bus. This person was apparently familiar to the driver, who shook his head and muttered, “The most important person arrives last.” 

This very brief statement, a saying that I had never heard before, has remained with me.

In many formalities, from award shows to government ceremonies, protocol calls for a buildup in status until, at last—the most essential person appears.

Most of us are not this person. 

Our real place in the scheme of things acknowledged, we need to ask ourselves whether we habitually run late, like that flustered man. If not, great. But if we do, then we might ask ourselves if we really want to announce to all involved that our time is more valuable than theirs. 

That we are the most important person!