Apples

        "A red fruit is a strange subject, but sometimes we have to break out of pre-formed molds and think along different paths and in different ways. When you mention a word which is the name of something commonly known and not in itself of unusual notice, the word just flows by. Of course, if you are hungry and you are asking for an apple, then it has more importance, but if it is as it is, how do you react? Why should you react? Seeing something that is 'every-day' and common automatically causes us to react in such a way that is it usually overlooked. Part of this non-reaction makes sense because we cannot constantly react to all things or we would be on overload in our thinking and in our emotions.

        An apple comes in many varieties, and in different colors. When the word is said, what color comes to mind? The one which is most common or perhaps the one which the individual likes to eat the most. As with most foods, it can be eaten in different ways depending on its preparation. The more we use a particular food, the more common it becomes until we, for the most part, take it for granted. Yet an apple can be looked at in different categories. Perhaps an artist wants to paint it for the shape or color or add it to a scene. Then, depending on how the apple is painted, we either see the painting as a whole scene or we focus on the apple as the center of attention.

        The apple can be a symbol and can be used in stories. It then becomes a representation of something else. So to look at something commonplace is to miss the range of what a particular thing is,or can be, unless time is taken to think on it. To jump mentally, we can move toward the Self. We often take ourselves for granted. It seems that 'close calls' with death or near accidents often wake us up, or we go through some loss or sudden change and we become aware of the Self in a different way. We can see, feel the difference. We are no longer what we were. A starting point of awareness is to look at the Self and see what you see. Compare You with who you were a year ago or more. Look at the total picture and see where you fit in or focus on You as an individual. See the colors of You as You express yourself to the world. What do you symbolize? Is it one particular thing above all else or is it a combination of various symbols? Does it change often or is there a particular foundation that stays constant? Who have you become?

        As a mental exercise, look at the things - a little at a time - that you think of as a common thing. See how it is in its totality. Expand your awareness of what it can be. Expand your awareness of what you can be."