| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 3:17:41 AM | Desertbro: that's rich! Wear glove adn carry soap. Too bad it's true. But the simplicity of the story is exactly what makes it so good. Pure. It's a shame that we are pure in thought and deed most of the time, until we are faced with the atrocities of the real world, or the cynicism and negativity of others. If we allow their views to affect ours, we too become less like the gem inside the ball of clay, and become hardened and less "gem-like".
I don't mind being a ball of clay.
Thanks for the story OP and who ever revived it. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 4:59:05 AM | | yes that is a wonderful story op and a great analogy for this site in particular...i did chuckle at what zentral had said about discarding the clay..i interpret it differently.i believe the clay itself to be symbolic of the change in heart of our first impression..it just disappears never to be seen again. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 5:09:35 AM | Finally, something I know a little about.
This Claypot was once a ball, now reshaped, remolded to fit ME! The greatest thing of all, the gem is STILL within me, no matter what shape I become, or whoever tries to reshape me, I still carry within me the beauty and gift I was meant to be.
I always said I assorticate the clay pot with cracks, how often do you see a clay pot without cracks? Not very often. BUT, each and every crack is different, no two are the same, which leads me to believe that each pot has it's own personality, which makes each pot special. So when some one tells me I'm cracked, I agree and thank them for their complainment.
The higher we hold ourselves in honesty, to ourselves and to others, the higher up we go on the chart of quality of life. Doesn't matter if we get tossed in the water, what matters is that when that time comes, we CHOOSE to sink or swim. TRUE gems always come shining thru. IMO | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 5:58:14 AM | Unfortunately the majority of clay lumps are just that...lumps of gritty soil...
People fortunately are NOTclods of earth....
Sooo..this little tale isn't of much use when looking for a mate...
Why is it when people come across a homily like this they think it contains all the secrets of the universe?
Whatever happened to thinking for yourself? | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 7:25:57 AM |
Why is it when people come across a homily like this they think it contains all the secrets of the universe?
Whatever happened to thinking for yourself?
Did you just forget to take your happy pill today?!? sheesh....
Sometimes we all need reminding that behind the built up facades lies a true gem.
We can get so caught up with what society deems beautiful and worthy... that we
don't look deep enough.
Not at ourselves or others.
Good lesson, if you choose to listen. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 7:32:11 AM |
Did you just forget to take your happy pill today?!? sheesh....
Sometimes we all need reminding that behind the built up facades lies a true gem.
We can get so caught up with what society deems beautiful and worthy... that we
don't look deep enough.
Not at ourselves or others.
Good lesson, if you choose to listen.
Did I just catch at a certain time of the month...crumblecake...or are you always like this?
This type of homespun wisdom is good...when you aren't bringing much to the party.
Everybody else gets by w/o it. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 8:59:21 AM | | It's really easy to be negative and always make fun of other people or try to put them down. That makes sure that the clay really hardens around your heart so you can't ever be hurt. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 9:17:47 AM | The problem is that some are so busy seeking only white diamonds that they overlook the yellow diamonds thinking they are looking at broken glass....or vice versa.
There is a a treasure in all of us because we are all created in His image.
Thanks for sharing this and thanks to the person who revived it. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/16/2007 10:03:56 AM | This story reminded me of a friend who once told me I could be broken, like a fragile crystal vase; not everybody has the hard clay to protect them. And then I thought of my marriage and the broken mirror..........can't put the pieces together and have the same unity.
So, if you break the ball of clay too harshly, you might also lose the gem inside. If you are unable to skillfully open it, please through it back into the ocean......at least the gem will still be there, peaceful and alone in the deep deep sea: beautiful!
Being a piece of clay is not very flatterig, by the way.......I prefer to be a crystal vase: broken anyways, sooner or later. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/17/2007 3:48:11 PM | | Thank you OP for sharing the story of the ball of clay. I think this forum is a perfect place for it. I also think some might dig deeper into the story or see it to their own light or shadow and what it means to them. Those that have been hurt and betrayed in there life. Might see it this way, You broke my heart and stole the gem of my youth. And I have become nothing but a shell. I am sure some might see that this story is simular to a story in Scripture: We are all like cracked vessels each made differant than any other. But each is perfectly made by the maker. No two are alike. And each one can have a purpose for good. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/17/2007 6:41:28 PM | Very nice with a true meaning. Thank you for sharing.
Buck | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/17/2007 9:58:37 PM | | I think the message of this post, is about recognizing the beauty ( the gem) that lies within each and every person and loving them, just the way they are. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/18/2007 11:30:20 AM | Yeah, this story is about valuing what's inside a person. Being able to see beyond the shell of the outside to what kind of person they are ..........to me anyway.
I went through a windshield when I was 19. Before that I was just a typical cute girl who always had a boyfriend and never questioned that I would be attractive to men. But as I lay there realizing that my looks might be gone forever, it was scary. About three days later I was chatting and being my normal self with my visitor, my mother, and I saw the pain in her eyes as she was looking at my face and feeling sad for me, and yet I was happy.........I had forgotten about how I looked and I was just being ME. And it made me realize that no matter what I looked like, I was still the same person inside.
I thank God that I had that experience because it made me realize at a very young age that I never wanted to be loved for how I LOOKED because my looks could be gone in a few seconds in a car crash and I wanted someone who would love ME.........the person I was......... Luckily, within a few months, most people could never even tell I had been in a car crash but I never forgot the lesson it taught me.........
And it's a big reason why I don't lose confidence in myself or in my value even when men treat me rotten because I'm getting older now............... I've known for years, decades, that love has to go beyond just looks...........I can laugh about it and not take it personally...........I know that real love is based on what is inside each person....... And it can never be destroyed by age.......... | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/18/2007 4:18:06 PM | | This is why we must look and listen with our hearts. It is stitched to another thread--how a person sometimes becomes more attractive the better we know them. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/18/2007 4:25:38 PM | wow .. this is a great thread too! .. reminds me of a story a friend sent me ..I think he was insinuating that i'm somewhat cracked!!! lol .. I like the story anyway!
THE CRACKED POT
Once upon a time there was a man whose job was to bring water from the stream to his Master's house. The man carried the water from the stream in two clay pots. He hung the pots on each end of a pole, which he carried across his shoulders, to and from the stream many times a day.
One of the clay pots was perfect in every way for its purpose. The other pot was exactly like the first one, but it had a crack in it and it leaked. When the water bearer reached his Master's house, the perfect pot was always full, and the cracked pot was always half full.
The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, and it boasted loudly. It criticized the cracked pot for its failures, and reminded it that despite his efforts, the water bearer could only deliver half a pot of water due to his cracks. The poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfections, and was miserable that it could only accomplish half of what it was supposed to do.
One day the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer. "I want to apologize to you. Because of my cracked side I've only been able to deliver half of the water to your Master's home, and you don't get the full value from your efforts."
The water bearer smiled on the cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the Master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
Indeed as they climbed the path from the river to the Master's mansion the cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful flowers along one side of the path, and it felt somewhat brighter. But when they reached their destination and the water in the half-empty pot was poured out, his sadness returned. "Thank you for trying to cheer me up with the beautiful flowers, water bearer," The pot spoke. " But I still must apologize for my failure."
The water bearer said, "Dear pot, you haven't understood what I was trying to show you. Did you notice that the flowers only grew on your side of the path? That's because of your crack. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and everyday as we walked from the stream the water that leaks from your pot has watered them. I could have got a new pot, but I preferred to gather the flowers, and with them to bless many tables."
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Takes all kinds of clay to make all kinds of pots. There isn't any that is 'crack proof' .. what would be the fun in that?
A.S.is
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/18/2007 8:48:20 PM |
This is why we must look and listen with our hearts. It is stitched to another thread--how a person sometimes becomes more attractive the better we know them.
This is so true.......what is outside attractiveness if the inside isn't attractive too?
I've found myself many times sitting and talking with someone I originally thought I wasn't attracted to.......but the sound of his voice, and the joy in his laugh, and the confidence he had won me over. At the first look we just see the outside, it's when we're smart enough to take the time to know the person inside-out that we find the treasure that can change our lives.
Zip  | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/18/2007 10:01:10 PM | I think you might be awfully busy trying to keep that knight in his shining armour looking good all the time by polishing and buffing his silver suit, instead of getting to know the real person hiding inside. Oh well. 
Pink | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 12/19/2007 4:17:36 PM |
I think the message of this post, is about recognizing the beauty ( the gem) that lies within each and every person and loving them, just the way they are.
I got that message also. And that Msg 38 about the "cracked pot" is really enjoyable.
Some say that there are incorrigibles out there, but I don't agree with that. I think everyone's basically good and beautiful inside. Sometimes we all mess up.  | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 1/10/2008 1:26:37 AM | Nice story and analogy.
People are very superficial. And someone pointed out, even if they found a gem, they'd still throw it away for a "better, bigger gem."
People don't take the time to understand each other.
I've yet to meet someone on this site who was genuine. I've had contact to two "psychos". We had great emails and talked on the phone and were just about to meet when i get a message that "it was over." and "I've moved on." "Don't call me anymore." I guess they found another guy and strung me along till they could find "better" whatever that means. I found it extremely rude. And I called them on it.
No response. I've also been on dates (from other dating sites) where the girl knows exactly what I look like, only to immediately pass judgment on me when they meet me in person. I don't look different than my posted picture. And my personality hasn't changed. I'm doing all the talking and being funny. These girls said they didn't believe in love at first site and said they were into being friends for a while before forming an opinion. Not these girls. All liars. Welcome to Hollywood. (I come from Chicago where woman were not rude like this). | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 1/10/2008 2:56:23 AM | I too had this story sent to me once before.
Yes..he learned that the outside appearance is not how one should make a basis for finding people..but to look beyond..or into others and find the true beauty.
I would agree with the story..if I were here to just collect friends..but..I'm not. I'm looking for just one gem to appreciate and value..forever..and want the same in return. To me..he just seems selfish in wanting more..and more..and more. Never satisfied. This is a prime example of what I seem to be finding with the men I've dated from here. I was talking with one man on an IM..he was looking for LTR..yet..he was talking on another IM with 2 other women. He wanted all of us. Player! JMO
Anyone else seeing this?
What's with the gem collecting..back-up?
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 1/10/2008 3:16:45 AM | If I am going to date a "jeweler" he had darn well better give me the keys to the store............. | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 1/10/2008 7:48:45 AM |
I read this story last year when a friend sent it to me in an email. I was inspired, so I went down to the beach and threw stones at people, hoping they would get the message. They didn't. The police were called. I was able to avoid jail but at some expense. Please, don't make the same mistake. Thanks for providing a much-needed respite from the overly-serious, sappy and soggy-sweet inspirationals/devotionals that pepper my email inbox with the frequency of low-interest bankcard offers, hahahoho!
As for me, I would have taken 'em balls and gone duckpin bowlin'  | |
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| I'm a ball of clay!!
Posted: 1/10/2008 9:19:19 AM |
You learn something new every day. Note to self: Be sure the quest for my ideal man includes plenty of ball-busting.
Best response EVER!!   | |
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