A wife looks in the mirror and sees an old woman with gray hair and sagging body. She asks her husband to say something positive about her appearance. His response is that at least her eyesight is good, implying that the rest of what she sees is accurate. This humorous exchange shows that one should be mindful of potentially hurtful speech and avoid making assumptions without proper investigation.

1. Wisdom
From A
Laugh 95
Something Positive
A husband and wife in their fifties were getting ready for
bed. The wife approached a full-length mirror and looked at
herself.
“Well, my dear,” she said to the husband. “When I look into
the mirror, all I see is an old woman with gray hair, a
wrinkled face; her shoulders are hunched, her breasts are
sagging, her body and legs are flabby. Oh dear, please tell
me something positive about myself to cheer me up.”
“Honey,” the husband remarked from the bed, “I can say for
sure that your eyesight is very good.”
Reflection
* The words one uses can hurt the feelings of
another even though the insult or ridicule may not
be direct.
* One has to be mindful of the words one uses
with others -- different people react differently and
relationships may be strained through the use of
wrong speech.
* Right Speech must have the following elements:
1. the absence of lies that bring about hurt, pain
and suffering.
2. the avoidance of slander that brings down a
person's dignity, integrity or reputation.
3. the avoidance of harsh speech that hurts the
feelings of others.
4. the avoidance of gossip and empty talk which
can through carelessness or a lack of mindfulness
cause another suffering or bring about negative
mental states in others.

2. Wisdom From
A Laugh 96
‘You are fired’
A company, feeling it was time for a shake-up, hired a new CEO.
This new boss was determined to rid the company of all slackers.
On a tour of the facilities one day, the CEO noticed a guy leaning
against the wall. The office was full of workers and he thought
that this was his chance to show everyone he meant business.
The CEO walked up to the guy and asked, “And how much
money do you make a week?”
Undaunted, the young fellow looked at him and replied, “I make
$200 a week. Why?”
The CEO then handed the guy $200 in cash and shouted,
“Here’s a week’s pay. Now GET OUT and don’t come back!”
Feeling pretty good about his first firing, the CEO looked around
the office and asked, “Can anyone tell me what work that slacker
did here?”
With a grin, one of the office workers muttered, “Pizza delivery
boy.”
Reflection
* Jumping to conclusions without proper investigation can bring
embarrassment or negative consequences to a person.
* How often have we made assumptions without a clear logical basis?
This can cause suffering mental states and interpersonal conflicts.
* People who are of a suspicious nature, the cynic, and people with
minds greatly defiled by greed, anger, hatred and delusion/egoism
often make assumptions (negatively) about other people and
happenings that bring about much Dukkha.
* One should try to apply the Teachings of The Buddha in 'The Kalama
Sutta' ( The Charter of Free Inquiry ). One's mind will then attain more
and more peace, compassion, wisdom and freedom.
* Through the Dhamma Talk titled "Assumptions" by Ajahn
Brahmavamso, one can learn some very good Dhamma. ( This
Dhamma Talk can be downloaded from the Web Site
www.bswa.org )