From Sue

This quote came to me from a very dear source and while not Chinese, I believe Confucious would give it his stamp of approval.
Enjoy.

May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.

May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.

May the sacredness of you work bring healing, light, and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.

May your work never weary you.

May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration, and excitement.

May you be present in what you do.

May you never become lost in the bland absences.

May the day never burden.

May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities, and promises.

May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.

May you go into the night blessed, sheltered, and protected.

May your soul calm, console, and renew you.

from Anam Cara by John O'Donohue

Fact: You Need Strong Legs For More Than Climbing the Great Wall

FRIDAY FACTS & FOLKLORE today is about the call of nature and the fact that you need strong legs in China for the most absolute, basic necessities. If you've seriously considered a trip to the PRC and done some reading about it, you've probably read about WCs (British English 'water closet') also known as Powder Rooms. Without being too personal on the blog....let's just say that many of my wildest adventures revolved around the WC.

The truth is that in the Western world, we are quite comfortable with a sitting toilet. In many other places in the world-including China-sitting toilets are few and far between and you get very strong legs learning the truly fine art of squatting. And I am not kidding, it is an art. And it does take quite a few muscles that I bet most of you blog readers will not have used up to this point in your life.

Actually...I kind of like China's WC's. And this is why: you don't have to touch anything with your hands! Isn't that awesome? And clean? Think of all the germs you've missed by not touching your skin or hands on anything in a public bathroom except the door (or, in some cases, not even touching the door, because....sorry for the reality check....sometimes there are no doors. Yeah.). That IS heartening, right?

What an experience, eh? Can you imagine the adventure to be had?
Many a full moon, yes, but.....adventure, people, adventure.