2024 1114 賣菜老伯伯：慈悲 Compassion
2024 1114 賣菜老伯伯：慈悲 Compassion
在擁擠的人群中，他像一棵大樹，立在那兒，不管旁邊的攤販如何吆喝叫賣著，他就是靜靜地等待。
在傳統市場裡，人們有著共同的行進動線的默契，當然，也有混亂的時候，但，大多數我們總是習慣從入口的右邊開始，一攤攤的逛，然後走到自己覺得可以回頭的點時，再往回走，再逛起另一邊的攤位。
這傳統市場是我這兩年採買食材的地方。
一開始覺好大，現在依然，沒有一次有全程走完，逛完的。
傳統市場就是如此，多去幾次，嘗試購買不同攤位後，自己喜歡的、習慣的攤位差不多也就拿捏準了，後來的採買就是抓緊一個原則，快，狠、準，從入口開始直接衝去目的攤位，盯上，拿起，付錢，轉身，離開，沒多停留的。
可從前兩個月，注意到了這位賣菜的伯伯，第一次看到，沒跟他買，可能我去的時間太晚了，他賣菜板車上剩下的菜，乾乾扁扁的，感覺不能再放。
可，我買菜挑選的需求是可以再放幾天的，一次吃不完那樣多的呀。
再來注意到老伯伯是在颱風後的採買。
每攤的青菜價格都高得嚇壞人，可每個老闆都說，颱風後，有青菜可以採買已是難得，物稀價當然貴。
我忍痛拿出荷包的紙鈔，買了一小把青菜，這確定是有益身體健康，怎我覺買這把青菜，我的心臟好痛。
這樣一小把的葉菜不夠我未來幾天的人體需求，突然之間聽到老伯伯說，一籃菜50元，不論是哪一種菜。
天呀！
我問伯伯，您這樣有賺嗎？
他的聲音輕輕的，有點沙啞，說，沒有。颱風剛過，大家都辛苦了，他有去大盤批菜，就出來賣。大家吃新鮮，吃的開心，這次沒有賺，沒有關係。
老伯伯的菜，比一般菜攤的菜看起來老，長比較大，大部分的人買菜喜歡挑嫩一點的。
我覺老伯伯的心意，讓人感動，我挑了兩盆。
伯伯幫我將菜裝進袋子裡的同時，有其他人靠近了。
結果，我開始幫老伯伯推銷他的菜。
伯伯聽到後對我微微笑。
沒多久，伯伯的菜賣掉了九成。
不是我很會叫賣，實在是老伯伯賣的價錢便宜。
回來後，我趁新鮮川燙了其中一種菜，青江菜。
看起來個頭大，可口感不粗糙，菜的纖維沒有想像中的老，不會不好咀嚼，是很可以的。
於是，這次，我特地去找老伯伯買菜。
一樣的身影，一樣的裝扮，一樣的板車，一樣一籃籃的菜，然後，一樣的寧靜。
結果，一樣，忍不住在其他客人靠近時，幫老伯伯叫賣。
沒想到，這時有位歐巴桑，推擠著老伯伯說，老伯伯擋住她的客人了？！
伯伯的面前是我，我回頭看，沒有人站在我後面啊。
這位歐巴桑說的客人，是？？？
伯伯也沒跟歐巴桑理論。
歐巴桑動手把伯伯的板車往旁邊挪動，又往前推，我趕緊跳到旁邊，免得撞到。
然後歐巴桑推著她的板車經過我時，叨唸著，她一直走來走去，轉來轉去，就是轉不到她的客人前面去。
我自己翻譯成，她一直走來走去，轉來轉去，但都沒有客人上前去。
看了歐巴桑賣的東西，我也只能說抱歉，無法跟她購買呀。
她賣的是痠痛藥膏，這不是我的菜呀。
回家後，老伯伯的身影一直盤繞在腦海裡。
想請宇宙送給老伯伯祝福 ~ 願他安康，願他祥和，願他福氣，願他無生無量。
宇宙送給老伯伯的塔羅牌祝福是【慈悲 Compassion】。
哇！有沒有覺得宇宙、高我、能量、磁場以及塔羅很奇妙。
在總共88張的塔羅牌裡，抽到的牌卡就是如此呼應著老伯伯的調性。
宇宙覺老伯伯的慈悲與祥和是讓人景仰與推崇的。
在世為人，慈悲為懷，虛懷若谷，體諒諒解，寬容包容，這是溫暖的力量，是慈悲祥和的力量，是愛的力量。
November 14, 2024 – The Vegetable Vendor: Compassion
Amid the crowded marketplace, he stands like a large tree, rooted in place, quietly waiting while other vendors shout and call to attract customers.
In the traditional market, there's an unspoken understanding of the flow of foot traffic, though it can be chaotic at times. Most people start from the right side of the entrance, browsing from stall to stall until they reach a point they consider a turning-back spot, then retrace their steps to explore the stalls on the other side.
This market has been my go-to spot for grocery shopping over the past two years. Initially, it felt overwhelmingly large, and even now, I have yet to walk through it in its entirety in a single visit.
That's the nature of traditional markets; with each visit, I experiment with different vendors, gradually narrowing down my favorites. Eventually, I adopted a routine: entering, heading directly to the targeted stalls, picking up items, paying, and leaving—no lingering.
Two months ago, though, I noticed an elderly vegetable vendor. The first time I saw him, I didn’t buy anything; I was probably too late, and the vegetables left on his cart were somewhat wilted, seemingly unable to last much longer. I prefer produce that I can store for a few days, enough to be used gradually.
The next time I noticed him was after a typhoon. Vegetable prices had skyrocketed across all stalls, and vendors explained that post-typhoon greens were scarce and therefore expensive. I reluctantly handed over my cash for a small bundle, painfully aware of the cost for the sake of health.
That small bundle wasn’t nearly enough for my needs over the coming days. Then, I overheard the elderly vendor say, “One basket of vegetables, 50 dollars, any kind you want.” I was taken aback!
I asked him, "Are you making any profit this way?"
With a soft, slightly hoarse voice, he replied, “No. It’s right after the typhoon; everyone’s going through tough times. I managed to get some greens at wholesale, so I brought them out for people to enjoy fresh and happy meals. I won’t make a profit this time, and that’s okay.”
His vegetables were more mature and larger than what most shoppers would typically pick, as many prefer tender greens. But I was moved by his kindness and sincerity and chose two baskets. While he packed the vegetables for me, others began approaching his stall. I found myself helping to promote his vegetables.
Hearing my efforts, he gave me a gentle smile. Soon, 90% of his vegetables were sold—not because I’m good at marketing but because his prices were simply reasonable.
When I got home, I blanched one of the greens—bok choy. Although large, it was surprisingly tender and easy to chew. So, this time, I specifically went back to find the elderly vendor.
There he was, with the same demeanor, same attire, same cart, and same quiet presence. Once again, I couldn’t help but encourage other customers to buy from him.
Unexpectedly, a middle-aged woman suddenly shoved him, complaining that he was blocking her customers. I was standing in front of him and looked back—there was no one behind me. So, who exactly were her “customers”?
Without arguing, the vendor allowed her to push his cart aside. I quickly stepped aside, avoiding a collision as she maneuvered her own cart past me, muttering about how she couldn’t manage to position herself in front of her customers. I interpreted her mutterings as her frustration with not attracting customers. I looked at her goods, which turned out to be pain-relief ointment—definitely not something on my shopping list.
Back home, the elderly vendor’s figure lingered in my mind. I silently sent a blessing to him, hoping the universe would grant him health, harmony, fortune, and boundless peace.
The Tarot card blessing from the universe for the vendor is Compassion. Isn’t it marvelous how the universe, our higher selves, energy, the magnetic field, and Tarot align in such a magical way? Out of 88 cards, the one drawn resonated perfectly with his spirit.
The universe acknowledges the vendor’s compassion and serenity as qualities to be admired. In this world, living with compassion, embracing humility, and showing understanding and tolerance for others embody a warm power—a power of compassionate serenity, the power of love.
