HERE YOU GROW AGAIN

"You're having problems? No problem." That's what we need to tell ourselves when we begin to feel overwhelmed. And then remind ourselves that the only people who don't have troubles are gathered in peaceful, little neighborhoods. There is never a care, never a moment of stress and never an obstacle to ruin their day. All is calm. All is serene. Most towns have at least one such worry-free zone. We call them cemeteries.
But if you're still breathing, you have difficulties. It's the way of life. And believe it or not, most of your problems may actually be better for you than you think.

Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. "I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful," a traveler observed. "Why is this?"

The guide gave an interesting answer: "The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms - surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces." Then he added this telling note: "That's the way it is with every living organism."

That's how it is with people. Challenged and tested, we come alive. Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness.

So, you have problems - no problem. Just tell yourself, "There I grow again!"

THE MIRROR

There was once a monk who would carry a mirror where ever he went. A priest noticed this one day and thought to himself “This monk must be so preoccupied with the way he looks that he has to carry that mirror all the time. He should not worry about the way he looks on the outside, it’s what’s inside that counts.” So the priest went up to the monk and asked “Why do you always carry that mirror?” thinking for sure this would prove his guilt.

The monk pulled the mirror from his bag and pointed it at the priest. Then he said “I use it in times of trouble. I look into it and it shows me the source of my problems as well as the solution to my problems.”

THE BOWL

The Master once told the story of a priceless antique bowl that fetched a fortune at a public auction. It had been used by a tramp who ended his days in poverty, quite unaware of the value of the bowl with which he begged for pennies. When a disciple asked the Master what the bowl stood for, the Master said, “Your self!”

Asked to elaborate, he said, “All your attention is focused on the penny knowledge you collect from books and teachers. You would do better to pay attention to the bowl in which you hold it.”

DEALING WITH ANGER, ENVY & INSULT

Near Tokyo lived a great Samurai, now old, who decided to teach Zen Buddhism to young people.

One afternoon, a warrior – known for his complete lack of scruples – arrived there. The young and impatient warrior had never lost a fight. Hearing of the Samurai’s reputation, he had come to defeat him, and increase his fame. All the students were against the idea, but the old man accepted the challenge.

All gathered on the town square, and the young man started insulting the old master. He threw a few rocks in his direction, spat in his face, shouted every insult under the sun – he even insulted his ancestors.

For hours, he did everything to provoke him, but the old man remained impassive. At the end of the afternoon, by now feeling exhausted and humiliated, the impetuous warrior left.

Disappointed by the fact that the master had received so many insults and provocations, the students asked: “How could you bear such indignity? Why didn’t you use your sword, even knowing you might lose the fight, instead of displaying your cowardice in front of us all?”

“If someone comes to you with a gift, and you do not accept it, who does the gift belong to?” – asked the old Samurai.

“He who tried to deliver it.” – replied one of his disciples.

“The same goes for envy, anger and insults.” – said the master. “When they are not accepted, they continue to belong to the one who carried them.”

Dreams

many of us live under the expectations of our parents, teachers and friends when young. We seldom get to do the things that we really like and love and are under so much pressure and stress  that by the age of 20, we get tired and decide to dump this load. Being free of the stress and pressure, we work enthusiastically and dream ambitious wishes. But by the time we reach 40 years old, we start to lose our vision and dreams. We begin to feel unsatisfied and start to complain and criticize.

We live life as a misery as we are never satisfied. Reaching 60, we realize that we have little left for complaining anymore, and we begin to walk the final episode in peace and calmness. We think that there is nothing left to disappoint us, only to realize that we could not rest in peace because we have an unfulfilled dream ...... a dream we abandoned 60 years ago. 

So what is your dream? Follow your dreams, so that you will not live with regrets.

Isn't it strange that people do not let go of things they are so fond of ? It could be a relationship or things they treasure ? Life is so ironic as when people actually fall in love at first sight and then next they find it has turned sour. 

Why does it happen ? No one knows for sure.There could be many reasons. It could be just coincidence. Or it could be very nature of human beings, which does not allow people to let go. Or is it decided by GOD Almighty ? What is popularly called as fate ?

The illogical sense of reasoning of humans obviously does not provide any answer or reasoning The reality is it is the feelings that work for people. Within you, what is of importance is how you feel about others and not  how they feel about you. It is not reciprocal. 

Sages have been advising from time immemorial " Life is all about letting go.' But do we really let go ?

The fact is that letting go is the most hardest things in life. No matter how much we hold back, tears will always be there.

Random Thoughts

WHY THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE

We look hither and yon, and pine for what we've not/ Our deepest longings are never for what we've got...