Turtle

"Imagine that the whole earth was covered with water, and a man was to throw a yoke with a hole in it into the water. Blown by the wind, that yoke would drift north, south, east and west. Now, suppose that once in hundred years a blind turtle would rise to the surface. What do you think? Would that turtle put his head through the hole in the yoke as he rose to the surface once in a hundred years?"

"It is unlikely Lord."

"Well, it is just as unlikely that one will be born as a human being; it is just unlikely that a Tathagata, a Noble One, a fully enlightened Buddha should arise in the world; and it is just as unlikely that the Dhamma and discipline of the Tathagata should be taught. But now you have been born as a human being, a Tathagata has arisen and the Dhamma has been taught. Therefore, strive to realize the Four Noble Truths."

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Remember to Ask for Help

The Swing Set - The story of a man who didn't cry for help.

Mr. Jones wanted to build his son a swing set.
He needed help, but didn't want to bother anyone.
Then he realized something that left him speechless...

Mr. Jones wanted to build his son a swing set. He slaved away each evening and grew tired and irritable causing concern for his wife. "You're working so hard," she said. "Wasn't our neighbor, Mr. Williams, a carpenter when he was young? Couldn't you ask him for help?" "But Mr. Williams has done enough work in his life. I wouldn't want to bother him."

So Mr. Jones kept working, until finally the swing set was finished, and he set it up in the backyard. A few days later, Mr. Jones went outside and found Mr. Williams gazing at the swing set.

"Hi, Mr. Williams. How do you like the new swing set?" "Oh, it's wonderful. I built something like that for my son many years ago." His eyes looked sad, and Mr. Jones remembered that Mr. Williams' son had moved far away for a job.

"I wish you had told me you were building it," Mr. Williams said. "Your son is a good boy. I would have loved to help you do something nice for him." They chatted for another minute, and Mr. Jones went inside, realizing for the first time that Mr. Williams was lonely.

MORAL: Don't be afraid to ask the people around you for help - an act of kindness is a joy to both the giver and the receiver.

-- From The Good Life newsletter by Michael Mackenzie--
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