The Obstacle in our Path...
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.
Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables.
Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.
After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.
The purse contained many gold coins, and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never understand:
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables.
Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.
After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.
The purse contained many gold coins, and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never understand:
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
posted by Nian Long at 4/29/2006 02:45:00 PM
3 Comments:
i think otherwise... more like.. "when u see a problem, fix it - chances are it may be for the better of everyone else other than just yourself."
Sorta speaking in an altruistic manner.
I get the point of the story, but i dun think his situation improved by getting tt bag of gold - it imporoved because he could move his cart along. if he didn't have the cart, i think he would by pass it too. (unless he was altruistic.)
i think otherwise... more like.. "when u see a problem, fix it - chances are it may be for the better of everyone else other than just yourself."
Sorta speaking in an altruistic manner.
I get the point of the story, but i dun think his situation improved by getting tt bag of gold - it imporoved because he could move his cart along. if he didn't have the cart, i think he would by pass it too. (unless he was altruistic.)
-alex
You could see it from that view point as an altruitic gesture. I would agree with that.
Certainly, if you've been in the Armed Forces and had to do enough fieldwork...there would bound to be times when you KNOW that the individual is NEVER enough (And this is CERTAINLY contrary to Capitalistic-Individualism).
For example...you've got an inspection...and everyone's packing their stuff, minding their own business. Some people are done, and are hanging about, watching others slog over their own packing. Some of these who have finished are lazing about, being very self-satisfied at their own 'quickness' at getting the job done.
And then, there are some who take the step to approach a mate who is still packing, and taking the initiative to ask if he is missing anything, and needs anything to be sorted out for him.
Can you say this is an "obstacle" in your path?
Perhaps - If you're simply keen on being the FIRST for having done your share, and to show the Platoon Sergeant that "Hey, look at me...I'm so efficient. Award me with a Night-Out".
But, really. If you don't help the person, what will it reflect on about you (other than your efficiency)? Others will think,"Ah well...there's that guy again...done with his own, and minding his own".
It wouldn't matter for a week, a month, or even a year. It wouldn't matter if we were all at peace with other countries.
BUT: When the time comes (And I stress the word "WHEN", not "IF" - because we WILL face challenges) to "fight the good fight" (as some faithful traditional service go-ers would know the hymn to the self-same name), we'd be thinking to ourselves WHO would we be supporting in battle.
Certainly, the guy who came over first thing after his own problems were settled would come to your mind.
Let me ask you...WHO would immediately think about the person who thought not of your struggles, but of his own comfort? Who? (Be honest now...its only yourself you kid).
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