I recently read an article from the World Health Organization (WHO) that left me stunned: suicide is the fourth leading cause of death. It’s alarming to learn that 1 in 4 people worldwide will face a mental illness at some point in their lives. This really made me reflect on how deeply sorrow and sadness have taken root in so many lives today. People often find themselves preoccupied with various worries, be it materialistic or relationships. In doing so, they can lose sight of the beauty of life and forget to embrace the present moment, allowing unnecessary emotions to weigh heavily on their minds.I’ve also observed that children are often overly pampered, which can lead them to become more sensitive as they grow up. They may develop a fear of failure and struggle to maintain their confidence.
When I noticed this happening with my son, I spoke to my wife about it and suggested that we change our approach. I made sure to tell my son that it’s perfectly okay to fail. I encouraged him to put in his best effort and assured him that even if things don’t go as planned, there are always alternatives to consider. It’s essential for parents to guide the younger generation in overcoming challenges. I’ve also noticed that even strong individuals can sometimes lose confidence and feel anxious. If you encounter someone in this situation, it’s important to listen to them. Often, they don’t need advice; they just want someone to acknowledge their feelings and say, “I’m here for you. Don’t worry, things will get better.” Those simple words can have a profound impact and inspire positive change. Its important to guide on how to deal with sorrow and sadness, be it a child, youth or elderly.
This brought to mind two stories. One day, a man approached a monk and said, “I have so many worries that I can’t find happiness at any moment.” The monk asked him to share his concerns. The man replied, “I have a good crop, but I’m worried it might dry up. I have a house and two children, and I fear that if I die, they’ll fight over my assets. As I grow older, I worry about becoming bedridden with no one to care for me. If my crops fail, I might have to sell the farm, and then my wife could leave me.” After listening to all his worries, the monk said, “Come back tomorrow morning, and I’ll offer a solution for all your problems.”
The next day, the man returned to meet the monk and noticed that the monk himself appeared troubled, with a glass of milk in front of him. Curious, the man asked, “Monk, you seem worried—may I ask what’s troubling you? Perhaps I can help.” The monk replied, “I have this glass of milk, and I’m worried that it might spill, or that a cat might come and drink it. I’m also concerned that it could spoil before I get to it, or that one of my disciples might drink it if I turn away.”
Hearing this, the man burst out laughing and said, “The glass is right in front of you! Why focus on all these negative possibilities? You can simply enjoy it and satisfy your hunger.”
The monk replied, “That’s true. You have a good crop, a nice home, two wonderful children, a loving wife, and you’re healthy. So why worry about the future? Focus on caring for your crops, spend time with your family, and take care of your health and home.”
The man paused to reflect and then left with a clear mind, realizing he should start living in the moment, letting go of his worries, and enjoying with what he has and around him. So understand that there will be challenges in life, but its about how we perceive. Don’t just look at only sorrows, look at what is positive around and your life will tend to be better.
Now, let’s look at the second story. There was a crow sitting in a tree, crying. As its tears fell, they landed on a saint sitting below. The saint looked up and asked the crow, “Why are you crying?” The crow replied, “No one cares for me. When I go somewhere, people shoo me away, and I struggle to find food. I see the swan, so beautiful and well-liked, living a happy life.”
The saint responded, “I can turn you into a swan with my powers, but you must first ask the swan if it’s truly happy.” The crow, filled with hope, flew off to find the swan.
Upon meeting the swan, the crow asked, “Do you enjoy life?” The swan replied, “No, I’m not happy. I have no color; white is dull, and I’m always confined to ponds. I wish I were a parrot.”
The crow pondered this and sought out the parrot. “You look so colorful, and people adore you. Do you live a happy life?” the crow asked. The parrot replied, “I worry every day. Because of my colors, I fear being caught and caged. I wish I were a peacock.”
Intrigued, the crow set off to find a peacock, which it spotted in a zoo, surrounded by onlookers. When the crowd dispersed, the crow asked the peacock, “You seem happy.” The peacock responded, “My beauty keeps me here in the zoo. People come to see me daily. If I rest, the keepers think I’m sick and intervene. I wish I were like you—free to fly and explore without the fear of being caged.”
After hearing this, the crow returned to the saint and said, “I’m grateful for who I am. I’ve realized that my life is better as it is, and I will embrace it.” With newfound happiness, the crow flew away to live life fully.
So, dear readers, we often worry about trivial matters and overlook the true joy in life. If you write down your sorrows and the reasons behind them, you’ll find they often stem from your own thoughts and actions. In contrast, if you list your sources of happiness—like family, friends, and achievements—you’ll likely find they far outweigh your worries. Embrace a happy life; it all depends on how you perceive your journey. So now, “Rethink, Rise—Stop Worrying, Live in the Moment.“
