An old man saw a scorpion drowning and decided to pull it out from the water. He calmly puts his hand to reach the creature, when he did, the scorpion stung him... With the effect of the pain, the old man let go the creature and it fell back into the water. The old man realising that the scorpion was drowning again, got back and tried to rescue it but then again it stung him. He let go it again..... A young boy standing by approached the old man and said; "Excuse me sir, you are going to hurt yourself trying to save the evil, vicious creature, why do you insist? Don't you realise that each time you try to help the scorpion it stings you? The Man replied; "The nature of the scorpion is to sting and mine is to help". It will not change in helping the scorpion. So the man thought for a while and used a leaf from a nearby tree and pulled the scorpion out from the water and saved it's life... Then turning to the young boy, he said... "Do not change your nature. If someone hurts you, just take precautions;
Let your conscience be your guide in whatever you do.
A professor was teaching his students about anger. He asked, why do people shout at each other in anger when they are upset? The students reasoned, one said we shout because we lose our calm but the professor asked again, why shout when the other person is just next to you? Isn't it possible to just speak with a soft voice? Why do we have to shout at others when we are angry?" The students gave some other answers but none satisfied the professor. Finally he explained whenever two people are angry at each other, their hearts have psychologically distanced themselves from each other and to cover such distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they become, the harder they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance. The professor then further asked, what happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, why? It is because their hearts are psychologically knitted. The distance between them is very short. The professor continued, when they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, but only whisper and the closer they further become in love, they only look at each other to communicate. So next time you shout at a loved one or a colleague, note that you are indirectly creating a distance between your hearts. The true test of growth in our lives is not always found in what we say, but largely in what we choose NOT to say. Even though we may have every right to respond harshly to someone who has wronged us personally, please learn to recall how many times you have been spared in spite of your imperfections. Grace empowers us to approach each day in reflection on things we may have taken for granted. In appreciation for all that you have been given, choose to give up your right to hold offense against others. Your capacity to thrive in life will be a direct reflection of your ability to forgive and forget because "Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget".
Have a great week!
