Once a sage was asked, “Whom should one learn from?” “From every person and situation he faces in life. Yet, he has to realize the direction of what he learns,” answered the sage. The inquirer got puzzled. He hesitated from asking what he meant, lest his cohorts think he was stupid! However, he decided to continue, “What do you mean by ‘direction of what he learns?” The sage smiled and said, “Each coin has two sides, and so does every situation. All what you have to do is choose the side you will follow.” The man answered, “I don’t think I got what you meant!”
The sage said, “For every challenge we face, there two sides, one that enhances our determination, and the other tries to overwhelm us with failure and frustration, thus, hinder us from resuming life. Choices and their consequences belong to every man. For instance, what will you do when you stumble? Some people rise to resume the way, while others rise only to see their wounds and resume their path, carrying pains and inflictions of which he moans, or stops until he heals. Consequently, he never reaches his destination. Some people see death in a handful of dust, while others see an eternity. It is all yours. Learn from each person and everything that is positive that help you live happily and peacefully.”
The sage’s words made me recall those of a child called Tana. I think she is no more than five. She was then talking to her mother who was getting ready for divorce! The girl said, “Are you ready to befriend dad?” The mother answered calmly, “Yes.” The girl resumes, “Then try not to be demanding, then. Be friends. I want everything to be close, easy, and simple. Do your best. I don’t want your marriage to end in separation, or any of you to leave again. I want you and dad to be friends.” Then, she continued uttering simple, yet profound, words, “If I can be kind to others, then I think you can be kind to each other.”
With a loving, innocent heart, and as if addressing the whole world, “Mom, dad, I want you as well as all people to be friends. I want you to smile, not to be upset. Smile. That’s what I want.” Indeed, life is all different when we receive it lovingly, and with a smile that gives the hope which imparts quietude and relief to whoever we meet. Hope resides in believing that there is still good and happiness with which can resume life.
To be continued…
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
