Sunday, August 22, 2010

Rex Barker here with,

Defining Perception...

One day a traveler was walking along a road on his journey from one village to another. As he walked he noticed a monk on the side of the road. The monk said, "Good day" to the traveler, and the traveler nodded to the monk.

The traveler then turned to the monk and said, "Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Not at all," replied the monk.

"I am traveling from the village in the mountains to the village in the valley and I was wondering if you knew what it is like in the village in the valley?"

"Tell me," said the monk, "What was your experience of the village in the mountains?"

"Dreadful," replied the traveler, "to be honest I am glad to be away from there. I found the people most unwelcoming. When I first arrived I was greeted coldly. I was never made to feel part of the village no matter how hard I tried. The villagers keep very much to themselves, they don't take kindly to strangers. So tell me, what can I expect in the village in the valley?"

"I am sorry to tell you," said the monk, "but I think your experience will be much the same there."

The traveler hung his head despondently and walked on. A while later another traveler was journeying down the same road and he also came upon the monk.

"I'm going to the village in the valley," said the second traveler, "Do you know what it is like?"

"I do," replied the monk "But first tell me - where have you come from?"

"I've come from the village in the mountains."

"And how was that?"

"It was a wonderful experience. I would have stayed if I could but I am committed to traveling on. I felt as though I was a member of the family in the village. The elders gave me much advice, the children laughed and joked with me and people were generally kind and generous. I am sad to have left there. It will always hold special memories for me. And what of the village in the valley?" he asked again.

"I think you will find it much the same" replied the monk, "Good day to you."

"Good day and thank you," the traveler replied, smiled, and journeyed on.

Reminding you, your situation often has more to do with your own outlook on it than on the external features. Have a positive attitude and the world will smile at you

7 comments:

Arkansas Patti said...

I love that and so agree.

Reanaclaire said...

Yes, think positive and the world will smile with us... thanks Patty!

Reader Wil said...

That's very true, Patty! If you smile people smile back!
You said that you suffer from allergies. I hope you haven't got hayfever?

Winifred said...

Oh so true!

Margaret Cloud said...

One thing I have experienced in life is be negative and it will come right back at you, very nice post. Thank you for coming by.

Cheryl said...

A great post indeed Patty! And so very true.

Renie Burghardt said...

True, indeed. Being positive attracts positives. Rex Barker is always so wise.

Guess your pc is back to working? I hope so.

We had a beautiful day here, and I was out enjoying it.

Have a good evening, Patty.