We want everything but the consequences. That mantra can be applied to so many of the steps we stumble on as we journey along our path of life – business, personal, even spiritual – it doesn’t matter, we must bear the fruit of our actions. That is why Wisdom has urged people throughout ages to ponder well before choosing a course of action; this especially true when anger is involved. This week’s Inspiration features a Chinese fable that is based upon an ancient proverb urging caution before kindling a fire against another for often you will find yourself burnt more than your intended victim.
One day Woo Sing’s father brought home a mirror from the great city.
Woo Sing had never seen a mirror before. It was hung in the room while he was out at play, so when he came in he did not understand what it was, and thought he saw another boy.
This made him very happy, for he thought the boy had come to play with him.
He spoke to the stranger in a very friendly way, but he received no reply.
He laughed and waved his hand at the boy in the glass, who did the same thing, in exactly the same way.
Then Woo Sing thought, “I will go closer. It may be that he does not hear me.” But when he began to walk, the other boy imitated him.
Woo Sing stopped to think about these stranger actions, and he said to himself, “This boy mocks me; he does everything that I do.” And the more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and soon he noticed that the boy became angry too.
So, Woo Sing grew very much enraged and struck the boy in the glass, but he only hurt his hand and he went crying to his father.
The father said, “The boy you saw was your own image. This should teach you an important lesson, my son. Try not to lose your temper with other people. You struck the boy in the glass and only hurt yourself.
Now, remember that in real life when you strike without cause you will hurt yourself most of all.”
Have an AWE-full Weekend. Stay Cool!
William “Bill” Bacque